ELLINWOOD — Kay Kelly of Ellinwood passed away March 27th in Ellinwood District Hospital. Kay was diagnosed with lung cancer 6 1/2 years ago in Sept. 2018, fought and survived, deemed clear with no signs of return. In Feb. 2025 while at an unrelated follow up appointment, the devastating news of a mass found in her pancreas was shocking. Three days in acute care the news of it being untreatable was difficult to relay to Kay. This form of cancer showed no mercy sickness and extreme pain Kay was so undeserving of took her life in 5 1/2 weeks’ time.
Over the years to current Kay has been involved in community in some way including, member of St. Joseph church and Altar Society, Barton Cougars Club, Barton County Historical Society, volunteer delivery for Meals on Wheels, member of the bridge club within the Senior Center. Member of Smoky Hills PBS.
Working close to home included Rockys IGA, Secretary at Knop Butane, John Henrys, Regis Inventory auditing, Annie Maes. Most significantly, Kay was a caring wife, loving mother and fun grandmother. Kay loved life, the outdoors, birdwatching, star gazing, camping, fishing in the Rocky Mountains, having company, reading, learning new things, traveling, playing board games and cards. She lived a simple life being and incredible strong, determined women taking care of her health and didn’t need stuff, nor cared about status. She was authentically herself always. Proud of her family
Kay always thought about others and gave of herself without expecting a return. Such an inspiration to those around her. If things got tough, she was the example of how to handle life’s diversities. Work around it and move on. When Kay fell ill and began to show signs of fatigue and not feeling well, she always made the effort to make an appearance, be it birthdays or holidays or a grandchild school concert, if even for awhile. Even thru the pain, confusion, and suffering, was so smart and beautiful inside and out. Fought to the end out for love of life and family.
Kay Elizabeth Gardner was the first born to Gladys (Baldwin) and Howard (Bill) Estel Gardner in Duncan, Okla. 1945. She met and married her one true love, Canadian, Ronald Kelly of Canoga Park, Calif. April 24 1961. The newlyweds led a life in the Airforce military while moving from base to base started a family. First born son John Howard, first born daughter Tracey Kay, second born daughter Lori Lynn. At this the family had moved to Kansas where they settled to raise their family. The couple was married 62 years. Kay said how she missed Ron, “He was my everything.”
Kay was preceded in death husband Ron; only sibling Ann T. Brown; and parents Gladys and Bill Gardner. Survivors include son John (Marion) Kelly of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; daughters Tracy K. Williams and Lori Kelly both of Ellinwood. Grandchildren include Nicole (Kelly) Justin Jenkins (three children) of Kansas City, Forrest (daughter), Quincy and KellyAnn Williams of Ellinwood; and four great grandchildren; brother-in-law Terry Brown of Gunnison, Colo.; long time friend of the family Bill Willliams.
Celebration of Life Service will take place Friday April 4th 4 p.m. with Father Terry Klien, followed by inurnment at Lakin-Commanche Cemetery in Ellinwood. Visitation will take place Thursday, April 3rd 4 - 7 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Membership Coordinator, Smoky Hills Public TV PO Box 9, Bunker Hill Ks. 67626-0009, or any help with final expenses family would humbly accept with much gratitude as the family room where Kays daughters stayed within the Hospice care unit was $200 a night out of pocket. Thank you for either choice. Send final expense gifts to Kay Kelly c/o Tracy K. Williams, 112 West 2nd Street, Ellinwood, Kansas 67526. Your consideration is much appreciated. God Bless.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel 113 N. Main
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 3, 2025
