Kelland Lane O'Brien

Kelland Lane O’Brien, age 75, passed away 08/09/19 at home in Garden Valley. He was born on 02/17/44 to Hugh F. O’Brien and Esther Lomeland in their home in Brockway, WI. At the age of 3, Kelland and several siblings were sent to live at St. Michael’s Catholic orphanage in La Crosse, WI. After dropping out of 9th grade, he enlisted in the Navy on his 17th birthday and was stationed in Istanbul, Turkey. He sailed home 2 years later on the USS Randolph. Kelly married Arlene Dennis and briefly joined the Merchant Marines. He then became a shrimp boat captain, running between Texas and Florida. After his divorce from Arlene, he moved to Sauk Village, IL, where he met and married Franceen Schneider. Kelland opened a gas station there and eventually worked at a nearby steel mill. He was a member of ESDA in the Village. His life changed in April of 1986 after being involved in a motorcycle accident while visiting Florida. Divorced shortly after, Kelly eventually made it back to Wisconsin and settled in rural Alma Center after a short stay in Sparta at the home of his beloved niece, Maryann Arnold. He had a variety of interests and hobbies, most notably was his love of history and watching westerns on TV. Kelland kept occupied by creating leather wallets, making wood crafts, creating plastic models, and playing cards with friends. He scrapped metal at his “farm” and collected antiques. He loved spending time in the Merrillan Cafe, Full Moon Saloon, and Big Street Bar, often telling stories and jokes and listening to Johnny Cash and Marty Robbins. A member of the Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club, he was the proud owner of all three types, with his favorite being his 1929 Essex that he fully restored. Kelly was also a member of American Legion Post 541 in Northfield. Kelland is survived by his four children: Kelly Jon of WI; Rudy of Canon City, CO; Kelly Lane of Steger, IL; and Loreen of Alma Center, WI. His sister, Lois Beenken of Wisconsin Rapids, and brother, Hugh O’Brien of Montague, MA, also survive him. He has 8 grandchildren (Eric, Carolyn, Valerie, Cheyanne, Dawsen, Alexandra, Rebecca, and Matthew) and 8 great grandchildren. Kelland was preceded in death by two infant daughters and one grandson. His siblings include Jeanette, Allan, Lindsey, Dennis, Bruce, and Warren , who also preceded him. A viewing will be held at Buswell Funeral Home in Black River Falls on Thursday, August 15th from 2 to 4 p.m., followed by full military honors. Burial will be at a later date in Garden Valley. Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.