Bruce Kelma

Bruce “Goose” John Kelma, age 75, of Ripon, WI, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at his home in Ripon.

Bruce was born April 24, 1941, in Ripon, the son of John and Minnie (Adler) Kelma. He graduated from Ripon High School, and went on to do many great things. On May 18, 1963, Bruce married Audrey Priebe in Green Lake at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was a member of the church council and school board of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church and School. Bruce was active in Ripon Dartball League, Over 30 Softball League, and a Couple’s Bowling League for many years. He enjoyed coaching his children and grandchildren in basketball, served as a coach for Ripon Little League Baseball, and coached 18 seasons of basketball at Peace Evangelical Lutheran School. Bruce’s biggest enjoyment was attending the sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed the time he spent hunting with his son Greg, and loved the time he spent traveling abroad with his sister and brother-in-law. Bruce was employed at Speed Queen for over 37 years and was co-owner of ABC Medical Transport for 13 years.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey Kelma of Ripon, WI; his daughter, Jodi (Mike) of Neosho, WI and children, Andrea, Melissa, Dominic and Dynali; his daughter, Jill (Mike) of Ripon, WI and children, Sara (Gary), Becca, Sean (Lily), and Morgan; his son, Greg (Alicia) of Green Lake, WI and their children, Jacob, Jenna, and Hunter; Seven great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Weick of Lake City, MN, Gerri (Tom) Kono of Green Lake, WI. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Jeffrey Kelma, Karla Kelma; mother and father-in-law, Martin and Margaret Priebe; brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger Priebe, Harold Weick, Diana Walsh, Gloria (Dennis) Wegner.

Visitation for Bruce Kelma will be held Friday, July 29, 2016, from 4 – 7 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971 and again on Saturday, July 30, 2016, from 9:30 – 10:30 am at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 440 Lake St., Green Lake, WI 54941.

Funeral Service for Bruce Kelma will be held Saturday, July 30, 2016, at 10:30 am at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Green Lake. Reverend Rodney E. Dietsche will officiate. Interment will follow at Bluffton Cemetery in the Town of Brooklyn. Memorials may be made to Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church or School, P.O. Box 224, Green Lake, WI 54941, Winnebago Lutheran Academy, 475 E Merrill Ave, Fond du Lac, WI 54935, and Agnesian Hospice Hope Green Lake, 745 South St., Green Lake, WI 54941.

Please visit www.butzinmarchant.com to send online condolences.