Michael Lee Kelaher

Sadly, Michael Lee Kelaher passed away on Sunday, March 30th, 2025, in his home with his family. A visitation for Mike will be held on Friday, April 4th, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with Mike’s funeral service starting at 2:00 p.m. located at Ankeny Funeral Home. Mike will be buried on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery.

Michael was born on June 6th, 1948, to James and Geraldine Kelaher in Des Moines, Iowa. Mike graduated North High School in 1965, and this is where he met his high school sweetheart, Carol Nygren. The couple were united in marriage on July 13th, 1967, in Des Moines, Iowa and from this union, they had two daughters, Monica and Shannon. After high school, he joined the Air Force in 1968 and was stationed in Duluth, MN and Sherman, TX before going to Korea during the Vietnam War. While stationed overseas, he proudly served as a jet engine mechanic. After 4 years serving our country, Mike attended Des Moines Area Community College where he received his associate’s degree in business. With his degree, he was an estimator for construction sites and helped build buildings all over the area. He loved to point out the building sites on car rides with his family.

Mike enjoyed golfing, watching the Packers (or any team beating the Cowboys), and fishing. He tried to make fishing trips to Minnesota in the summers as much as he could. But Mike’s favorite spot to fish was the pond he had in his backyard with his grandchildren. In the winters, he would blow snow over the pond to make an ice rink for his grandchildren (and wife) to skate on! Mike was a proud member of the 33rd Degree Mason, a Past Master of Acanthus Lodge, and a Shrine Clown.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, James Kelaher and Geraldine Kelaher (Jordan); his sister Barbara Murillo; and his brother Tim Kelaher.

Michael will be missed by his wife of 57 years, Carol Kelaher (Nygren) of Altoona, IA; his sister, Cheri Kay Kelaher of Waterloo, IA; his two daughters, Monica (Kenny) Gray of Des Moines, IA and Shannon (Jason) McWilliams of Ankeny, IA; his four grandchildren, Madison (Bryan) Elsberry of Boone, IA, Mackenzie (Derrick) Gray of Charlotte, NC, Jordan (Evan) McWilliams of Minneapolis, MN and James McWilliams of Iowa City, IA; and his two great grandchildren, Charlotte Elsberry of Boone, IA and Henry Elsberry of Boone, IA.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the family for a memorial bench in honor of Michael.