Gordon "Gordy" C. Kelly

Gordon "Gordy" Charles Kelly was born August 13, 1929, in Hibbing, MN, to Harold and Delia (Gravelle) Kelly. Gordon graduated from Hibbing High School in 1947. After going to trade school in Duluth, MN, for carpentry, Gordy worked for his dad's construction company.

Gordy joined the US Navy in 1950, and served one and a half years in Guam, where he worked in the Naval Communication Division. He then served on an ammunition ship near Sasebo, Nagasaki, Japan, during the Korean War. He was later stationed in Bayonne, NJ, where he worked in Exchange. Gordy was honorably discharged in 1954.

In 1956, Gordy married Helen Gutzwiller at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing. During their time in Hibbing, they had two sons, Kevin and Scott.

In 1961, the family moved to Moorhead, MN, where Paul, their third son, was born. Gordy went to work for Meinecke-Johnson. He retired as a project foreman in 1994, after thirty-two years of service.

For many years, Gordy enjoyed bowling. He also enjoyed working in his woodworking shop where he made items for Helen, his boys, his "daughters", grandchildren, other relatives and friends. He loved to play cards whenever the opportunity was there. During their marriage, Gordy and Helen took numerous bus trips to places in the United States and Canada.

Under the care of his loving family, Gordy died peacefully Sunday, April 19, 2015, in his home in Moorhead, at eighty-five years of age.

Gordy is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Helen; sons, Scott (Cathy), Cannon Falls, MN, and Paul (Fonda), Moorhead; daughter-in-law, Debbie Kelly, Fargo, ND; former daughter-in-law, Janet Kelly, Moorhead; eight grandchildren, Lisa Kelly, West Fargo, ND, Sarah Kelly, Moorhead, Mary Kelly, Cannon Falls, Stephen (Emily) Kelly, Hastings, MN, Michael Kelly, Cannon Falls, Angela Kelly, Bloomington, MN, Thomas Kelly, Cannon Falls, and Rebecca Kelly, Cannon Falls; two great-grandchildren, Heidi and Norbert Kelly, Hastings.

Gordy is also survived by sisters-in-law, Ruth (Jim) Hanley, Hibbing, Louise (Larry) Ochsner, Buhl, MN, Sandy Gutzwiller, Brooklyn Park, MN, Jean Kelly, Fargo, and JoAnne Kelly, California; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents; oldest son, Kevin; and brothers, Wayne and Harold.

The family would like to thank the yellow team staff of Hospice of the Red River Valley for their assistance in taking care of Gordy during the last several months. Also, a special thank you to Janet, Sarah, Mary, and Sandy for tending to Gordy's personal needs.

Memorials are preferred to the Roger Maris Cancer Center or other charity of your choice.

Visitation for Gordy will be Thursday, April 23, 2015, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

The Funeral Mass will be Friday, April 24, 2015, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Burial, with full military honors, will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.