Brian Kelly

Dates

Obituary

Brian Kelly, 66, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2025, at his home in Mitchell. A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, April 17, from 1-4:00 PM at the Moose Lodge in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

WARNING: This obituary was written by his children for posterity and comedic value. Also, he didn’t do it like we asked him to – classic Brian.

Brian Kelly, what can we say about him?  He was a great guy, married to Mrs. Great Guy, Cindy (Hohn) Kelly. Brian & Cindy tied the knot on January 15, 1976, and wasted no time starting their family: Alice arrived later that year, and Annie followed in 1977. (No middle child—because, let’s be honest, they’re usually the troublemaker). Brian was a dedicated family man and one of the hardest-working people you’d ever meet. He spent his entire career in the telecommunications industry, where he could take things apart, put them back together, and usually make them work better than before. 

Brian was born June 3, 1958, to Elroy and MaryLou (Wertz) Kelly. Brian attended rural Plano School and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1976. He worked for various farmers around the Fulton, SD area during his high school years. He then attended Mitchell Technical Institute and earned an Associate’s degree in Electronics in 1977. His professional journey started at Electronics Supply Company and Norm’s TV in Mitchell, SD. He then moved his young family to Kearney, Nebraska to work for Platte Valley Communications. After five years of Cornhuskers and cornfields in Nebraska, he took a position with Sioux Falls Two-Way Radio, based out of Mitchell, SD where he stayed for 13 years. Later, he moved to Verizon Wireless, from which he retired from after nearly 20 years of service in 2018.

Brian was a lifelong Ham Radio enthusiast, which led to him being a storm chaser for several years – his is call sign was N0LCL. 

Brian & Cindy were members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Lifetime members of James Valley Cycle Club, and loyal members of the Moose Lodge in Mitchell, SD #875. They enjoyed camping, golfing, fixing things Mom may or may not have broken, and socializing with friends and strangers.  Brian was the kind of guy who’d offer to buy you a drink before he even knew your name. He enjoyed Cindy’s excellent cooking and testing her new recipes, whether he wanted to or not.

Brian is survived by his loving and tolerant wife, Cindy; daughters (a.k.a. “the boys”), Alice (Matt) Morgan, Annie (Jared) Wehrkamp; grandchildren: Ethan (Crystal) Jirsa and upcoming great-grandchild appearing in July 2025, and Crewe & Kinzley Morgan; brother, Kevin (Patti) Kelly; sisters, Karen (Duane) Peschong and Barbara (Val) Krietlow; and brothers & sisters-in-law, Karen (Stan) Bice, Chuck (Patricia) Hohn, and Kathy Priest.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Gianna Wehrkamp; parents, Marylou and Elroy Kelly; grandparents, Gilmore & Hattie Kelly, and Arthur & Beatrice Wertz; niece, Teresa Mentele; brothers, Bruce Kelly and infant twins Dennis & Doyle Kelly; sister, Bonnie Kelly; parents-in-law, Luverne & Alice Hohn; and sister-in-law, Christine Fritza.

N0LCL over and out...

Visitation(s)