IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Leona V.
Kelley
April 10, 1932 – April 4, 2012
Obituary
Leona Kelley, 79, was welcomed to the Lord's home, the kingdom of heaven, April 4, 2012, at Devonshire Acres in Sterling. During her final days, she was surrounded by family, friends, and her husband, Miller Kelley, whom she deeply adored. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, April 9, with Vigil Service and Rosary to follow at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Iliff, with the Rev. Robert L. Wedow officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery
Leona was born April 10, 1932, on a homestead in Torrington, Wyo., to Walter Sperry and Veronica Toohey Sperry. Her family then moved to Fort Collins, where they settled and remained.
Leona attended elementary school at St. Joseph's and attended high school at Fort Collins High. While at Fort Collins High, she met the love of her life, Miller Kelley, who was attending A & M College all the way from Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, Leona attended the St. Joseph School of Nursing where she obtained her nursing degree and became a registered nurse.
Leona and Miller were wed in Denver, on Jan. 16, 1956. To this union six children were born: John, Susan, Daniel, Thomas, Margaret and Carol. After living several years in the Greeley and Fort Collins area, the family made their way to Sterling. They have called the town home for more than 45 years.
While raising her family in Sterling, Leona worked as a registered nurse at the Logan County Hospital for 15 years. She also went on to work an additional 10 years at Devonshire Acres. Leona was a strong and devoted nurse who allowed her compassion to lead her, both at work and at home. With her graceful spirit she was able to balance her nursing career while continuing to raise her family.
When Leona retired from her nursing career, she spent several years volunteering at the Country Store located within Devonshire Acres. She found great joy in helping others and continued to give throughout her entire life.
She was a passionate quilter, making more than 15 hand-stitched works of art for her family. Many of her masterpieces were displayed at the library and even won awards at the Logan County Fair. The magnificence she could create with a needle and thread was a true reflection of her internal beauty.
Leona enjoyed many other hobbies throughout her life. She and her beloved husband, Miller, were active members of the square dance club, Circle 8, and together they enjoyed many years of fun and enjoyment while square dancing. Leona was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Church Circle, and the Colorado Nurses Association.
Leona was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who enjoyed her weekly game of bridge with her dearest of friends. She spent several afternoons tutoring her grandchildren, getting lost in books, and being a woman that her family and community could easily admire.
Surviving Leona is her husband, Miller of Sterling; sons, Daniel and Thomas Kelley, both of Sterling; daughters, Susan Nein and husband Randy of Gilbert, Ariz., Maggie Ulibarri of Aztec, N.M., and Carol Jasaitis and husband Andy of Olympia, Wash. She is also survived by her brother, Walter Sperry and wife Selma of Corpus Christi, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
Leona was a proud grandma and blessed with 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Nicole Wahl, husband Chris, children Kaiden, Kenzie and Cammie of Loveland; Samantha Kelley of Denver; Alexis Kelley of Loveland; Sarah Kuraja, husband Matthew, sons Christopher and Evan of Peoria, Ariz.; Cassidy and Kelley Nein of Albuquerque, N.M.; Andrea Nein of Gilbert, Ariz.; Michelle and Bill Kelley of Sterling; Amanda Long, husband Richard, daughter Taylor of Maitland, Mo.; Leta Kelley of Maryville, Mo.; Leanne and Megan Ulibarri of Aztec; Victoria Kent of Madison, Wis.; and Josh Kent of Rochester, Minn.
She was preceded in death by parents, Walter and Veronica Sperry; son, John Kelley; and granddaughter, Kristen Kelley.
Memorials may be made in honor of Leona Kelley to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Leona was born April 10, 1932, on a homestead in Torrington, Wyo., to Walter Sperry and Veronica Toohey Sperry. Her family then moved to Fort Collins, where they settled and remained.
Leona attended elementary school at St. Joseph's and attended high school at Fort Collins High. While at Fort Collins High, she met the love of her life, Miller Kelley, who was attending A & M College all the way from Pennsylvania. After graduating high school, Leona attended the St. Joseph School of Nursing where she obtained her nursing degree and became a registered nurse.
Leona and Miller were wed in Denver, on Jan. 16, 1956. To this union six children were born: John, Susan, Daniel, Thomas, Margaret and Carol. After living several years in the Greeley and Fort Collins area, the family made their way to Sterling. They have called the town home for more than 45 years.
While raising her family in Sterling, Leona worked as a registered nurse at the Logan County Hospital for 15 years. She also went on to work an additional 10 years at Devonshire Acres. Leona was a strong and devoted nurse who allowed her compassion to lead her, both at work and at home. With her graceful spirit she was able to balance her nursing career while continuing to raise her family.
When Leona retired from her nursing career, she spent several years volunteering at the Country Store located within Devonshire Acres. She found great joy in helping others and continued to give throughout her entire life.
She was a passionate quilter, making more than 15 hand-stitched works of art for her family. Many of her masterpieces were displayed at the library and even won awards at the Logan County Fair. The magnificence she could create with a needle and thread was a true reflection of her internal beauty.
Leona enjoyed many other hobbies throughout her life. She and her beloved husband, Miller, were active members of the square dance club, Circle 8, and together they enjoyed many years of fun and enjoyment while square dancing. Leona was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Patrick's Church Circle, and the Colorado Nurses Association.
Leona was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who enjoyed her weekly game of bridge with her dearest of friends. She spent several afternoons tutoring her grandchildren, getting lost in books, and being a woman that her family and community could easily admire.
Surviving Leona is her husband, Miller of Sterling; sons, Daniel and Thomas Kelley, both of Sterling; daughters, Susan Nein and husband Randy of Gilbert, Ariz., Maggie Ulibarri of Aztec, N.M., and Carol Jasaitis and husband Andy of Olympia, Wash. She is also survived by her brother, Walter Sperry and wife Selma of Corpus Christi, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
Leona was a proud grandma and blessed with 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Nicole Wahl, husband Chris, children Kaiden, Kenzie and Cammie of Loveland; Samantha Kelley of Denver; Alexis Kelley of Loveland; Sarah Kuraja, husband Matthew, sons Christopher and Evan of Peoria, Ariz.; Cassidy and Kelley Nein of Albuquerque, N.M.; Andrea Nein of Gilbert, Ariz.; Michelle and Bill Kelley of Sterling; Amanda Long, husband Richard, daughter Taylor of Maitland, Mo.; Leta Kelley of Maryville, Mo.; Leanne and Megan Ulibarri of Aztec; Victoria Kent of Madison, Wis.; and Josh Kent of Rochester, Minn.
She was preceded in death by parents, Walter and Veronica Sperry; son, John Kelley; and granddaughter, Kristen Kelley.
Memorials may be made in honor of Leona Kelley to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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