Luella Mae Kelsey, daughter of Bert and Lillian Grapp Fisher, was born July 1, 1911, near Plainfield in rural Bremer County, Iowa. She graduated from Nashua High School.

            Luella married Harry Cory who preceded her in death. She was then united in marriage with Leslie Kelsey in 1953. Les preceded her in death in 1963. She then married Leslie’s brother, Victor Kelsey in 1971. His death occurred in 1995.

            Luella worked at the Tripoli High School and Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli. In her early years, she cleaned homes for people in Waverly.

            A resident of the Tripoli Nursing Home for the past three years, Luella’s death occurred there on Tuesday morning, October 4, 2011. She was 100 years old and had been a longtime member of Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli.

            She is survived by three step daughters, Geri Salisbury of Sumner, Marlys (Jay) Patterson of Denver, and Tam (Floyd) Miller of Dumont; two step sons, Veryl Kelsey of Big Bear Lake, California and Ron (Teresa) Kelsey of New Carlisle, Ohio; eleven grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; three sisters, Elaine Walters of Janesville, Charlotte Reasoner of Raymond, and Beulah (Howard) Rutledge of Britt; and several nieces and nephews.

            In addition to her husbands and parents, Luella was preceded in death by her brothers and sister-in-law, Wilber and Marian Fisher and Merland Fisher; her sisters and brother-in-law, Ruby and Claude Carpenter, Myrtle Kelsey, Mabel Rottink, and a sister, Dorothy, who died in infancy.

            Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2011, at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli, with Rev. Marilyn Sargent officiating. Interment will be at Fremont Cemetery of rural Tripoli. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m.until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour before services at the church on Friday.