Rose Marie Kelly

Rose Kelly, age 89, of Milbank passed away on January 5, 2023, at St. William’s Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Ken Lulf will celebrate the mass. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5 – 7 p.m. with a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Casket bearers will be: Aiden Kelly, Jon Christensen, Jacob Tesch, Kelly Tesch, Mark Tesch, Jordan Tesch, Christopher Kelly, and Eric Kelly. Honorary bearers will be the sisters and staff at St. William’s Care Center.

Rose Marie (Folk) Kelly was born on August 12, 1933, on the family farm near Corona, SD. She was the daughter of Philip and Kathryn (Lemmer) Folk. Rose grew up on the farm and attended country school through the eighth grade. She quit school to be able to care for her grandparents and help on the farm.

Rose was united in marriage with LeRoy Kelly on November 13, 1954, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. They lived a short time in Illinois before settling in Milbank. They were blessed with four children: Cindy, Keith, Kathy, and Philip.

Rose was a loving wife and homemaker. Besides raising her children, she worked at various jobs in Milbank, including egg candling for Meyer’s Hatchery. She also worked as a waitress and in housekeeping.

Rose was a faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone! She was always concerned about others. She and LeRoy enjoyed traveling in earlier days.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Cindy (Lowell) Christensen of Milbank, SD; Keith (Cheryl) Kelly of Corona, SD; Kathy (Tom) Tesch of Watertown, SD; and Philip (Janelle) Kelly of Big Stone City, SD; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; siblings: Betty Mead of Milbank, SD; and George Folk of Milbank, SD; sister-in-law, Wilma Folk of Hector, MN.

Rose was preceded in death by her parents: Philip and Kathryn; husband, LeRoy; grandson, Father Dana Christensen; and four siblings: Paul Folk, Joe Folk, Elnora Smith, and Bob Folk.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to St. William’s Care Center furnace fund.