Edwin Kelley

He was born on March 29, 1936, in Crookston, Minn., to the late Gordon and Helen (Boylan) Kelley. Edwin grew up in Crookston, Minn., with his three sisters. Ed met his wife, the love of his life, Janet (Brey) Kelley, and they were married on May 18, 1963, at St. Mary’s Parish in Florence. They raised their five children in Florence.

Ed spent his early years raising mink with his father. He joined the service in January 1959 and served with the United States Army and was part of the American Legion. Edwin went on to work construction in Milwaukee until he took a job at the Groveland Mine in Felch. After the mine closed, he worked for the Town of Florence and then at the Niagara Paper Mill until he retired.

Edwin spent most of his life serving Florence County. He served as a county board member for 52 years. He was recognized by the Wisconsin County Forest Association (WCFA) for proudly representing Florence County for 41 years. He also served as a volunteer Florence firefighter for over 20 years. Edwin, along with his wife, were also partners in owning Kelley’s Liquor Store with their son, Andy. Edwin was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church and had a strong faith until he went home to his Father.

Ed loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He had a passion for gardening and was always eager to show off his vegetables at the local county fair, where he received many “best in show” awards. One of his favorite times of year was hunting season. Ed loved to join his kids and grandkids out at camp. He was up early cooking breakfast for everyone and was the first person people looked for after shooting a deer.

He is survived by his five children, Susan (Joseph) Mills, Jeanne (Scott) Waitrovich, Andrew (Becky) Kelley, Edwin (D’Nelle) Kelley, and Mary (Bob) Podnar, all of Florence; his sisters, Mary Gehlhoff, Patricia Prince, and Kitty Kelley; his grandchildren: Raymond (Dione) Mills, Jessica (Travis) Linskens, Theresa (Brent) Pataconi, Sarah (Matt) Mills Oleske, and Edwin (Cassie) Mills, Robert (Melissa) Soderberg, Anne (Tom) Pestor, Brooke (Ben) Artz, Amber (Osbin) Perdomo, Andrew Jr. (Emily) Kelley, Marshall Kelley, William Kelley, Caitlyn Kelley (fiancé Cole Galeazzi), Breyson Kelley and Tommy Podnar; 13 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Austin, Cecelia Mills, Jackson and Charlie Linskens, Aubrey Pataconi, Madisyn Mills, William and Wyatt Pestor, Quinten and Peyton Artz, Oliver and Walter Perdomo, and three more on the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet (Brey) Kelley; his parents, Gordon and Helen Kelley; and his daughter-in-law, Anna Kelley.

A visitation will take place at Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home in Florence on Sunday, Feb. 1, from 3 until 6 p.m., then again on Monday, Feb. 2, from 10:30 until 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Florence. Military honors will take place at 10:45 a.m. at the church. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. The Rev. Soja Jospeh will officiate.

Pallbearers are his grandsons: Raymond and Edwin Mills, Robert Soderberg, Andrew Kelley Jr., William and Marshall Kelley, Breyson Kelley, and Tommy Podnar.

The family would like to thank Florence Health Services for their care during his stay. They would also like to thank the Oscar G. Johnson VA for the compassionate care they provided Ed. We would also like to thank the priest who prayed over him as he moved on from this world.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Ed’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Cremation Services to honor Ed’s legacy of life.