Kenneth Robert “Ken” Kelley, 75, died September 26, 2023, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was born June 7, 1948, in El Dorado, AR, to Odell and Jean (Turner) Kelley.
Ken graduated from Lincoln High School, Lincoln, NE. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1968-1971, during the Vietnam War. Ken worked in sales for various manufactured housing companies, and was currently working for Champion Homes of York, NE. Work never felt like work to Ken; he looked forward to it each and every day. When he could, Ken played golf and softball. Faith was important to him. Ken was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hutchinson, where he previously served as a member of the Outreach Commission. Currently, Ken was serving on the Board of Elders. In addition, as member of the Gideons, Ken participated in the Reno County Jail Ministry, where he had a gift for developing special relationships and impacting lives. When his health began to change, Ken’s family deemed him “Kelley Strong”, encouraging him to keep fighting. He was a devoted husband, father, and “Papa” to his 10 amazing grandchildren.
On February 14, 1981, he married MaryAnn Frances Kampschnieder, in Lincoln, NE.
Ken is survived by: his wife of 42 years, MaryAnn of Hutchinson; children, Shannon Morgan (Kevin) and Patrick Kelley (Alison), all of Lincoln, NE, Beth Dandini (Julian) of Kansas City, MO, and Melissa Hinton (Brandon) of Kansas City, KS; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Frankie, Jacob, Mariah, Christopher, Quinn, Mikayla, Hudson, Brody, and Kylie; two great-grandchildren on the way; and siblings, Jan Weinberg (Jon) of Texas and James Kelley of Oklahoma.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2023, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E. 12th, Hutchinson, with Pastors Quentin Nuttmann and Henry Blickhahn officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary. Cremation has taken place.
Click here to view the service on-line: https://www.facebook.com/orlhutch/videos.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church General Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.