The Land lost a family member Memorial Day weekend.
Dennis John Kelly, writer of the "Grain Angles" column for 15 years, lost a short, but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
Dennis had contacted me in late 2008, feeling it was time to move on from writing his column. He did say that he was willing to stay on as long as needed until I found a replacement.
Well, as anybody would do given that ultimatum, I didn't look for a replacement - not too hard at least.
Dennis was very reliable, someone I could always count on to get his column in on time, and his columns were well-received by readers. I often took calls from readers wanting to talk with Dennis about something a little more thorough than his column allowed, or they wanted him to come to speak to their marketing group. Why would I want to rush to replace a guy like that?
I kept putting off the search, until I granted Dennis' wish that he finally turn the "Grain Angles" reins over to someone else. That's when fellow AgStar man Tom Neher came onto the scene.
That was barely a year ago, and Dennis didn't know he was even sick.
Dennis' wife, Mary, said it was three months and four days from the time that he was diagnosed, until his passing.
The first column Dennis wrote for us appeared in the Jan. 14, 1994, issue. At that time he was a Farm Business Management instructor with South Central Technical College in North Mankato.
In that introductory column, Dennis wrote, "I hope that by getting involved in the business of writing for The Land that I can stir your interest in marketing and get you to get out and ask questions, so you can improve your skills in marketing and put more money in your pocket. It will increase your bottom line and keep your business healthy."
That was Dennis, trying to help others get better.
Dennis was only 49, far too young to be taken from us, and far too young to be taken from his family. Dennis is survived by Mary, daughter, Lauren, and son, David, in addition to his mother, Carol, and brothers Brian, Tim, Mike and Terry.
Dennis was eulogized at the funeral as honest, a friend, a loving family man.
Minnesota agriculture lost a good one.
...
Kevin Schulz is the editor of The Land. He may be reached at editor@thelandonline.com.
Land Minds
Related Photos
-
Kevin Schulz Kevin Schulz
Discussion
Land Minds: Dennis helped others get better
Originally published in the June 11, 2010, print edition.
- Land Minds
-
-
Land Minds: 2011 — A year in preview
Any idiot can tell you what’s ALREADY happened. It takes a different kind of idiot entirely to claim he’ll tell you what WILL happen. On that note, here’s what we all have to look forward to in 2011…
-
Land Minds: Dennis helped others get better
The Land lost a family member Memorial Day weekend. Dennis John Kelly, writer of the "Grain Angles" column for 15 years, lost a short, but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
-
Land Minds: A lot to think about this spring
What a spring and kudos to you Minnesota farmers. I doubt if you ever have planted this much crop this early and this easily. There just weren't any serious challenges from Mother Nature.
-
Land Minds: Penance for justice
In each case, the legal system was forced to step in and exact justice when a so-called adult was criminally irresponsible. But what about when the legal system isn't allowed to step in, and justice is never served?
-
Land Minds: Planting progress unpredictable
I would have been picking you out a nice white jacket with extra buckles if only a month ago you had told me that the 2010 planting progress would be that far ahead of 2009 and the past five years.
-
Land Minds: Desperate and disenfranchised
More and more Americans feel disenfranchised by their own government. The Tea Party movement is millions of free-enterprise citizens wanting to be heard. Their voices will be heard next November.
-
Land Minds: Sick and tired
Nothing I’ve contracted is going to be featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr. Doug never dramatically treated a young boy for excessive phlegm on “E.R.”
-
Land Minds: A record with a cause
“When you see someone dying of cancer in the hospital bed, we forget about the family and loved ones in the background.”
-
Land Minds: Bumps on the road to liberty
I sense we are becoming a nation of entitlements. And in the process of this slide into socialism, I sense that we can no longer rely upon the “political process” to reverse this uncomfortable transition. “What’s in it for me?” seems to be the new mantra now embraced by many people including our elected officials.
-
Land Minds: All the news that’s fit to print
To get a taste of what our friends in the big-time, mainstream media are up to, I try to keep an eye out for New York Times stories that deal with farming and agriculture.
- More Land Minds Headlines
-
