Mary Ellen Kelling
Mary Ellen Kelling
Mary Ellen Kelling
March 15, 1924 – August 22, 2016
Montezuma, Iowa | Age 92
Mary Ellen Kelling, 92, of Montezuma passed away peacefully Monday evening, August 22, 2016 at the Montezuma Specialty Care in Montezuma. Mary Ellen Kelling, the daughter of John and Hazel (Crawford) Edwards, was born on March 15, 1924 in Truesdale, Iowa.
Mary Ellen graduated from Truesdale High School and received her teaching degree from Buena Vista University.
On December 24, 1944, Mary Ellen was united in marriage to Fay Kelling in Fort Worth, Texas. To this union three children were born: Ron, JoAnn and John.
Mary Ellen taught school in Goldfield and also substitute taught in Clarion before purchasing a restaurant in Hampton, Iowa in the late 1950’s, renaming it Fay’s Cafe. They were in the restaurant business for nearly 35 years.
In the early 1980’s, Fay and Mary Ellen purchased a place at Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma. Fay passed away in 1988.
Mary Ellen was a member of the Montezuma United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the Forest Home Club, KEN Club, the Montezuma Country Club and many other bridge groups. She also volunteered with the Montezuma Food Pantry.
She enjoyed playing solitaire, 500, Poker with the guys, Bingo, puzzles and watching Montezuma sports on the Montezuma local channel. She was an avid reader and a huge Chicago Cub and Iowa Hawkeye fan.
Mary Ellen was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed playing dominoes and rummikub with her grandchildren.
Mary Ellen’s memory will be cherished by her children: Ron (& Diane) Kelling of Ankeny, JoAnn (& Paul) Keferl of Montezuma and John (& Joanne) Kelling of Des Moines; nine grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fay; and two sisters, Virginia de St. Paer and Francine Schlee.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Montezuma United Methodist Church.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Glenwood Cemetery at Goldfield, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Montezuma Food Pantry or the Montezuma United Methodist Church.
