Nathell Kelsey

Obituary

Idaho State Journal, 06/12/04 MONTPELIER -

Nathell Cook Kunz Kelsey, 91, passed away Wednesday, June 10, 2004, at the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier, Idaho. She was born February 9, 1913, to Henry S. and Ann Lanora Smedley Cook in Dingle, Idaho. Her mother died during the flu epidemic of 1919, and Nathell lived with her grandparents, Franklin Eaton and Francis Mary Sparks Smedley.

She married Leo Robert Kunz in 1932, and the marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on Nov. 8, 1971. They had one daughter, Lola Lee (Robert) Williamson of Richland, Wash., a granddaughter, Shelly Ann (Marc) Fonnesbeck, and great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Tanner, Tate and Kailee Fonnesbeck of Rigby, Idaho, and a grandson, Steven Robert (Liz) Williamson and great-grandson, Steven Robert (Rob), of Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dean (Pearl) Cook and sister, Afton (Marvin) Hymas. Nathell married Ben Kelsey in 1975, and is survived by seven stepchildren, Larry (Ann) Kelsey of Paris, Idaho, Ross (Doralee) Caldwell of Ovid, Idaho, Rose Ann (Dale) Nealis of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Jim (Jean) Kelsey of Delta, Utah, Darwin (Eloise) Caldwell of Phoenix, Ariz., Robert (Nila) Kelsey of Paris, Idaho, Beth (Boyd) Swensen of Logan, Utah; 25 grandchildren; and 54 great-grandchildren. She served in several positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Primary teacher, Sunday school secretary and MIA secretary. She was an active member of the Mary Ann Burgoyne Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She also served several years as chairman of the American Cancer Drive. Nathell was known for her beautiful needlework, love of canning, helpfulness to neighbors and friends, patience, patriotism and a kind heart. Nathell will be missed but never forgotten.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 15 at 11 a.m., in the Montpelier Stake Center. Friends may call Monday evening, June 14 from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Relief Society Room in the Stake Center, and again on Tuesday morning from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Montpelier Cemetery, with services under the direction of Matthews Mortuary of Montpelier.