Askov American., 1938-12-15
Last Rites Held
For Loved Lady
Mrs. Byron ]. Kelsey is
Called Home From Full
and Useful Life.

the news of Mrs. Byron J. Kelsey's
death which occurred at the home
of her son, Cecil, Friday, December
9, in Brook Park, after months i'll
ness.
This lovable woman will be greatly
missed in her community for her
kindly interest and word of cheer.
Her life exemplified the art of SIM
Pile faith and Christian living. The
following poem was given Mrs. Kelsey
on her 10th birthday, written by one
of her high school granddaughter as
an affectionate tribute to Grandma:
There's thing that's very precious,
People even forget to sigh
When they see the jolly sparkle
In my Grandma Kelsey's eyes.
When you're feeling blue and
lonely,
Make your lowly spirits rise,
Let your own soul match the
bravery
In my Grandma's twinkly eyes.
When they say the worlds gone
wicked,
All good things aren't going to die,
Cause there's still a matchleSS
twinkle
In my Grandma Kelsey's eyes.
Mary D. Toft was born in Hesper,
Iowa, April 2, 1860, to Alongo w. and
Adoh D. loft. When a child her
father served throughout the Civil
war as regimental blacksmith, short
ly after which the family moved to
Cresco, Iowa, and later to Cherry
Grove, Mimi.
Married in 1878.
In 1878 she was married to Byron
J. Kelsey at Red Wing. The early
years of their welded life were spent
in South Dakota where Mr.. Kelsey
was one of the successful business
pioneers of that state. They were
also residents of Minneapolis and
Kenyon.
The family moved to Brook Park
in 1899. She resided there with the
exception of few years in Virginia,
until her death.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey celebrated
the beautiful occasion of their golden
wedding March 20, 1923 with 300
relatives and friends, all the living
children and grandchildren being
present. Rev. Boyle of Mora, offici-
ated at the bridal ceremony.
In 1916 a daughter, Grace Adoh,
preceded Mrs. Kelsey in death. Her
husband passed away two years ago
and last January she suffered the
loss of her son, Harold Charles.
Mrs. Kelsey is survived by daugh-
ter, Reita Mae, Mrs Edward Shaske,
of Brook Park, and two sons, Cecil
Byron of Brook Park, and Paul loft
of Billings, Mont. Ten grandchildren
Mrs. Kenneth Gyse, Mrs. Jack Ridell,
Virginia; Helen, Paulina and Warren
Kelsey of Billings, Mont; Howard
Kelsey, Great Falls, Mont; Mrs. Einar
Davis, Duluth; Elaine Shaske and
Eunice Kelsey of Brook Park Also
five great-grandchildre Marcia,
Bonnie, Jack, Markus and Edward.
Funeral services were held at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Edward
Shaske, Sunday afternoon, December
IL, with Rev. Boyle of Mora, officiat-
ing, using as his text l Cor. 1913.
The musical numbers were favorites
of Mrs. Kelsey, who was a lover Of
music and for many years a contralto
SoloiSt.
NJ D. Folsom of Hinckley, played
two piano numbers, Brahms Lula
by" and "My Heart at Thy Sweet
Voice." Campbell Christianson Of
Hinckley, sang "Jesus Savior Pilot
Me-" and ''My Task" accompanied by
Mr. Folsom.
Pallbearers were Asa Woodbeck,
Fred Murphy, George Fohrman, STAN
ley Peterson, John Clark and Stanley
Peterson.
Out of town relatives and friends
present were Paul Kelsey of Billings,
Mont, who was with his mother one
week preceding her death; Howard
Kelsey, Great Falls, Mont; MIR. and
Mrs. Einar Davis, Duluth; Elaine
Shaske, Superior, Wis; Arnold Davis,
Duluth; Mrs. VIM. Ziegler, Mr.. and
Mrs. Allen Kelsey and Mr.. and Mrs
Chas. Cough of Minneapolis; and Mrs.