Grace went to be with the Lord on September 20, 2018 in Severance, CO. She was born March 31, 1925 to James and Maud (Evans) Elgin in Adams County northeast of Byers, CO. She graduated from the Steamboat Springs High School in 1943.
Grace married Furness Crayton (Junior) Kelso, Jr. of Yampa, CO on April 6, 1946 before he went into the army. After he returned from the army, their son, Doug was born on July 19, 1949 in Steamboat Springs. They lived in Rock Springs, WY, Yuma, CO and Longmont, CO before they settled in the Denver area. Their daughter, Kay was born on April 19, 1952.
Grace enjoyed playing the piano and organ throughout her life. She was a homemaker while her kids were growing up, she taught piano lessons in her home, played the organ at her church and played the piano for the tap dancing classes after school through the Denver Public School system. In 1967-68 she attended Central Business College in Denver before going to work at Charm Cove Nursing Home in 1969. She was the medical records supervisor. She then began doing bookkeeping for the West Alameda Physical Therapy Clinic, part-time while still working at Charm Cove. In 1984, she retired from the nursing home; in addition to doing the billing and bookkeeping for Arlene Mowder, she also did some of the therapy. She helped her granddaughter, Shelley, by copying account files for clients applying for Social Security Disability and taking the files to Greeley, to the law office where Shelly worked. She retired at age 84.
Grace was very active in her church throughout her life. She was involved in vocal and instrumental groups as well as playing the piano and organ at a very early age. She was the treasurer for Grace Baptist Church for many years and served on many committees. She enjoyed her personal Bible study as well as participating in group Bible studies. She thrived on teaching ladies’ adult Sunday School classes.
She was a prolific writer, though she didn’t want anything to be published. She wrote her own life story as well as memories of family members that went before her. She wrote fun, situational poetry and documented the Kelso Family Reunions.
Over the years, she enjoyed camping, travelling and keeping in touch with lifelong friends and extended family. She was the leader and piano player of a dance combo at the Clement Center for Seniors every week beginning in 2001 for 17 years; as well as playing for sing-alongs and listening music.
Grace is survived by her son, Keith Douglas (Doug) Kelso of Lakewood; daughter, Kayalyn (Kay) White (Matthew) of Greeley, CO; eight grandchildren, Trevor Crayton Kelso (April) of Colorado Springs, Cara Lee (Carly) Kelso (Shewa) of Lakewood, CO, Shelley Anne Welch (Scott) of Greeley, CO, Kevin Douglas Kelso of Lakewood, CO, Sarah Bandy (Keith Kelso, d.) of Littleton, CO, Melissa Lynn Winter (Bowen) of Severance, CO, Matthew Odis White Jr. (Deanna Green) of Ft. Collins, CO, Tyler Crayton Kelso of Denver, CO, and Mary Lenore (Marylyn) Kelso (Sergio Gomez) of Denver, CO; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Furness Crayton Kelso, Jr. (known as Kelly or Junior); her parents; grandson, Keith Dustin Kelso; great-grandson, Douglas Crayton Kelso; sister, Myrtle Mae Thompson of Weld County, CO; brother, Henry Augustus Elgin of Delta, CO; and sister, Vellie Ann Elgin of Loveland, CO.
A funeral service for Grace will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121, followed by a committal service in the cemetery at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Grace's name to Red Rocks Fellowship, 11195 W Belleview Ave, Littleton, CO 80127, https://www.redrocksefc.org/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Kelso family.
