Ronald Arthur Kelly

Ronald (Ron) Arthur Kelly, a devout Catholic, devoted husband, and dedicated father passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025 at the age of 87 in Overland Park, Kansas. He was born on September 8, 1937 in Fulda, Minnesota and lived his life committed to his strong values and chosen career as a chemist.

After graduating high school in Fulda, he graduated from Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota with a triple degree in chemistry, physics, and math which prepared him well for a lifelong profession as a chemist. It was early in his career, working at the Bureau of Mines, that he came to be introduced to his future wife Marilyn (Goetting). They were married on December 27, 1965 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Missouri.

While in Kansas City, Ron continued working as a chemist as he and Marilyn started their family. Having both grown up in small towns, they felt strongly that they wanted their own children to experience the benefits of a more rural, small town lifestyle. So, as their children neared school age in 1975, they relocated to Osawatomie, Kansas. Ron continued to commute daily to the Kansas City area for his career, but loved to retreat at the end of each day back to the family and home that he loved in Osawatomie. Some of the activities that he enjoyed were fishing in the large pond, growing a substantial family garden each summer, and raising a variety of animals/pets on their small farm.

Ron was a man of deep faith and was steadfast in his Catholic beliefs. He and his family were long time members of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Paola, Kansas. His faith was exemplified by his involvement in this parish as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and liturgical music coordinator for many years. He also developed and led the training program for young boys and girls who wanted to be altar servers in the parish.

After 42 years in his profession, he and Marilyn took their well-deserved retirement in 2001. They were fortunate enough to be able to stay in the home they loved until medical issues necessitated a move to Village Shalom health care facility in 2022.

Ron and Marilyn were blessed with almost 60 years together in marriage. He is survived by Marilyn, his 4 children: Teresa Kelly, Karen Thummel (Jon), Loren Kelly (Michelle), and Colleen Kelly-Perkins (Edward) and 6 grandchildren: Heather, Jessica, & Megan Thummel, and Joshua, Jordan, & Jacob Perkins.

He was preceded in death by: his parents Peter and Lela (Harvey) Kelly, his brothers Francis and James Kelly, and his sister Mary Ann Hebig.

As a husband, father, grandfather, friend, and co-worker, he will be profoundly missed by those who knew him. The impact he left on his family and community is a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, purpose, and faith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Holy Trinity Parish in Paola, Kansas

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