Betty Jane Kelly

Betty J. Kelly, 93, of Grand Island, Nebraska died Friday August 10, 2018 at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday August 15, 2018 at the Apfel Funeral Home Chapel in Grand Island with Derek Apfel officiating. Inurnment will be at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.



The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.



Memorials are suggested to the Grand Island Public Library or the Central Nebraska Humane Society.



Mrs. Kelly was born on December 14, 1924 at Grand Island, Nebraska the daughter of Albert E. and Ruth I. (Whitt) Johnson. She graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1943.



She was united in marriage to Richard O. Kelly on September 27, 1943 at Smith Center, Kansas. The couple resided in Idaho and Louisiana while her husband was in the military. In 1945, they returned to Grand Island where they remained. Mrs. Kelly was a stay-at-home mother and assisted her husband with the family plumbing business. Mr. Kelly preceded her in death in 1989.



She enjoyed bowling, coin collecting, aerobics and especially loved reading. She had also become quite involved with the Decorating Committee at Chrysalis Living Center while living there, and belonged to the Red Hat Society. She moved to Wedgewood in January 2013, where she enjoyed exercise classes and activities and church services.



Betty’s greatest joy was whenever she was in the company of babies and small children. Her face would light up in their presence.



Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law; Richard and Verneda Kelly and Sandy Kelly all of Lincoln, Larry and Lyanne Kelly of Grand Island, and Terry and Karen Kelly of Chapman, Nebraska; grandchildren, Sean, Chris, Tim, Ted, Mike, Stephanie, Dana, Jake, Jeff and Kimberly 16 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Kathy Johnson; and brother and sister-in-law, Rodney and Colleen Johnson of Grand Island.



She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son, Rob; grandson, Timothy Kelly; brother, Wally; and infant brother, Wayne L. Johnson.