Kelly Kirkpatrick

    Kelly R. Kirkpatrick, 67, of Grant, Nebraska, died Feb. 22, 2019, at the Perkins County Hospital in Grant. Kelly was born June 9, 1951, in Imperial, Nebraska, to Vance and Esther (Norman) Kirkpatrick.
    Kelly graduated from Perkins County High School with the Class of 1969. He attended college in Denver, where he studied drafting. Upon deciding that he didn’t want to work in an office, Kelly decided to become a bricklayer and began his apprenticeship in 1970. Built into his personality was a meticulousness that made him great at his work, as well as an indelible physicality in his nature.
    On April 22, 1972, Kelly married Anne C. Pelster, and their union was blessed with four children: Jason, Aaron, Stefan Mitchell and Gina. The family moved to Texas in 1985 and later to Illinois while Kelly worked as a union bricklayer. In 1994, the family returned to Grant and Kelly took over the ownership of Kirkpatrick Masonry. In 2005, Kelly’s son Jason took over the business. Kelly and Anne subsequently traveled throughout the central United States while Kelly did freelance masonry work on union jobs.
    Kelly was an avid golfer and did so quite often with his dad, which was very special to him. Competitive in nature, Kelly was an accomplished bowler, and in younger years, he was a golden glove champion boxer. Kelly enjoyed playing cards, throwing horseshoes, fishing, hunting and boating. He appreciated the simple life and cherished his time spent on his acreage, taking care of the animals, trees and — somewhat humorously — doing his best to grow grass.
    Kelly was a man of strong faith with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He belonged to Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Grant.
    Kelly was preceded in death by his mother, Esther; sister, Sandy Neis; parents-in-law, Lenny and Chris Pelster; and sister-in-law, Jean.
    Survivors include his wife, Anne of Grant; children, Jason and Sara Kirkpatrick of Grant, Aaron and Andrea Kirkpatrick of Wichita, Kansas, Stefan Mitchell and Hannah Kirkpatrick of Wichita, and Gina Kirkpatrick of Denver; 13 grandchildren, Alex and Courtney, Pearl, Jasper, David, Sean, Kellen, Jori, Ian, Dylan, Ryanne, Hazel, Ember and Zenia; father, Vance and Barbara Kirkpatrick of Grant; siblings, Jan and Larry Kirkpatrick, Brad and Ann Kirkpatrick, and Brian and Linda Kirkpatrick; siblings-in-law, Pat and Donna Pelster of North Platte, Nebraska, Mike and Joni Pelster of Ogallala, Nebraska, Joe and Carol Pelster of Kearney, Nebraska, Sally and Joe Borowski of Grant, Peg and Robert Reznicek of La Vista, Nebraska, Nancy and Kim Baxter of North Platte, and Jill Pelster of Holyoke; step-siblings, Bryon and Sharon Ray and Tracey and Don Hajek; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
    Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 28 at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, with Father Thomas Bush as celebrant. Cremation followed the Mass, with inurnment to take place in the Grant Fairview Cemetery at a later date. A rosary was recited on Feb. 27 at the church.
    A memorial has been established in Kelly’s memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.
    Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant was in charge of arrangements.