Elaine Kay Kelsey

Elaine Kay Kelsey beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend passed away peacefully with her family by her side in her home in Liberty, MO on November 29th at the age of 78.  A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Hampton, Iowa.  There will be a reception with a light meal in the church basement following celebration.

Elaine was born November 17, 1946, in Perry, IA to Fred and Virginia Marshall. Elaine graduated from Perry High School in 1965 and then studied Home Economics at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

On August 26, 1967, Elaine was united in marriage to Paul Kelsey at the First Christian Church in Perry, IA.  From this union they had four children Tim, Kahlea, Abigail and Erin.  

Elaine spent her early years of marriage in Dawson (Perry) as a home maker and mother. The family later moved to Guthrie Center and in 1978 settled in Hampton, IA for 46 years.

Elaine’s passion has always been childhood development and bringing out the creative side of an individual.  She was able to share her gifts raising her children and grandchildren, working with kids in her church, Girl Scouts, consumers at Access, Inc. and Hampton Public Children’s Library.

Elaine was dedicated to the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ. She taught all levels of Sunday School and Bible School.  She served on both the Christian Education and Women’s Fellowship committees, secretary and contributing writer to the monthly newsletters.

A lifelong Girl Scout and 4H member, Elaine served manly roles including Hampton’s neighborhood chairman, troop coordinator, and troop leader for all ages.  Elaine really enjoyed cookie sales, day trips, Camp Gaywood, crafts and developing future leaders. 

As her children got older Elaine went back to work. She worked many years at Access, Inc. in Hampton for people with disabilities where she loved teaching them painting. When her dream job at the Hampton Public Library opened, she again was able to share her love of storytelling and puppetry as the children’s librarian. She loved the summertime reading program and would spend countless hours making set decorations and picking out just the right story! She brought storytelling into the Hampton community by recruiting volunteers to read at the daycares and elementary schools. She donated and delivered books to children all over town. She could literally recite any children’s book!

Elaine always had a presence in her children’s lives whether it was 4-H, enjoying the outdoors at Beeds Lake, watching for wildlife, or taking road trips with her family and friends. She was always up for an adventure!

In her later years she enjoyed sending popup cards, watching women’s basketball, playing friendly card games at the Hampton Senior Center.  Elaine and Paul moved to Liberty, MO in February of 2024 to be close to family.

She was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Virginia Marshall.

She is survived by husband Paul Kelsey of Liberty, MO, son Tim Kelsey (Jimmy) Lee’s Summit, MO, daughters Kahlea Green (Sam) of Liberty, MO, Abigail Judge (David) Kansas City, MO, and  Erin Sherman (John) of Prairie Village, KS;  grandchildren Blair Dennison (Aaron), Jake Green, Cole Green, Katherine Judge and Edward Judge; great grandchildren Aiden Dennison and Elizabeth Dennison; a sister Deb Rueber (Dale) of Jesup, IA,  brother Steve Marshall Perry, IA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorial donations can be made to the Hampton Public Library’s summer Reading Program