Kaye Kellis
December 14, 2010
Kaye Kellis, 61, joined her Savior, Jesus Christ in eternal life on December 14, 2010, at Bright Kavanagh House.
Kaye’s love of family was total and unwavering. Her love for Mike, her husband, was genuine. They were truly best friends. They loved spending time with each other, whether it was traveling or just a friendly “competitive” game of cards. She helped Mike to have a better and more open relationship with his Lord. He is, without a doubt, a better man because of her.
Then… there were her boys. She HAD to have a close relationship with God to raise them! She welcomed the challenge God put before her to live in a house full of men. They made sure, whenever adding a new pet to the family, to try and get her a female. She was proud of her boys as they grew into men, and had families of there own. To see the glow in her face, with each accomplishment that was made, and to see the twinkle in her eye, when they gave her 4 wonderful grandchildren. Her family was her life.
Her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She was always eager to spend time with them and just sit down and chat about their day. Whenever she was out she would look for books or videos that would help them know Jesus better. All of the kids like spending time with Nana. Mary liked the times Nana would come to see her dance and watch her play softball. Abigail is so happy Nana helped her start horseback riding and watched her play softball. Addison loved to try on jewelry with Nana and go to the fair and eat everything. Zennon likes to find the most dangerous situation he can to see how fast Nana can run. She has tried to spend as much time as she could with the grandchildren so they would know who Nana was and how much she loved them.
She always had something to do, and someone’s life to touch. She was a past president for her chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She enjoyed participating in events with the Red Hat Society. Kaye got great joy from her church. She was a committee member of the LCC Preschool, part of a leadership team for the Christ Life Solutions, and a member of the Water Walker group at Lutheran Church of the Cross. Kaye described her relationship with her group as “a close knit group of sisters in Christ." She enjoyed learning more about herself through helping others find Christ in their own lives.
Kaye was always on the go! From a weekend campout to 2 weeks in Hawaii, she loved traveling. She also had a great affection for the Iowa State Fair, making several visits each year to see every exhibit she could. Mike and Kaye vacationed many times in Branson with their family and friends. They have many special memories of new and old places. Christ was at the center of all of Kaye’s relationships. She touched the lives of countless people over the years and will be greatly missed.
Kaye is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Mike; sons, David (Amy) Kellis and Chad (Jill) Kellis; father, Glen Caswell; sister, Vicki Martin; and her beloved grandchildren, Mary, Abigail, Addison and Zennon.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday December 16, 2010, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2010, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th Street SW in Altoona, followed by burial at Altoona Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa or Lutheran Church of the Cross.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Deb Dalton
12/16/2010
I hope the whole family can feel the big hug I am sending to you. After a sleepless night I decided that I should not attempt the trip with my old car and the bad weather. It breaks my heart not to be there for you and that I didn't get to meet up with her in November. She was my Kappa Tau sister and lifelong friend and the world is a better place because she was here. Oh those camping trips--they were something!! In our phone talks it was obvious that the grandkids were a joy to her. When we started out I think she was the liberal and I the conservative and we seemed to switch places through the years! We learned to tolerate that difference as the golden thread of friendship was stronger. We are all grieving that she has left us but as the tears thin we can focus on celebrating that we were blessed to have had her in our lives at all and I thank God for that. With my love to you all-DEB