1966
Kelly
2016
Kelly Bukkila
April 21, 1966 — February 13, 2016
A webcast of Kelly's funeral service can be seen below in the days following her funeral service.
Kelly Lee (McKenna) Bukkila passed at her home in rural Brandon, MN on Saturday, February 13, 2016 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was born April 21, 1966 to Tom and Claudia (Lassard) McKenna in Duluth, MN. Kelly attended Roosevelt High School in Virginia, MN, graduating in 1984. Following graduation, she attended Control Data Institute in Duluth where she studied Computer Technology. After moving to the Twin Cities Metro area in 1985, she began working for Security Life Insurance Company of America where she was employed from 1988 until 2001. During this time she met and was married to her husband, Keith Bukkila, of Evansville, MN. To this union they were blessed with a daughter, Emily. In 2002 she and her family moved to their present home in Brandon and began working for Wagner Trucking in Accounts Payable/Receivable. She was currently employed there at the time of her death.
Kelly enjoyed drawing and painting, antiques, cake decorating and especially reading. After a long day of work was complete, one would usually find her sitting in her favorite spot reading one of those cheap paperback novels. Her flower garden was a source of pride, a place where she could relax while watering, weeding and watching the fruits of her labor come into bloom. She was active in her church and took great pleasure in reading scripture to the congregation on Sunday. In her later months she was very disappointed when her body would not allow her to attend Sunday services and would always claim that the following Sunday would be different. Kelly loved animals and couldn't resist puppies or kittens. Many was the time she would want to bring some sort of critter home only to be told that three dogs are enough already! She loved her job at Wagner Trucking but more importantly loved the people she worked with and often referred to them as part of her family. Even towards the end she was bound and determined to get back to work because she didn't want to let anybody down. But most important to Kelly were her friends and family. She always had a kind word for anybody that needed one, even strangers. She liked being with friends, whether it was throwing bean bags, talking over a glass of wine or going to concerts. She loved attending her daughters sporting events, trying to learn all she could about whatever current sport was being played.
She will be remembered for her positive outlook on life and her ability to always be able to find the silver lining in every dark cloud. A smile that would brighten one's day, and a willingness to be there for anyone who needed help.
Kelly is survived by husband Keith Bukkila and daughter Emily Bukkila of Brandon, MN; father, Thomas McKenna of Virginia, MN; sister, Kim McKenna of Buhl, MN; aunts, Donna (Terry) Trottier of Hastings, MN; Bonnie (Howard) Thompson of Remer, MN; Julie Benson of Duluth, MN; uncle, Leroy Lassard; nieces, AJ Geary and Britany McKenna; nephews, Travis Olson and Michael Koslucher; in-laws, Roger (Diane) Bukkila of Evansville, MN; brother-in-law, Duane Ostlund of Evansville, MN; and lifelong friend, Vicki Parise of Eveleth, MN and numerous cousins.
In addition to her grandparents, she was preceded in death by her mother, Claudia (Lassard) McKenna; uncle, Buddy Lassard; and sister-in-law, Kim (Bukkila) Ostlund.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Douglas County.
Kelly's family would like to thank the staffs at Rochester Mayo Clinic and Douglas County Hospital for their support, and Douglas County Hospice staff and volunteers for their care of Kelly.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Saturday, February 20, 2016, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral Service: 1:00 PM Sunday, February 21, 2016, at West Moe Lutheran Church, rural Brandon
Clergy: Pastor Sarah Evenson
Interment: Finnish Apostolic Cemetery, Douglas County, MN
Online Guestbook and Video Tribute: GlendeNilson.com
Kelly Bukkila Memorial Folder
Kelly Lee (McKenna) Bukkila passed at her home in rural Brandon, MN on Saturday, February 13, 2016 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was born April 21, 1966 to Tom and Claudia (Lassard) McKenna in Duluth, MN. Kelly attended Roosevelt High School in Virginia, MN, graduating in 1984. Following graduation, she attended Control Data Institute in Duluth where she studied Computer Technology. After moving to the Twin Cities Metro area in 1985, she began working for Security Life Insurance Company of America where she was employed from 1988 until 2001. During this time she met and was married to her husband, Keith Bukkila, of Evansville, MN. To this union they were blessed with a daughter, Emily. In 2002 she and her family moved to their present home in Brandon and began working for Wagner Trucking in Accounts Payable/Receivable. She was currently employed there at the time of her death.
Kelly enjoyed drawing and painting, antiques, cake decorating and especially reading. After a long day of work was complete, one would usually find her sitting in her favorite spot reading one of those cheap paperback novels. Her flower garden was a source of pride, a place where she could relax while watering, weeding and watching the fruits of her labor come into bloom. She was active in her church and took great pleasure in reading scripture to the congregation on Sunday. In her later months she was very disappointed when her body would not allow her to attend Sunday services and would always claim that the following Sunday would be different. Kelly loved animals and couldn't resist puppies or kittens. Many was the time she would want to bring some sort of critter home only to be told that three dogs are enough already! She loved her job at Wagner Trucking but more importantly loved the people she worked with and often referred to them as part of her family. Even towards the end she was bound and determined to get back to work because she didn't want to let anybody down. But most important to Kelly were her friends and family. She always had a kind word for anybody that needed one, even strangers. She liked being with friends, whether it was throwing bean bags, talking over a glass of wine or going to concerts. She loved attending her daughters sporting events, trying to learn all she could about whatever current sport was being played.
She will be remembered for her positive outlook on life and her ability to always be able to find the silver lining in every dark cloud. A smile that would brighten one's day, and a willingness to be there for anyone who needed help.
Kelly is survived by husband Keith Bukkila and daughter Emily Bukkila of Brandon, MN; father, Thomas McKenna of Virginia, MN; sister, Kim McKenna of Buhl, MN; aunts, Donna (Terry) Trottier of Hastings, MN; Bonnie (Howard) Thompson of Remer, MN; Julie Benson of Duluth, MN; uncle, Leroy Lassard; nieces, AJ Geary and Britany McKenna; nephews, Travis Olson and Michael Koslucher; in-laws, Roger (Diane) Bukkila of Evansville, MN; brother-in-law, Duane Ostlund of Evansville, MN; and lifelong friend, Vicki Parise of Eveleth, MN and numerous cousins.
In addition to her grandparents, she was preceded in death by her mother, Claudia (Lassard) McKenna; uncle, Buddy Lassard; and sister-in-law, Kim (Bukkila) Ostlund.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Douglas County.
Kelly's family would like to thank the staffs at Rochester Mayo Clinic and Douglas County Hospital for their support, and Douglas County Hospice staff and volunteers for their care of Kelly.
Visitation: 5 - 7 PM Saturday, February 20, 2016, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Evansville, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Funeral Service: 1:00 PM Sunday, February 21, 2016, at West Moe Lutheran Church, rural Brandon
Clergy: Pastor Sarah Evenson
Interment: Finnish Apostolic Cemetery, Douglas County, MN
Online Guestbook and Video Tribute: GlendeNilson.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kelly Bukkila, please visit our flower store.