1949
Kelly
2013
Kelly Kiemele
July 30, 1949 — August 25, 2013
Kelly Kiemele, 64, Mandan, passed away August 25, 2013 with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at The Post, Mandan, ND with Chaplain Dan Sweeney officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Mandan VFW Post #707 and American Legion Post #40. Kelly would be happy if you showed up in jeans and don’t forget your guitar.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Kelly Kiemele was born July 30, 1949 to Raymond and Dorothy (O’Donald) Kiemele in Bismarck. Raised and educated in the Bismarck/Mandan area he graduated from Bismarck High in 1967. After high school, Kelly attended the ND State School of Science at Wahpeton for two years in the area of drafting. He served his country in the US Army from 1969 to 1971. He was in the 101st Airborne as a medic with one term in Vietnam. Returning home he spent several years working as a draftsman, carpenter, and in the construction field. On March 24, 1972, Kelly married Patty Dickson in Mandan. He worked for the Amoco Refinery, now Tesoro, until his retirement in 2004.
Kelly had a natural talent and passion for music. Well known in the Bismarck/Mandan area as a guitar player. He played guitar and mandolin in many local bands, such as the Old Five and Dimers with Les Vaagen and Frog Holler String Band with John Lardinois. He spent many happy years accompanying Preston Schmidt and his fiddle. Saturday mornings he could be found jamming with his favorite musicians at his daughter’s coffee shop which he always felt was a privilege. His talents extended beyond playing instruments, he also repaired and rebuilt guitars and mandolins. One would be amazed how he could take a box of guitar parts and end up with a fine playing instrument. You would often see him driving around in his cherished 1929 restored Model A and his 1930 original Model A. His great pride was being with his family especially his granddaughters. His legacy of love, laughter and charity is carried in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved him.
Left with fond memories of a life well lived are his wife, Patty, Mandan; son, Trevor (Heather), Cheyenne, WY; daughter, Tara Kiemele (Gus Ereth), Mandan; granddaughters, Allie Ereth and Madilyn Kiemele; father, Ray (Nancy) Kiemele, Bismarck; sister, Neva (Larry) Lang, Bismarck; brother, Barry (Teresa), Mandan; sister, Cindy (Rick) Hoy, Fargo; many nieces and nephews, his dog Mack and many friends. His kind and gentle nature made him a cherished friend.
Kelly was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Vietnam Vets Memorial and the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at The Post, Mandan, ND with Chaplain Dan Sweeney officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Mandan VFW Post #707 and American Legion Post #40. Kelly would be happy if you showed up in jeans and don’t forget your guitar.
Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Kelly Kiemele was born July 30, 1949 to Raymond and Dorothy (O’Donald) Kiemele in Bismarck. Raised and educated in the Bismarck/Mandan area he graduated from Bismarck High in 1967. After high school, Kelly attended the ND State School of Science at Wahpeton for two years in the area of drafting. He served his country in the US Army from 1969 to 1971. He was in the 101st Airborne as a medic with one term in Vietnam. Returning home he spent several years working as a draftsman, carpenter, and in the construction field. On March 24, 1972, Kelly married Patty Dickson in Mandan. He worked for the Amoco Refinery, now Tesoro, until his retirement in 2004.
Kelly had a natural talent and passion for music. Well known in the Bismarck/Mandan area as a guitar player. He played guitar and mandolin in many local bands, such as the Old Five and Dimers with Les Vaagen and Frog Holler String Band with John Lardinois. He spent many happy years accompanying Preston Schmidt and his fiddle. Saturday mornings he could be found jamming with his favorite musicians at his daughter’s coffee shop which he always felt was a privilege. His talents extended beyond playing instruments, he also repaired and rebuilt guitars and mandolins. One would be amazed how he could take a box of guitar parts and end up with a fine playing instrument. You would often see him driving around in his cherished 1929 restored Model A and his 1930 original Model A. His great pride was being with his family especially his granddaughters. His legacy of love, laughter and charity is carried in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved him.
Left with fond memories of a life well lived are his wife, Patty, Mandan; son, Trevor (Heather), Cheyenne, WY; daughter, Tara Kiemele (Gus Ereth), Mandan; granddaughters, Allie Ereth and Madilyn Kiemele; father, Ray (Nancy) Kiemele, Bismarck; sister, Neva (Larry) Lang, Bismarck; brother, Barry (Teresa), Mandan; sister, Cindy (Rick) Hoy, Fargo; many nieces and nephews, his dog Mack and many friends. His kind and gentle nature made him a cherished friend.
Kelly was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy and grandparents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Vietnam Vets Memorial and the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
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