Kelvin D. Mulholland

Kelvin Kel Dennis Mulholland, 59, of Millville, MN, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, after a courageous four-year battle with leukemia. Kel was born on August 8, 1955, in Rochester, MN, the fourth child of six born to Dennis and Elaine (Crooks) Mulholland. Kel grew up in Rochester and graduated from John Marshall High School, class of 1973. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975 to 1977, stationed at Twentynine Palms Base in California. He graduated from the College of the Desert in Twentynine Palms with an associate degree in business. On May 3, 1980, Kel married his one-and-only love, Judith Skogerbo. Together they raised four children and were blessed with three grandchildren. Kel served the Rochester community as manager of Christian Book & Gift Shop for over 20 years, until 2001. He oversaw the growth of his familys retail store from 2,000 to 9,500 sq. ft. and the store won several awards during his tenure. His leadership and passion for books helped many deepen their walk with Christ. He served on several boards in the Christian bookselling industry. He also served as mayor of Elgin, MN for a term in 1999, and spent four years on the Elgin City Council. He has worked as a suicide hotline counselor, diesel mechanic, machinist, auto body painter, census counter and dairy herdsman. In March 2011, work came to a halt when Kel was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). He fought hard through the complications and chronic pain that followed multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Until January, he had been in remission following a sibling-matched stem cell transplant in October 2012. Even through his own struggles, Kel always had a heart for those who were feeling knocked down by life. In July 2014, he was able to return to work and began ministering at MN Teen Challenge in Rochester, impacting the lives of many young men recovering from addiction. Kel was also a deacon at Community Presbyterian Church in Plainview. Kel lived with a zest for life. He was a runner and five-time marathoner, who enjoyed biking, dogsledding, road trips, hiking, spending time in nature, and tinkering with his classic cars. Above all, Kel cherished spending time with his family. As a dad, he always made time for the little things like a deer drive at dusk, watching for eagles along the Mississippi, or ending the day with a root beer float. He was a devoted and wonderful husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and Baba to three grandkids. Kel was welcomed into Gods presence by the family members who went before him: his father and mother, Dennis & Elaine Mulholland, and his brother Wayne. Kel is survived by his beloved wife of 35 years, Judy; his daughter, Emily Jo Mulholland of Rochester, MN; his daughter Elena (Ryan) Meredith of Austin, TX; his daughter Sophia Garcia of Millville, MN, and grandchildren Dominic (8), Saylor Rose (5), and Gwen (3); his son Taylor Mulholland of Minneapolis, MN; sister Marilyn (Tom) Middleton of Tyler, TX; sister Karen (Kent) McKenzie of Zumbro Falls, MN; brother Kevin (Laura) Mulholland of Rochester, MN; brother Merlyn (Janet) Mulholland of Rochester, MN; and father- and mother-in-law Rev. Peter & Vivian Skogerbo of Rochester, MN. Kel is also survived by 13 loving nieces and nephews. The Mulholland family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to their team of doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic, especially Dr. Mark Litzow, for their care and guidance during the past four years. Funeral services will be held 12:00 PM Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, in Rochester, MN. The Rev. John Curtiss of Community Presbyterian Church of Plainview will be officiating with burial at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM Friday, March 13, at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Homes and one hour prior to the service. The family requests memorials and donations be made to MN Adult and Teen Challenge, Community Presbyterian Church or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.