By Kevin Schulz
The Land Editor
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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.
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Kevin Schulz is the editor of The Land. He may be reached at editor@thelandonline.com.
