Obituary for Johanna Kelly
Johanna Luise Kelly, 89, of Leavenworth, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at Providence Medical Center. She suffered from a sudden digestive complication. She was born Aug. 6, 1930, the daughter of Johann and Barbara (Fuchs) Engelhardt in Bayreuth, Germany.
On Jan. 15, 1959, Luise married Martin J. Kelly. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Kunigunde Schreiber, Marie Yeager and Elisabeth Dolleck; and three brothers, Karl, Hans and Edward Engelhardt.
Luise was employed by NAF in the Housing Division, Directorate of Engineering and Housing, Ft. Leavenworth. She loved the people she worked with and enjoyed telling heart-warming stories of her coworkers and the visitors housed in her area of the lodging facilities. She took great pride in creating a warm and inviting environment for visitors and their families. She served the Department of the Army NAF Division at Ft. Leavenworth with pride and dedication until her retirement in Oct. 1996.
Luise is survived by her three daughters, Marie-Luise (Wayne) Burris, Barbara (Dennis) Burris and Elisabeth Kelly all of Leavenworth; her only son, Frank (Jeanne) Kelly of McKinney, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Benjamin, Dennis II, Joseph, Kathryn, Hunter, Sarah and Peyton; and 11 great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Christopher, Nicholas, Cameron, Cole, Isabella, Madden, James, Andrew, Miles and Reese.
She was a faithful member of St. Casimir Catholic Church where she served for many years in the Altar Society, assisting with bazaars and other various mission projects. She enjoyed supporting the Catholic school system and participating in numerous CYO activities. She also enjoyed her involvement with the ladies of Calvary Baptist Church and the many occasions she attended special programs and events there.
Luise enjoyed many special activities with the Friendship Club, Heritage Center and the Council on Aging. She loved to travel and was ready at a moment’s notice for a new adventure or to visit relatives. She enjoyed tending flowers in her yard and feeding the birds that flocked around the bird feeder. Watching sports, handwork (knitting, sewing, embroidery, crocheting), and reading German books were her favorite pastimes. A game of cards with the grandkids or round of Chicken Foot brought her pleasure. However, nothing could compete with her love for her family. She was so very proud of them and their accomplishments. Each grandchild only added to her joy. She celebrated every achievement and knew how to give comfort for every sorrow.
The family would like to give special thanks and appreciation to Hilde and Joe Buckley (sister and brother-in-law) for their endless love and support to Luise’s family throughout her life. Two very special friends in Luise’s life were Betty Slater and Ann Harding.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Casimir Altar Society.
On Jan. 15, 1959, Luise married Martin J. Kelly. He preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Kunigunde Schreiber, Marie Yeager and Elisabeth Dolleck; and three brothers, Karl, Hans and Edward Engelhardt.
Luise was employed by NAF in the Housing Division, Directorate of Engineering and Housing, Ft. Leavenworth. She loved the people she worked with and enjoyed telling heart-warming stories of her coworkers and the visitors housed in her area of the lodging facilities. She took great pride in creating a warm and inviting environment for visitors and their families. She served the Department of the Army NAF Division at Ft. Leavenworth with pride and dedication until her retirement in Oct. 1996.
Luise is survived by her three daughters, Marie-Luise (Wayne) Burris, Barbara (Dennis) Burris and Elisabeth Kelly all of Leavenworth; her only son, Frank (Jeanne) Kelly of McKinney, Texas; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Benjamin, Dennis II, Joseph, Kathryn, Hunter, Sarah and Peyton; and 11 great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Christopher, Nicholas, Cameron, Cole, Isabella, Madden, James, Andrew, Miles and Reese.
She was a faithful member of St. Casimir Catholic Church where she served for many years in the Altar Society, assisting with bazaars and other various mission projects. She enjoyed supporting the Catholic school system and participating in numerous CYO activities. She also enjoyed her involvement with the ladies of Calvary Baptist Church and the many occasions she attended special programs and events there.
Luise enjoyed many special activities with the Friendship Club, Heritage Center and the Council on Aging. She loved to travel and was ready at a moment’s notice for a new adventure or to visit relatives. She enjoyed tending flowers in her yard and feeding the birds that flocked around the bird feeder. Watching sports, handwork (knitting, sewing, embroidery, crocheting), and reading German books were her favorite pastimes. A game of cards with the grandkids or round of Chicken Foot brought her pleasure. However, nothing could compete with her love for her family. She was so very proud of them and their accomplishments. Each grandchild only added to her joy. She celebrated every achievement and knew how to give comfort for every sorrow.
The family would like to give special thanks and appreciation to Hilde and Joe Buckley (sister and brother-in-law) for their endless love and support to Luise’s family throughout her life. Two very special friends in Luise’s life were Betty Slater and Ann Harding.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at the R.L. Leintz Funeral Home. A memorial service will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Casimir Altar Society.