Donald E. Kelley

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     Donald Eugene Kelley was born September 29, 1929, to Thomas William ‘T.W.’ and Luella Esther (Park) Kelley on their farm near Panama, Iowa. Don was number five of seven children. He was fond of saying his birthdate: “9/29/29”. Don attended country school, starting in the first grade when he was four, and then attended ninth and tenth grades in Woodbine, Iowa until he was needed full-time on the farm during WWII. Don farmed with his dad and brothers east of Woodbine and also worked as a lineman and hired hand. He enlisted in the US Army and served in Alaska from 1950-1953. Don married Janice L. Davis on January 23, 1955. They lived on several farms in the Woodbine area where Don rented the ground. Don and Jan raised their three children with the love and security of family, hard work and Sunday School. Don was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the American Legion Weiss Post #143. He proudly marched in the Legion Color Guard at hundreds of parades, ball games and military funerals.

     Don held his farm sale in 1999, but he never truly retired from farming. At age 90 his failing eyesight may have stopped him from driving a tractor or combine for his younger friends, but he continued to keep track of the field work and weather.

     Don died April 15, 2023, at Azria Health Rose Vista in Woodbine at the age of 93 years, six months and 17 days.

     Don was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice in 2007; sister, Opal (Oren) Toxword; brothers, Walter (Doris) Kelley, Earl (Claire) Kelley, Alvin (Dorothy) Kelley and George Kelley; and brother-in-law, Robert Schraeder. He is survived by his son, Kit (Pam) Kelley of Omaha, Nebraska; daughters, Karen (Thomas) Roed of Paullina, Iowa and Barbara (Glenn) Neideigh of Runnells, Iowa; AFS son, Glenn (Angela) Miller of Sydney, Australia; five grandchildren, Christopher (Ivy) Roed, Laura (Jake) Robertson, Jonathan (Katie) Roed, Daniel (Dionna Woods) Poe and Kaitlin (Zach) Helland; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Lois Schraeder of Woodbine; sister-in-law, Imy Kelley of Council Bluffs; and many other relatives and friends.

MEMORIAL DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO THE WOODBINE FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT OR THE WOODBINE WEISS AMERICAN LEGION POST # 143