Christyl Kelly

Battle Creek, Iowa — Christyl Kelly, 46, of Battle Creek, Iowa, formerly of O'Neill, died Friday, Aug. 25, 2023 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2023 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7 p.m. prayer service.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at the O'Neill Methodist Church in O'Neill.

Burial will be in the Paddock Union Cemetery near O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Christyl was born on Jan. 27, 1977 in O'Neill to Arthur "Butch" Emme and Marilyn (Miller) Murphy. She graduated from Spencer-Naper High School, in Spencer, in 1995. 

After graduation, she attended National American University in Rapid City, SD where she earned her degree in veterinary technology.  Christyl later continued her education at SDSU in Brookings, SD.  In 2005, she received her degree in animal science.   

She worked for veterinary clinics in Neligh and Huron, Gregory, Burke and Sioux Falls, SD before working in the feed lab at DFS in Newell, Iowa. Most recently, she has been working for herself in ag sales in Iowa. 

Christyl had a gift for taking care of animals, especially babies. She could nurse various lambs and calves back to health. Her latest project was an orphaned foal named Captain.  

She enjoyed trail rides, barrel racing, Disney movies, gardening and working various woodworking projects. But above all, she loved spending time with her nieces and nephews. 

Christyl is survived by her fiancé Brent Riessen of Battle Creek, Iowa; three siblings Curt (Alexa) Emme, Jenna (Dustin) Slaymaker and Matt (Jadelyn) Murphy, all of O'Neill; two nieces Serenity Murphy and Autumn Emme; three nephews Kaden Murphy, Nathaniel Sidak and Alex (Lydia) Fuhrer; one great niece Octavia; and many other relatives and friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Butch Emme and Marilyn Murphy and grandparents Cecil and Mattie Miller and Willard and Norma Emme.