Kelly Edward Walgren, 65, of Wapello, died peacefully at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics surrounded by his family on September 2, 2023, after a battle with cancer. He fought the disease to the very end with an amazing attitude, positive outlook, and incredible strength and stamina after dozens of chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He never complained and made the best out of his situation, even taking a trip to visit his cousin Ron in Hawaii in September of 2022.
Kelly was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on October 16, 1957, to Mary Ellen and Stanley Walgren. He lived his early life in New London and
moved to Wapello when he was in high school. As a kid, he was a daredevil. He could do a 1 ½ dive with a full twist from the high dive; he liked to ride motorcycles; and he still holds the Wapello school record in the pole vault. As a man, Kelly was an outdoorsman. He loved fishing in his grandfather’s boat or hunting for rocks or mushrooms. He was hardworking, a jack-of-all-trades, and there was nothing he couldn’t fix. He had a big heart who liked to help people. With all that energy, it’s no wonder he could take a nap anytime and anywhere! He worked at Monsanto for over 20 years and later for Ecklund and Pforts Construction and Allworth Contracting.
Kelly was a dedicated family man who loved his daughters, Abbey and Lacey, his grandchildren, and all his family. Taken from us too soon and already missing him are his daughters, Abigail Walgren of Morning Sun and Lacey (Anthony) Newsom of Oakville; mother, Mary Ellen of Wapello; brothers Tom (Shawn) of Muscatine and Tim (Michelle) of Quincy, IL; grandchildren AJ, Jaxon, Grace, and Tailinn Newsom; and nieces and nephews Jordan (Mark) Meyer, Alexandra (Luke) Rauenbuehler, Ryan (Lauren) Walgren, and Mitchell Walgren. He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his father, Stanley.
A Celebration of Life in Kelly’s honor will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Wapello United Methodist Church at 319 North Main Street, Wapello, Iowa. A short ceremony will be held and food and refreshments will be served. A memorial has been established for the Wapello Community Ambulance. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are caring for Kelly arrangements and his family.