Mabel Jane "Mitzi" Kelly, 84, of Belvidere, IL passed away peacefully, Tuesday evening, December 16, 2014 in Rockford Memorial Hospital.  She was born March 2, 1930 in Shawano, WI the daughter of Louis and Susan (Knippel) Raddant.  After attending Shawano public schools, she was a graduate of Northwest Institute of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, MN, and worked at Highland hospital in Belvidere for two years.  She met the love of her life, Pete Kelly, while in Belvidere and they were married September 14, 1952, in Shawano, WI.  They lived briefly in Morristown, NJ and Madison, WI, before living in Rockford for 12 years.  They moved to Boone County in 1968.  Mitzi became involved in many organizations, serving on the United Way Board many years and acting as its campaign chairperson for two years; she was on the Boone County Conservation Board for five years and served as president of the Town and Country Garden Club, the Women's Garden Club of Boone county, and the Good Earth Organic Garden Club.  Mitzi was president of the Belvidere Women's Club and District Four of the Illinois Federation of Women's Clubs.  She became a Master Gardener with the University of Illinois Extension Service in 1982.  Mitzi's passion was her family, traveling, and gardening; she touched many lives.

Mitzi is loved and will be missed by her children, Kathleen (Lavern) Njos of Belvidere; sons, Dan Kelly of Rockford and James Kelly of Chicago; grandchildren, Shane, Kelly, Cody Njos, Audrey, Michelle and Michael Kelly.  She is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Pete.

Memorial gathering will be held from 1:00- 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2015 at Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given in care of the Boone County Conservation District or the Ida Public Library in her name.  To light a candle or to share, please visit www.AndersonFCS.com.