Vonda Leigh Kelly (nee’ Jackson), age 86, of Hudson, WI (formerly of Bloomington, MN) went to her Heavenly Home on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Born on October 27, 1937 in Roseau, MN, her family later relocated to Kenyon, MN near the Jackson family farm. She married her high school sweetheart, Dave Vettrus, on September 16, 1955, and they raised their 4 children in Bloomington. They were very involved in church life, Scouts, camping and music. She lived 55 years in the home that she loved. She later married Gene Kelly in 1997. They enjoyed MN sports, travel and time spent with family and, of course, the many Bloomington events that she helped create.
She loved God and served Him well. She loved her family and did so many things to raise them and prepare them for the world. She valued hard work and doing our best. Along with that, looking our best. She was proud to have come from Scandinavian heritage. She was a leader and valued making great things happen with those that reported to her. She was an excellent piano player and enjoyed all kinds of music and arts. She was a historian and enjoyed teaching it and creating enthusiasm in others for history.
Vonda began her career at The City of Bloomington in Parks and Recreation in 1973 and quickly became a powerhouse of event planning and creation of many of Bloomington’s most loved festivals and events including River Rendezvous, Summer Fete, and Heritage Days, just to name a few. She also managed The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and Medalist Bands for 20+ years. After retiring from the City in the late 1990’s she picked up the torch of Historic Preservation by becoming President of the Bloomington Historical Society, a position which she held until 2020. She was instrumental in securing financing for the restoration of the Bloomington Town Hall, Gideon Pond homestead and the old Cedar Bridge, along with her dear friend Larry Granger.
Vonda will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children; Greg (Laurie) Vettrus, Brad (Bev) Vettrus, Monica (Steve) Simonson, Lori (CJ) Nelson; 7 grandchildren; Jessica, Daniel, Rebecca (Matt), Amy, Ryan (Kim), Jacob, and Laura; 6 great grandchildren; Miriam, Abbie, Ella, Adelynn, Ben, Piper; siblings – sister Bonnie (Ordean) Greseth, brother Marc (Deb) Jackson; as well as many nephews, nieces, other relatives and dear friends.
We take comfort in knowing that Vonda will be reunited in Heaven with her loving husband Gene Kelly who preceded her to Heaven, parents Leighton and Francis, brother and sister-in-law (Dyke and Harriet Jackson), grandson-in-law Andrew, many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 10 at Aspelund Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 42957 County 1 Boulevard, Kenyon, MN at 11:00am with graveside following the service. Visitation will be 9:30-11:00am before the service. Luncheon will follow at the church.
Arrangements by Rochester Cremation Services, Rochester, MN. Memories and condolences of Vonda may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
Sincere condolences dear Lori and Curt
Vonda and Larry were wonderful! They shared so much of Bloomington’s history with our residents. In their honor, lots of people volunteer at the museum and try to carry on their work. It is still a busy place to be.
With their help we now have a family tree of Bloomington that contains over 7,000 people and a list of almost every business that ever operated in Bloomington. Their efforts were not in vain. A whole new group of people carry on their work. I hope they are in heaven digging up more history with all of our forebears.