Louise F. Kelly

Louise Florence (LaPorte) Kelly moved on to her heavenly home on August 9, 2025, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was born August 18, 1925, in Hart, Michigan, the eighth of nine children in the devout Catholic family of Henry and Stella (Diegel) LaPorte. At the age of 18 she moved to Traverse City and worked as a seamstress at Tru-Fit Trouser and then at J.C. Penney. She was also a server at “the tic shoppe” (Traverse Ice Cream). She met the love of her life, George Kelly, on a blind date. They were married on November 5, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Weare, Michigan, and shortly thereafter built a home on a plot of land on Old Mission Peninsula. By her husband’s side, they began farming what would eventually be over 200 acres of cherries, apples and plums. Over the decades, Louise, ever the hard worker, helped pick cherries on the farm, grew a vegetable garden behind the house, and flowers in numerous beds. She canned meat, vegetables, and fruit, including home-grown raspberries, and was an excellent cook and baker. She was up early every day, often having fresh bread, dinner rolls, donuts, breakfast rolls or coffee cake already made before the rest of the family was awake. She kept her house clean and tidy, washed and painted walls, and more. She also excelled at sewing, making clothing for her children, curtains, and even furniture covers on her beloved Singer sewing machine. In later years, she would sew baby quilts and donate them to the church for new mothers. Louise had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick smile, and was always ready with a hug. She, along with her family, belonged to St. Joseph's Catholic parish in Mapleton, Michigan. It was there that Louise donated so much of her time over the years. She laundered vestments and altar cloths, helped clean the church, cooked for funeral dinners, and baked for fundraisers. She often had the parish priest over for a family dinner. She was also a member of St. Joseph’s Guild and the Maple Grove Friendship Club. A woman of unwavering faith; praying, saying the Holy Rosary, and going to mass were a normal part of life. Louise was preceded in death by her husband; parents; in-laws; brothers Henry (Midge) LaPorte, Edward (Frances) LaPorte, Clarence LaPorte, Leo LaPorte and Joseph LaPorte; and sisters Agnes (Earl) Kelly, Lillian (Howard) Hill and Marie (LaVern) Hipley; and great-granddaughter Evelyn Mae Kelly. Louise will be forever missed by her children: Thomas (Leslie) Kelly of Worthington, Ohio; Timothy Kelly, of Knoxville, Tennessee; Kathleen (John) Kolhoff, of Bastrop, Texas, and Karen (Darryl) Armstrong of Muskegon, Michigan. She leaves behind her wonderful grandchildren: Brian (Katelyn) Kelly and Lori (Brice) Eldredge, both of Nashville, Tennessee; Christopher Kelly of Columbus, Ohio; Daniel (Bethany Crawford) Kelly of Dublin, Ohio; Ian (Jaclyn) Armstrong of Sparta, Michigan; Noah (Sarah) Armstrong of Muskegon, Michigan and Lindsay (Sam) Delamarter of Fruitport, Michigan. Her precious great-grandchildren who will miss her loving smile: George Kelly; Monte and Murray Eldredge; Jack and Iris Kelly; Kellin and Sutton Armstrong; Isaiah and Celia Armstrong and Nora and Vivian Delamarter. She loved her many nephews and nieces who will also miss her caring heart. Louise's funeral services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12675 Center Road, Traverse City. Visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m., and a Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Mapleton, MI. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Father Fred Foundation.

Louise F. Kelly

August 18, 1925 - August 9, 2025