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Virginia Mae Kelty, 81, of Plankinton, SD passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at Firesteel Heathcare Center in Mitchell, SD. Funeral Mass is 1:30 P.M. Saturday, January 13, 2018 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Plankinton. A Committal Service will follow at Mizpah Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, January 12, 2018 with a 7:00 P.M. Wake and Rosary Service.

Virginia Mae (Engelhardt) Kelty was born on May 1, 1936 to Fred and Agnes (Stalarski) Engelhardt in Milwaukee, WI. She graduated from Bloomington High School in 1954 and was employed as a Bookkeeper for the YMCA. Ginny met her future husband, Joe on a blind date while he was in the service. On November 12, 1955 Virginia was united in marriage to Joseph Kelty in Milwaukee. They made their home and raised a family together on the Kelty Homestead outside of Plankinton, SD where they lived their entire married life on the family farm.

Ginny was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, a 4-H Leader and belonged to the Eight O’clock Club. She enjoyed traveling and turned her love of sewing into a business, Ginny’s Country Fabrics on the family farm.

Grateful for having shared in Ginny’s life: her husband of over 62 years, Joe Kelty of Plankinton, SD; five children: Maureen Kelty (Brian Lawler) of Bellingham, WA, Karen (David) Koch of Plankinton, SD, Mary (Mike) Krell of Plankinton, SD, JoAnn (James) Gerlach of Plankinton, SD and Mike Kelty of Logan, OH; nine grandchildren: Melissa (Kevin) Swanson, Jessica Lawler, Jennifer (Randy) Pryor, Stephanie (Steve) Gates, Jordan Krell (fiancé, Theresa), Justin Krell (fiancé, Krista), Matthew Gerlach (fiancé, Janice), Rebecca Gerlach and Andrew Kelty; five great grandchildren: Makenna, Cason, and Allie Pryor, Carter Gates and Caleb Swanson; a sister, Ruth Meyers of Milwaukee, WI; a brother-in-law, Tony Grambihler of Richland, WA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by two infant sons: Thomas and Dennis; her parents, Fred Engelhardt and Agnes Slaats; a step father, Clem Slaats; five siblings: Meta, Esther, Fred, Clara and Edith; and a sister-in-law, Helen.

Memorials in Ginny’s honor may be directed to: Avera@Home – Hospice Mitchell, 525 N. Foster St., Mitchell, SD 57301.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Virginia Mae "Ginny" Kelty (Engelhardt), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

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