Kenneth “Bud” Connelly

Kenneth “Bud” Connelly May 3, 1917 ~ July 5, 2010 Mill City, Oregon Kenneth “Bud” Connelly, 93, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2010 in Sublimity, Oregon. Bud was born in Big Stone County, Minnesota May 3, 1917 to Jim and Carrie (Seip) Connelly. In 1923 he relocated with his parents and two sisters, Gladys and Louella, to the Bankton area south of Williams, MN. A third sister, Ina, was born in 1928. Prior to joining the army, Bud worked in lumber camps in northern Minnesota, on harvest crews in North Dakota, and in sawmills in eastern Oregon. In August 1943 he entered the army. He participated in the initial invasion of Saipan on June 18, 1944 in an anti-tank unit. He sustained serious head and leg injuries and was awarded a purple heart. After being discharged in August 1945, Bud returned to Williams, MN where he worked in the woods until 1968. He then moved to Oregon spending a few years in Sisters and Gates before settling in Mill City in 1974 where he operated B & M Logging until his retirement in 1986. During retirement he traveled to Minnesota in the summer and Arizona in the winter. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Bud was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Carrie Connelly, a daughter, Nancy, two sisters, Gladys Otschko and Louella Walsh. He is survived by his daughter Cheryl (John) Roelfsema, a grandson, Ryan Fitzgerald, and a great grandson, Terrek Fitzgerald all of Marseilles, IL. He is also survived by his sister Ina Krull of Williams, MN and many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorials should be directed to the American Legion. Memorial Service will be held Thursday July 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Weddle Funeral Chapel in Stayton Oregon. Arrangements entrusted to Weddle Funeral Services Online Condolence can be made at weddle-funeral.com