KELLY R. KIRKPATRICK, 67 of Grant, passed away Friday, February 22, 2019, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant. Kelly was born June 9, 1951, at Imperial, Nebraska to Vance and Esther (Norman) Kirkpatrick. Kelly graduated from Perkins County High School with the class of 1969.
He attended college in Denver where he studied drafting. Upon deciding that he didn’t want to work in an office, Kelly decided to become a bricklayer and began his apprenticeship in 1970. Built into his personality was a meticulousness that made him great at his work, as well as an indelible physicality in his nature.
On April 22, 1972, Kelly married Anne C. Pelster, and their union was blessed with four children, Jason, Aaron, Stefan Mitchell, and Gina. The family moved to Texas in 1985, and later to Illinois, while Kelly worked as a union bricklayer. In 1994, the family returned to Grant and Kelly took over the ownership of Kirkpatrick Masonry.
In 2005, Kelly’s son, Jason took over the business. Kelly and Anne subsequently traveled throughout the central United States, while Kelly did freelance masonry work on union jobs. Kelly was an avid golfer and did so quite often with his dad which was very special to him.
Competitive in nature, Kelly was an accomplished bowler, and in younger years, Kelly was a golden glove champion boxer. Kelly enjoyed playing cards, throwing horseshoes, fishing, hunting, and boating. He appreciated the simple life and cherished his time spent on his acreage, taking care of the animals, trees, and somewhat humorously, doing his best to grow grass.
Kelly was a man of strong faith with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He belonged to Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant. Kelly was preceded in death by his mother, Esther; sister, Sandy Neis; parents-in-law, Lenny and Chris Pelster and sister-in-law, Jean.
Survivors include his wife, Anne of Grant; children, Jason (Sara) Kirkpatrick of Grant, Aaron (Andrea) Kirkpatrick, Stefan Mitchell (Hannah) Kirkpatrick, all of Wichita, KS, and Gina Kirkpatrick of Denver, CO; thirteen grandchildren, Alex (Courtney), Pearl, Jasper, David; Sean, Kellen, Jori, Ian; Dylan, Ryanne, Hazel, Ember, Zenia; father, Vance (Barbara) Kirkpatrick of Grant, his siblings, Jan (Larry) Kirkpatrick, Brad (Ann) Kirkpatrick, Brian (Linda) Kirkpatrick; siblings-in-law, Pat (Donna) Pelster of North Platte, Mike (Joni) Pelster of Ogallala, Joe (Carol) Pelster of Kearney, Sally (Joe) Borowski of Grant, Peg (Robert) Reznicek of LaVista, Nancy (Kim) Baxter of North Platte, Jill Pelster of Holyoke; along with many nieces and nephews, other relatives, friends and step siblings, Bryon (Sharon) Ray, and Tracey (Don) Hajek. A memorial has been established in Kelly’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church with Father Thomas Bush as Celebrant. Cremation will follow the Mass, with inurnment to take place in the Grant Fairview Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be on Wednesday, from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kelly R. Kirkpatrick please visit our Sympathy Store.
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