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David Kelly

Arthur David Kelly, age 98, died on September 28, 2010 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson, WI. David was born to Arthur D. and Addie Scott Kelly on March 25, 1912 on the Kelly family farm located on Hudson Prairie. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1929.

Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1935, he moved to Washington DC where he worked for the federal government during the New Deal era of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was employed for several years in the Office of Price Administration (OPA) after which he received a commission in the US Navy. He served as a lieutenant during World War II as a communications officer in England and France and on a ship in the Pacific. After the war, he returned to Hudson where he married Katherine Tappins, on July 6, 1946 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Together the couple moved to the Kelly family farm, Pixy Jersey Farm, where they and his brother Charles developed one of the top registered Jersey herds of the day.

David served twenty one years on the Hudson Community School Board including eleven years as board president. He was particularly involved in school construction projects which occurred continuously as Hudson’s population grew. In 1971, David and Katherine were honored with the Dr. EW Wright Citizenship Award. He was inducted onto the Hudson Wall of Fame in 1999.

David was dedicated to his family with whom he shared his love of the land. He planted many varieties of trees including over one-thousand pine trees. He enjoyed hiking, canoeing and picnicking, especially at Willow River State Park. When he was relaxing indoors, David enjoyed reading American, European and World War II history. He also enjoyed cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.

David is survived by his wife, Katherine, Hudson; children, David (Betsy) Kelly, St. Paul, MN; Katherine “Kitty” Kelly, Hudson; grandchildren, Charles (Elisabeth) Kelly, Alexandria, VA; George Kelly, Minneapolis, MN; sister-in-law Ruth Schonenberg, Edmonds, WA and nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents and by his brothers, Charles Kelly and Philip Kelly.

Funeral services for David will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Stillwater, MN on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 3pm. Interment will follow at the Willow River Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson on Friday, October 1, 2010 from 2-4pm as well as on Saturday, one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be designated to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Stillwater, MN. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson, 715-386-3725.