Obituary of Michael Patrick Kelly

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Michael Patrick Kelly was peacefully called home at the age of 67 on Tuesday, December 1, 2020. He was surrounded by his family in the comfort of his home in Dyersville, IA.

Visitation: Family and upon request only on Friday, December 4th starting at 3:00 pm at Mike and Gloria’s residence in Dyersville, IA. If you would like to attend, please contact a family member to coordinate.

Funeral (in Latin): Saturday, December 5th at 12:30 pm in the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, IA. Open to the public, please adhere to standard social distancing measures. This will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/HTkpDnFUkY8

Burial: Family and upon request only. If you would like to attend, please contact a family member to coordinate. A private luncheon will be held at Mike and Gloria’s residence in Dyersville, IA.

“I have a party scheduled in heaven, and I want everybody to be there.”

Mike was born on November 15, 1953, in New Hampton, IA (alongside his twin brother, Pat) to Leo and Genevieve Kelly as the fifth of eight children. Growing up, Mike observed the work ethic of his father and the Catholic faith of his mother – critical values that Mike heavily leaned into throughout his life. At a young age, Mike had great conviction and purpose – he prayed for four things: (1) to travel the world, (2) to have a large family, (3) to start a family business, and (4) to know Truth. God’s grace certainly poured over Mike throughout his life, and his prayers were answered.

Mike graduated from the University of Northern Iowa; while attending, he met his wife Gloria. Mike and Gloria married in 1976, and welcomed their first child the following year. Mike joined the Air Force in 1978, where he served as a C-130 navigator for eight years. During this time, Mike and Gloria traveled around the world and were blessed with four more children. Mike left the military to start a new chapter – in 1986, he and two of his brothers started a technology business called Circle Computer Resources (CCR) in Cedar Rapids. Mike and Gloria welcomed their sixth child; soon after, Mike rediscovered his Catholic faith. Mike moved his family to Dyersville to dwell in the shadows of the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier and to ensure Catholic education for his children. While in Dyersville, Mike and Gloria had five more children, whom he lovingly dubbed as the second batch.

God fulfilled Mike’s prayers in His perfect way while Mike’s feet treaded on this earth – he saw the world while serving in the military; loved 11 children and 27 grandchildren (and counting); built a successful business where many of his children work; and found as much truth as the human boundaries can comprehend, revealed through the Catholic faith. Given God’s grace, Mike’s final prayer has been fulfilled – to know Truth in its totality while bathing in God’s infinite love.

Today, Mike is preparing for the party he promised.

Survivors: his wife, Gloria (Engelmann); his children, Sean (Mary), Seth (Jana), Shea (Emily), Marie (Brandon), Katherine (Peter), Michelle (Christian), Theresa, Joseph (Miriam – engaged), Elizabeth, Veronica, and Patrick; his grandchildren: Philomena, Sean, Anthony, Cassidy, Damien, Claire, Augustine, Felicity, Annika (Sean); Connor, Gavin, Bryna (Seth); Oliver, Finnian, Cora (Shea);  Matthew, Lincoln, Leah, Abby (Marie); Rachel, Peter, Grace, Natalie, Angela, Jacob (Katherine); Zoey, Killian (Michelle); his siblings: Kathleen, Kevin, Nelly (Randy), Patrick, Maryellen, Christopher (Brenda); his aunt Fran, Gloria’s siblings: Mark and Vicki, and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Predeceased: his parents Leo and Genevieve, his parents-in-law Victor and Irene, his brother Timothy, sister-in-law Lynne (Kevin), and nieces Kelly and Heather (Kathy).

Donations: The5truths.org to promote the culture of life as designated by the family (currently not a 501(c)(3)).

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com. Cards and memorials may be sent to the Kelly family in care of Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA, 52040.