Alfred William Kelley

In Loving Memory
Alfred W. Kelley
1924-2022

Alfred Kelley, 97 of Papillion, passed away after a brief illness on March 18, 2022 surrounded by family, in Fremont, NE.

Al was born on August 15. 1924 fourth born child of James Uriah and Anna (Behrendt) Kelley, at home on their farm southeast of Woodbine, IA.He was the youngest of the Kelley childrenHe grew up during the depression and learned early, the value and lessons of hard work and being frugal. He walked behind a draft horse named Bessie to plow fields and plant corn with a two row planter.

Al left the farm and worked construction in 1947-48 in the Panama and Harlan, Ia area. He completed US Army Basic Training in 1948-49 at Fort Riley, KS. He then served in the US Army Reserves from 1950-54 being honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Seargant.He briefly worked for Flynn Paving before starting his career at Continental Can Co. in Omaha, NE.Al worked the production line, mainly as a forklift operator, retiring in 1988.

In May of 1952, Al met Agnes Perlinger at a dance at the Music Box Dance Hall, in Omaha. On May 2, 1953, they married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Paxton, NE.Al and Agnes were blessed with four children, Mark, Debra, Karen and Douglas. The family made their home in Papillion, NE.The couple moved into their new home in 1957 and resided there for 63 years. In 2020 they moved to Ashland, NE to reside at Oxbow Assisted Living.

Al was a patient, gentle man, dedicated to his faith and family.He prayed the Rosary daily and was an active 65 year member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Papillion. Al enjoyed gardening and was a Mr. Fix It guy.He took up bicycling and logged over 20,000 miles over the years.He thoroughly enjoyed restoring a 1938 IHC F-20 Farmall tractor (Similar to the 1936 IHC 1020, the first steel wheeled tractor he drove as a twelve year old on the farm). He drove the tractor in small town parades. He loved to plan yearly vacations, and the family traveled extensively in the United States and parts of Canada. Over the years, Al and Agnes enjoyed playing cards and ballroom dancing with many dear friends and relatives. Al treasured spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his large, extended family.

Al was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Lovina Churchill Bryant, Lawrence (Bud) Kelley and John (Johnny) Kelley.

Survivors include four children: Mark (Preeyanan), of Marina Del Rey, CA, Debbie Kelley of Ashland,NE, Karen (Kevin) Stille of Ashland, NE, and Douglas (Debbie) Kelley of Papillion, NE.; Seven grandchildren, Alicia (Ryan) Klug of Lincoln, NE, Camille (Darius) Amiri, of Phoenix, AZ, Keith (Allison) Stille of Papillion, NE, Dennis (Brooke) Stille of Lincoln, NE, Anna Kelley of Lincoln, NE, Ben Stille of Lincoln, NE and Grant Kelley of Papillion, NE. Eight great-grandchildren; Kasen, Kennedy, Caroline and baby Klug of Lincoln, NE, Lainey and Huxton Stille of Papillion, NE, Wylie and Daisy Amiri of Phoenix, AZ and Elliot Stille of Lincoln, NE. Sister-in laws, Marietta Perlinger of Grant, NE, Donna Perlinger of Woodhull, IL, Brother-in law, Patrick Perlinger of Littleton, CO., along with many other relatives and friends.

Memorials have been requested by the family to St. Columbkille Catholic Church or St. Jude Research (www.stjude.org).