(From All Faiths Funeral Home)Rita Joyce Kelly, 81, of Grand Island, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Grand Island, NE. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9th, at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate.
Rita was born on July 10, 1943, to John and Christina (O’Neill) Powell. Rita was the oldest of her seven siblings. She was raised in Grand Island, graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 1962.
Following high school, Rita married the love of her life, Edward Joseph Kelly II on September 5th, 1964. Ed and Rita lived most of their lives in Joplin, Missouri. They also lived in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and Plano, Texas. They moved to Grand Island in the fall of 2024. Rita enjoyed working with Ed at their drive-in theater and skating rink in Joplin, Missouri. She was very active in her various churches as they moved from state to state and was a proud member of the Red Hat Society. She loved to read and laugh, but above all, she loved her family.
Ed and Rita were poor in money but rich in spirit. Rita was quiet, but loved to talk to friends. They had three boys and after they left home, Rita and Ed enjoyed some peace and rest. At 55, Ed and Rita adopted two of their grandchildren, Wally Jr. and Kim. They put their lives on hold to raise their grandchildren. Rita was strong in spirit and family. She was an inspiration as a woman of God. She will be dearly missed by all and left a mark on the hearts of those who knew her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ed Kelly; children, Ed Kelly, Wally Kelly Sr., Wally Kelly Jr., and Kim Downs, siblings; Bryan (Susie) Powell, Frank (Lee Ann) Powell, Mary (Chuck) Encinger, Bernard Powell, and Barbie (Allan) Allen; aunt, Anne Mart, of Hutchinson Kansas; brother-in-law, Ron Miller; sisters-in-law, LeeAnn Powell, Pat Kelly of Florida, and Kathy (Jim) Jorgensen of San Antonio Texas. As well as several grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steve Kelly; brother, Daniel Powell; sister, Veronica Miller and sisters-in-law, Cathy Powell and Brigitte Kelly.
Ed and Rita were poor in money but rich in spirit. Rita was quiet, but loved to talk to friends. They had three boys and after they left home, Rita and Ed enjoyed some peace and rest. At 55, Ed and Rita adopted two of their grandchildren, Wally Jr. and Kim. They put their lives on hold to raise their grandchildren. Rita was strong in spirit and family. She was an inspiration as a woman of God. She will be dearly missed by all and left a mark on the hearts of those who knew her.
Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Ed Kelly; children, Ed Kelly, Wally Kelly Sr., Wally Kelly Jr., and Kim Downs, siblings; Bryan (Susie) Powell, Frank (Lee Ann) Powell, Mary (Chuck) Encinger, Bernard Powell, and Barbie (Allan) Allen; aunt, Anne Mart, of Hutchinson Kansas; brother-in-law, Ron Miller; sisters-in-law, LeeAnn Powell, Pat Kelly of Florida, and Kathy (Jim) Jorgensen of San Antonio Texas. As well as several grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many cousins.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; son, Steve Kelly; brother, Daniel Powell; sister, Veronica Miller and sisters-in-law, Cathy Powell and Brigitte Kelly.
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