Gearold "Ike" Kielly Obituary (1932

Gearold "Ike" Kielly, 87, of Baxter, Iowa passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2020 at Newton Village in Newton. A private family burial will be held in Restland Cemetery in Baxter, Iowa. A celebration of Ike's life will be held at a later date. Ike was born on December 13, 1932 to Russell and Dorothy (Williams) Kielly in Rhodes, Iowa. He grew up in rural Marshall and Jasper Counties. While getting on the school bus in the first grade his bus driver told him he looked like an Issac and the name Ike stuck. He attended Baxter High School and graduated with the class of 1950. Following school, Ike began working for Al Nuzum Supply Company in Baxter and later became the office manager. He married Joanne Allan on December 27, 1953 in State Center, Iowa. The couple called Baxter their home and raised their family together there. Ike was a staple of the Baxter community where he served as; Mayor, Justice of the Peace, Baxter City Clerk, and served on the Baxter City Council, he announced home footballs games (started out with a megaphone) for nearly 50 years, and was awarded Baxter Citizen of the Year. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the HS Football Coaches Association presented to him by Iowa football coach Hayden Fry. Ike worked for Gooch Feed and ADM as the plant manager before retiring. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, was a strong supporter of the Baxter Community Schools and supporting local businesses. Ike cherished the Kielly family annual vacation to Lake Okoboji, spending time with his family, swinging on his front porch, and watching baseball games. Those left to remember Ike's treasured memories are his four children, David (Carol) Kielly, Canice (Bruce) Connelly, Teresa (Randy) Fuchs, and Marty (Liz) Kielly; eight grandchildren, Josh (Heather) Fuchs, Jeff (Jennifer) Fuchs, Kristy (Ian) Winfield, Ashley (Rick) Kucera, Alyssa (Shawn) Plunkett, Sarah (Zach) Blunt, Hannah (Nick Waite) Kielly, and Morgan Kielly; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings Billy (Sharon) Kielly, Mike (Becky) Kielly, and Shiela Kielly; many nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his Parents, wife Joanne, sister Pat Oetker, brothers-in law Bill Oetker and Bud Allan, sister-in-law Beth Allan, and niece Jacki Oetker. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Attn: Ike Kielly Memorial Fund, Fredregill Funeral Home, PO Box 86, Baxter, Iowa, 50028. Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Ike and his family.