Thelma Vivian (Carter) KELLEY

CARTER, KELLEY, GILLESPIE, POWELL, WILKINS, MOOLICK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2010 at 16:07:22

January 14, 1922 - December 11, 2010

Thelma Vivian (Carter) Kelley, age 88, passed away peacefully at Rowley Memorial Masonic Home on December 11, 2010. Thelma was born January 14, 1922 in Virginia City, Montana, the eldest child of Oscar and Ethyl (Gillespie) Carter. Following the family's move to Iowa, she attended schools in Clarion and Bouton, graduating from Bouton High School. On November 19, 1939, Thelma married her soulmate, Richard John Kelley, and was a loving, supportive and devoted partner for over 65 years until Dick's passing in 2004. Thelma and Dick were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Kathy and Karla, and raised their loving family in Perry, IA. While Thelma worked at various employers, holding positions ranging from the Nika Cola Girl at Powell Bottling Company to the receptionist at Wil-Mar beauty salon, without question her most important occupations were those of wife, mother, and friend. Thelma lived each day for her family, supporting Dick through his long careers as a Railroader and Farmer, as well as remaining actively involved in the lives of her daughters and grandchildren. Thelma was a wonderful cook who loved to host large family dinners for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Her table always had room for neighbors or friends with no family nearby. She was an avid gardener, seamstress, and ceramic artist. Regular bridge games with her dear friends were also very important to her, and she frequently opened her home to her grandsons and their friends for movies, games, and meals. Thelma loved to follow sporting events and was a member of the Die Hard Chicago Cubs Fan Club. Thelma will be especially remembered for her selflessness, her dedication to her family, and for her infectious smile and laughter.

Survivors include daughter Kathy Powell and son-in-law John of Perry, grandchildren Michael M. Powell and wife Kendi of Clive, Mark J. Powell and wife Kris of Perry, and great-grandchildren Sheridan Kelley Powell, Carter Michael Powell, and Isabelle Grey Powell. Thelma was preceded in death by husband Dick, daughter Karla Kelley Wilkins, her parents, sister Lois Moolick, and beloved dog Cubby.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17 at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Perry. Everyone is welcome to join the family in the St. Martin's Parish hall for dinner following the service. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Rowley Memorial Masonic Home and Hospice of Central Iowa for their excellent care of our mother and grandmother over the last 4 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home, or Hospice of Central Iowa and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home.

Des Moines Register - Iowa
December 15, 2010