Greg James Kelly

Greg James Kelly 51, of St. Paul, passed away unexpectedly on Monday May 1, 2023 at Blair.

Funeral services were held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church. Father Vince Parsons and Deacon Jim Naughton presided. Music selections included “Amazing Grace,” “Danny Boy,” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Pallbearers included Chase Zelasney, Isaiah Zelasney, Tony Cliffords, Kelly Cliffords, Michael Kelly, Trey Frahm, Ivan Baldwin, and Martin Baldwin. Honorary pallbearers included Landon Nelson, Scott Felch, Egan Johnson, Bryan Cliffords, and Todd Davis. Interment was at the Osceola Cemetery in Ocseola. Jacobsen-Greenway- Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul assisted the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the family for later designation.

Greg was born August 8, 1971, at Genoa, to Gerald and Donna (Pfeifer) Kelly, along with his twin brother, Gary. He attended school in Osceola. Greg went on to establish a career as a certified iron worker and crane rigger. His work took him across the United States. Through his work, he met a number of co-workers who he developed life-long friendships with. He cherished his trips back home on the weekends to spend time with his family and friends. When you met up with Greg, you could always count on receiving a big smile, a warm hug, and “I Love You,” as those words came very easy for him to say to the people he cared about.

He always put the needs of others ahead of his own and he never knew a stranger. Greg proudly honored the Irish heritage he shared with his family, and he loved listening to his favorite Irish songs.

Greg is survived by his mother, Donna Boden of St. Paul; beloved children, Brianna Kelly (Jacob) of Omaha, Cameron Kelly (Tessa) of Grand Island, Kaitlin (John) Fritzges of St. Edward, Kammie (Zac) Bauman of Butte, Montana, Ashley (Colby) Kubik of Lincoln, and Bryant Kelly of Columbus; grandchildren, Kohen, Reese, Rhett, Cecelia and Ty Fritzges, Kaydence, Beckett, and Gwyneth Bauman, Porter and Jameson Kubik; siblings, Jackie (Bryan) Cliffords of York, Janel Zelasney (Todd) of Lincoln, Gary Kelly (Kelly) of Omaha, Rusty (Amy) Frahm of Ashland, Heidi Johnson of Grand Island, and Kevin Kelly of Nebraska City; aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Kelly; stepson, Jeffrey Gray; grandparents, Bernard and Thelma Pfeifer and John and Gert Kelly; uncles, Leo, Bob, and Charlie Kelly and Gerald Whalen; and cousin, Bryan Pfeifer.