Roger E. Kelley, 78, of Lake Mills, died on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Muse Norris Hospice Unit in Mason City. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. today at New Life Christian Church, 1705 SE Marshall Street in Albert Lea with Elder Bob Snow officiating.

Military rites will be performed by Albert Lea American Legion Post No. 56 and Albert Lea VFW Post No. 447.

Family greeted friends during a visitation gathering from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday evening at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, 902 E. Main St., Lake Mills. Inurnment will take place at a later date.

Roger Eugene Kelley was born on Jan. 29, 1935, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Daniel and Loretta (Gorman) Kelley. He was baptized at St. John’s Church. Roger attended school in Austin and from there joined the Navy. He was a seaman third class serving in the Korean War on the USS Missouri, helping with food service and loading guns below deck. He traveled to Korea, Japan, Hawaii and Florida. He was very proud to have served his country and shared his stories with many.

On Feb. 19, 1968, he was united in marriage to Sandra Boe in Mason City.

Roger attended training in St. Paul and worked as a laborer with his most recent employer being Universal Circuits (Die Electric) in Lake Mills for many years before he retired. In his retirement he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who meant the world to him. He enjoyed fishing on family vacations in Minnesota, dancing, collecting Star Wars, G.I. Joe and Ninja Turtles memorabilia (influenced by his grandchildren) as well as building small scale villages and various projects around the house. He was a member of the New Life Church in Albert Lea. Roger enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow up. He had a wonderful sense of humor that all who knew him could appreciate.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sandra of Lake Mills; daughter, Patty Kelley of Shakopee; son, Daniel Kelley of Mason City; daughter, Shannon and husband Chuck Johnson of Richmond, Va.; and daughter Tammy Smit of Joice, Iowa. Surviving grandchildren include Christopher, Aubrey, Tyler, Destiny, Isaac, Andrea, Michelle, Jessica, Kayla; eight great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, Richard ‘Johnny’ Kelley of Austin; and special cousin and partner-in-mischief, Jeanette. This list does not include the many nieces and nephew, cousins, other relatives and friends who were graced with knowing him.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Tim Kelley; and his sister-in-law, Tilly Kelley.

Roger loved spending time with his family, his grandchildren and sharing story after story.

To contact the family with condolences visit www.mittelstadtfuneralhome.com or call 641-592-0221.