James Kelsey

James “Burt” Kelsey, 87, of 1765 Hickory Ave. in Rudd passed away Thursday, July 30, 2009 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City.

A Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2009 at the Rudd United Methodist Church at 611 6th St. in Rudd with Rev. Wendy Johannesen officiating. The family will greet friends on Monday, August 3 one hour prior to Burt’s service at the Rudd United Methodist Church, 611 6th St. in Rudd. Burt’s final request was to donate his body to the Mayo Clinic Whole Body Donation Program in Rochester, MN. Cremation and private family inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the James “Burt” Kelsey Memorial Fund. Stories, condolences, and thoughts may be shared with the family on the funeral home website at www.Fullertonfh.com.

Burt was born on February 16, 1922 in Mason City, IA, the son of Wilbur and Elva (Burton) Kelsey. He grew up in and was educated in Rudd. Burt was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served during World War II on the submarine the U.S.S. Saury. He had lived most all of his life in Rudd. Burt was united in marriage to Karol Field on February 9, 1974 in Dike, IA.

Burt throughout the years had been employed at White Farm Implement in Charles City. He had been a school bus driver, owned and operated Kelsey Oil Co., Farmer’s CO-OP, worked at Hoover’s Hatchery and opened a Laundromat, all in Rudd. He had also been an independent block layer and cement worker.

Burt was a member of the Rudd United Methodist Church, the Lions’ Club and a volunteer fireman, both of Rudd. He was also a member of the Iowa Draft Horse Association and the Percheron Association of America. Burt will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Grateful for having had the privilege of sharing in Burt’s life are his wife, Karol Kelsey of Rudd; his two children, Mike (Nancy) Kelsey of Rudd, Karol Burks of Charles City; step-son, Bryan (Kathy) Hobbs of Rudd; three grandchildren, Yvonne Burks of Charles City, Jamie Burks of Shawnee, KS and Jeremy Hobbs of Rockford and one great granddaughter, Mya Eckenrod of Charles City.

Burt was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Elva (Burton) Kelsey; his first wife, Mary Kelsey; an infant daughter, Karen Kelsey and his sister, Louise Kelsey.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Blunt St., Charles City, Iowa 50616. 641-228-4211. www.fullertonfh.com