Rita Kelley

Rita Mary (Arkfeld) Kelley was born September 3, 1923, to George and Mary (Siemer) Arkfeld in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Panama and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1941. She then worked in Chicago, Illinois for a short time. Rita was united in marriage to Johnny Kelley on June 26, 1952, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Panama.

Rita was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Woodbine. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Rita enjoyed making apple pie, jelly, and spending time on the farm. She also enjoyed traveling and going to her grandchildren's activities.

Rita died December 11, 2011, at Rose Vista Home in Woodbine, at the age of 88 years, three months and eight days.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Joyce Kelley; grandson Kirk Sturgill; three brothers, Vince, Clem and Archbishop Leo Arkfeld; and four sisters, Florence Ohlinger, Sally Kohles, Lucille and Mary Arkfeld. She is survived by her husband, Johnny Kelley of 59 years of Woodbine, Iowa; seven children, Susan (Dana) Sturgill of Dunlap, Iowa, Marvin (Patty) Kelley of Woodbine, Iowa, Nancy (Steve) Hupp of Scranton, Iowa, Norma (Martin) Houston of Broomfield, Colorado, Cindy Stessman of Dunlap, Iowa, Paul (Tracy) Kelley of Woodbine, Iowa, Sheila (Bill) Bonner of Omaha, Nebraska; 18 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; brother, George Arkfeld of Oceanside, California; in-laws Micky Arkfeld of Panama, Iowa, Jerry Bissen of Earling, Iowa, Alf (Agnes) Kelley of Papillion, Nebraska, Lovina (Wayne) Bryant of Underwood, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.