Memorial Services will be held 11:00 A.M., Monday, March 22, 2010 at the United Church of Christ in Estelline.

Wilda I. Kelley was born on November 22, 1914 in Elrod, SD, the daughter of Frank and Mabel (Adams) Bickel.

Wilda received most of her early education in Elrod, SD, graduating from Aberdeen High School in 1932. She continued her education at Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD and graduated in 1934 in education. She taught at the Elrod School system for 2 years following graduation from college. She was united in marriage to Robert H. Kelley on June 1, 1936 in Garden City, SD and they moved to Estelline, SD. Wilda taught 4 years at Cozy Cottage school in Rural Dempster #5 and later taught 4 years in the Estelline School System. She was employed at the Estelline Bakery prior to working 28 years for the Estelline Post Office, retiring December 31, 1972. She helped Bob operate the Drive Inn restaurant until they sold it in July 1974. Robert died May 20, 1990.

From 1975 until March 2001 they spent their winters in Donna, Texas. While in Texas, Wilda served as Secretary-Treasurer of Shady Acres Mobile Home Park. Wilda was a member of the Mid Valley Book Review Club of the Rio Grande Valley. She served as Secretary of the Womens Group of the Donna First Presbyterian Church and she volunteered at the Donna School helping elementary students with English. She took painting and Spanish lessons during the time Bob was not able to get around due to declining health.

Wilda has been a member of the United Church of Christ in Estelline, SD since 1936. She was a Life Member of the PTA while the organization was active in the Estelline School System. She is a member of the Eastern Star (OES # 50) in Watertown, SD, formerly of Estelline, since Feb 8, 1944. She has been a member of the Plymouth Guild (the younger women of the church) from 1940, until it merged with the church Womens Fellowship around 1952. She taught Sunday school for about 15 years, and taught Bible School for at least 10 years. She served as Clerk of the Church Board for 4 years. She was a member of the Senior Citizens in Estelline, serving as President. She had been a member of the Study Club for more than 50 years.

Wilda enjoyed visiting shut-ins and sending cards and letters to people on their birthday or anniversary (she maintained 4 separate lists and recorded every mailing). Many cards were hand painted or decorated with wildlife feathers. She played Golf and would volunteer on Saturdays at the Estelline Nursing Home. She took every opportunity possible to promote the Estelline Community, the School and her Church.

Wilda fractured her pelvis in February 2003 and in July 2004 broke her hip. She entered the Dawson, MN Nursing Home August 15, 2004. In August 2007 after Everett and Avis moved to Omaha, NE Wilda relocated to the Nursing Home in Gretna, NE. She died there on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at the age of 95 years.

Wilda has one son, Everett E. Kelley (he said he was always mom's favorite) and wife (Avis) of Omaha, NE; three grandchildren: Brad Kelley of Castle Rock, CO, Cheris Krueger (David) of Dayton, OH and Dee Osher (Adam) of Omaha, NE; five great grandchildren: Erin Kelley (13), Natalie Krueger (13) and Daniel Krueger (13), Jacob Osher (6) and Sadie Osher (1). Wilda has one surviving brother, Thomas Bickel of San Clemente, CA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Wilda was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Myra Berg who died on July 17, 2009 and Francis as a young child; and one daughter in infancy in May of 1943.