Claude Kelsey

CLAUDE D. KELSEY

Palo

Claude D. Kelsey, 88, of Palo, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, at The Woodlands in

The Meth-Wick Community following a long battle with dementia and cancer. Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Teahen Funeral Home by Chaplain Christine Wagner-Hecht. Burial at Spring Grove Cemetery at a later date. Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and after 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Claude is survived by four daughters, Belinda (Billy) Yuska of Covington, Bonnie (Rodney) Jones of Cedar Rapids, Barb (Dan) Teed of Robins and Becky (Mark) Kelsey-Chamberlain of Palo; three grandchildren, Danielle (Russ) O'Rourke of Colo, Brandon (Jodie) Yuska of Cedar Rapids and Kelsey (Michael) Rumery of Palo; and four great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Hayden and Nolan Yuska and Lincoln Rumery.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joann; parents; brother, James Kelsey; and sister, Evelyn Snethen.

Claude was born Aug. 9, 1930, in Linn County, to Harold and Rosella Mittan Kelsey. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1954. Claude married Joann Margaret Coyle, the love of his life, on July 6, 1956, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Joann died in 2014. He worked at Swiss Valley Farms for 42 years.

Claude enjoyed spending time with his family, bowling and camping. He loved his family and making his grandchildren smile. After finishing a days work at the dairy, he always found time for his family and helping others. He was a hard worker and a skilled woodworker. He took great pride in the fact that, with the help of his whole family, they built their house from scratch.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Meth-Wick Community for the outstanding care and compassion shown toward Claude.

Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.