Kathryn M. Kelly, 88 of Elgin passed away peacefully Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Sherman West Court. She was born February 20, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI. the daughter of James M. and Ottilia (Hensen) Riepl.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her loving husband James of 64 years in 2016; her parents; 2 brothers; 2 sisters; 1 son-in-law, William Forkell; 2 grandchildren, Becky Sweeney, and Brandon Kelly.
She was a graduate of St. Edward High School, Elgin in 1946 and was an RN having graduated from St. Anthony de Padua Hospital School of Nursing in 1949. Kathryn worked her entire 40 year career at St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin. She enjoyed gardening, crafts, her many dogs, and volunteering at Shop-N-Share Resale, Elgin. She also loved cruises and road trips with her husband.
She is survived by 8 children; Mary Kay Forkell, Elgin, Karen (William) Kelly-Beith, Campton Hills, Patrick (Nancy) Kelly, Geneva, Michael (Jeanne) Kelly, Chicago, Maureen (Paul) Valsted, Elgin, Timothy Kelly, Elgin, Sheila (Jeff) Kelly, Boulder, CO, John (Tracey) Kelly, Highland Park, 15 grand, and 19 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 27 at the O’Connor – Leetz Funeral Home, Elgin from 4 – 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 28 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Elgin with Msgr. James McLoughlin officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery, Elgin.
For more information please contact the funeral home at (847) 741-1400, or visit us at www.oconnor-leetz.com or on Facebook.