Obituary - Victor Kelly Lindholm, 88

Victor Kelly was born to Carl Victor and Hannah (Kelly) Lindholm at their ranch home on Friday, November 13, 1914. He passed from this earth Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at the age of 88.

Kelly lived his entire life within a half-mile of his birthplace on land his father bought in 1902. His father died when Kelly was 13 years old. While the farming chores fell on Kelly’s shoulders, he attended Eads High School graduating in 1933. It was not all work though since he talked about playing basketball in high school and also playing summer baseball on the Eads town team.

Kelly was united in marriage to Eunice Hollister on March 15, 1936. To this union was born four children: Carl Victor, Kyle Eugene, Mary Frances and Kenneth Kelly.

Kelly loved the work on the ranch and was at work early in the morning until late in the evening. He enjoyed his cattle and usually seemed to have some of the best dry land crops around. He raised turkeys for a number of years. His work ethics were instilled in his children at a young age. He believed in "honesty pays" and it was taught by word and deed. He was still milking a cow when he was 80 years old and continued light chores in his mid 80’s. Kelly was baptized into Christ in 1940. Sunday was his day of rest and worship and he missed very few worship services until his health began to fail. He was an active servant in the church holding various offices over the years. He had three serious farm accidents that took a toll on his body, but didn’t hinder his spirit or his faith in God. He always believed God was in control.

Kelly was a loving husband and father. He was of a quiet nature, but he had a sense of humor that was appreciated by his family and those who knew him well. He loved to tease his children and grandchildren and he enjoyed them teasing him. One of the fond memories his children have is playing baseball or basketball with their dad on Sunday afternoons. He never seemed too tired to play or go to town to watch them in their various activities which included church, 4-H and school. In later years, those trips were to watch his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play ball or wrestle.

Kelly was very proud of his Swedish heritage and his family’s early settling in Colorado. His "papa" came to Colorado from Iowa in 1894 and in 1902 bought land one mile east of Eads from a homesteader. His father’s cattle brand, V - J, was recorded in Ordway in 1895 and was continued in use by Kelly.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1928, mother in 1969, son Kyle Eugene in 1983, and brother Carl John in 1998.

He is survived by his wife, Eunice, of 67 years, son Carl V. (Kathryn), of Holly, daughter, Mary (Marvin) Yakel of Independence, Missouri, son, Kenneth K. (Elaine), of Eads. Nine grandchildren, Tammy (Jerry) Smith, Karla (Randy) Lowe, Michelle (Shayne) Jones, Christopher (Erin), Hollie, Sandy, Laura, Kelly V. & Kevin Lindholm. Four great-grandchildren, Cameron and Preston Lowe, Shawn and Courtney Jones.

Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on, And cherished memories never fade because a loved one is gone... Those we love can never be more than a thought apart, For as long as there is memory, they will live on in the heart.

We will miss him greatly and we know that he is in a better place.

The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith."

Funeral services for Victor Kelly Lindholm were held on Friday, March 21, 2003 at the First Christian Church in Eads with Minister Alvin Clamp officiating. Love Liebl was the pianist and Pat Thomas was the organist. Kelly’s grandchildren Chris Lindholm and wife Erin Lindholm, Hollie, Sandy, Laura, Kelly and Kevin Lindholm sang several special selections for their Grandpa’s funeral service. They were "Hallelujah Square", "In the Sweet Bye & Bye" and "When We All Get to Heaven" At the conclusion of the service, the entire congregation sang "When the Role Is Called up Yonder". Serving as casket bearers were: Chris Lindholm, Kelly Lindholm, Randy Lowe, Cameron Lowe, Jerry Weirich and Duane Stoker. Honorary casket bearers were Shawn Jones, Preston Lowe, Kevin Lindholm and Dale LeGrand. The final committal services were held at the Eads Cemetery, and then the family returned to the First Christian Church for a fellowship dinner and a time of greeting their many friends. Memorial contributions may be given to the First Christian Church or the Lamar Area Hospice. Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.