Kelly Allan Aakre, 50, Hankinson, ND, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2016 in Wahpeton, ND. Funeral services will be on Friday, March 11, at 11 AM at St. John's Catholic Church, Wahpeton, ND with Rev. Dale Lagodinski officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery, Mooreton, ND. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton, ND.
Kelly was born on November 4, 1965 in Bagley, MN to Harlan and Shirley (Bjerke) Aakre. He was baptized and confirmed at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Clearbrook, MN. He attended school in Clearbrook and graduated in 1984. He then moved to Thief River Falls, MN and attended AVTI Technical College for Auto Body Technician.
He met his future wife, Julie Breuer, while he was going to college. They were united in marriage on November 23, 1985 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Mooreton, ND. They moved to a farm near Hankinson, ND and together raised three children, Matthew, Nicholas, and Nathan. Kelly was a very skilled painter and welder. He had his own shop in St. Hilaire, MN and later in Mooreton, ND. He also worked for Berger Body Shop, Wil-Rich, Tri-State Trucking, and most recently at Meide and Sons in Wahpeton.
When Kelly was young he helped on the family farm and trapped with his father. He enjoyed restoring cars, hunting, fishing, bowling, and having livestock on his farm. The people he held dear to his heart were his children and grandchildren, whether it was backyard barbeques, shooting baskets, or baking with the grandkids, he would always look forward to those times he shared with them.
Kelly is survived by his parents, Harlan and Shirley Aakre, Clearbrook, MN; his wife, Julie Aakre, Hankinson, ND; his sons, Matthew Aakre, Mandan, ND, Nicholas Aakre and Nathan Aakre, both of Wahpeton, ND; his grandchildren, Mia, Elianah, Bentley, Brodie, James, and Kaydence; his brother, James (Doreen) Aakre, Clearbrook, MN; his sister, Judy (Darryl) Bjerke, Bemidji, MN; and six nieces and nephews, Devin Aakre, Katelynn (Reed)Sanders, Laura Aakre , Alissa Bjerke, Trevor Bjerke, and Logan Bjerke.
He was preceded by his paternal grandparents, Ingvald and Ida Aakre, and maternal grandparents, Roy and Gladys Bjerke.
Visitation
St. John's Catholic Church
115 2nd Street North
Wahpeton, ND 58075
Friday, March 11, 2016
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Service
St. John's Catholic Church
115 2nd Street North
Wahpeton, ND 58075
Friday, March 11, 2016
11:00 AM
Cemetery
St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery
Mooreton, ND
Friday, March 11, 2016
1:15 PM