Eleanor Marguerite Kelley
April 2, 1927 — September 26, 2024
Eleanor Marguerite Kelley, 97, of Springville, Iowa, passed away on September 26, 2024, at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Springville Presbyterian Church, located at 165 Broadway Street, in Springville. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the church, with Reverend David Snyder officiating. Inurnment will follow at Springville Cemetery. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.
Eleanor was born on April 2, 1927, on the family farm in Rural Linn County, Iowa. She was the youngest of six children born to William “Merle” and Mary “Edna” (Martin) Stewart. Eleanor grew up attending Sunday School at Linn Grove Presbyterian Church in rural Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She was a 1944 graduate of Viola High School and Eleanor went on to earn her Teacher’s Certificate from the former Iowa State Normal School, now known as University of Northern Iowa. She taught school for a year in a one-room country school before it closed. On October 24, 1948, Eleanor was united in marriage to David “Dave” Arthur Kelley at Springville Presbyterian Church in Springville. To this union, three children were born. Later, Eleanor was employed as a Bank Teller with Exchange State Bank in Springville for nearly 30 years, until her retirement. She was a member of Springville Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. Eleanor was also a member of the Presbyterian Women, of which she served as President and earned the ‘Presbyterian Women Service Award’. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the Red Hat Society. While her children were young, Eleanor was a devoted Cub Scout Den Leader and a Campfire Girl’s Leader.
Eleanor loved her flower gardens, camping, being outdoors, horses and ponies. She would often go square dancing with her husband, David. Eleanor was known by many for her fabulous potato salad. She really enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair. Most of all, she loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandbabies. Eleanor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Eleanor is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jean (Jim) Deeds of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Jody Kelley of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, James “J.R.” (Cristina) Deeds of West Des Moines, Julie (James) Eliason of West Des Moines, Allyson Kendrick of Waukee, Iowa, and Meghan (Tom) Wright of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and eight great-grandchildren, Abby and Jamie Deeds, Cal and Joey Eliason, Sam and Ben Kendrick, and Matthew and Jack Wright.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Edna Stewart; beloved husband of 70 years, Dave Kelley; two sons, Jerry Dave Kelley and just this month, Randy Stewart Kelley on September 1, 2024; and five siblings, Loren Stewart, Vera Touro, Leonard Stewart, Frances French and Galen Stewart.
Memorials in Eleanor’s memory may be directed to Linn Grove Presbyterian Church, 2000 Linn Grove Road, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314, or Springville Presbyterian Church,165 Broadway Street, P.O. Box 18; Springville, Iowa 52336.
Eleanor was born on April 2, 1927, on the family farm in Rural Linn County, Iowa. She was the youngest of six children born to William “Merle” and Mary “Edna” (Martin) Stewart. Eleanor grew up attending Sunday School at Linn Grove Presbyterian Church in rural Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She was a 1944 graduate of Viola High School and Eleanor went on to earn her Teacher’s Certificate from the former Iowa State Normal School, now known as University of Northern Iowa. She taught school for a year in a one-room country school before it closed. On October 24, 1948, Eleanor was united in marriage to David “Dave” Arthur Kelley at Springville Presbyterian Church in Springville. To this union, three children were born. Later, Eleanor was employed as a Bank Teller with Exchange State Bank in Springville for nearly 30 years, until her retirement. She was a member of Springville Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir. Eleanor was also a member of the Presbyterian Women, of which she served as President and earned the ‘Presbyterian Women Service Award’. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the Red Hat Society. While her children were young, Eleanor was a devoted Cub Scout Den Leader and a Campfire Girl’s Leader.
Eleanor loved her flower gardens, camping, being outdoors, horses and ponies. She would often go square dancing with her husband, David. Eleanor was known by many for her fabulous potato salad. She really enjoyed attending the Iowa State Fair. Most of all, she loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandbabies. Eleanor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Eleanor is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jean (Jim) Deeds of West Des Moines, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Jody Kelley of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, James “J.R.” (Cristina) Deeds of West Des Moines, Julie (James) Eliason of West Des Moines, Allyson Kendrick of Waukee, Iowa, and Meghan (Tom) Wright of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and eight great-grandchildren, Abby and Jamie Deeds, Cal and Joey Eliason, Sam and Ben Kendrick, and Matthew and Jack Wright.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Merle and Edna Stewart; beloved husband of 70 years, Dave Kelley; two sons, Jerry Dave Kelley and just this month, Randy Stewart Kelley on September 1, 2024; and five siblings, Loren Stewart, Vera Touro, Leonard Stewart, Frances French and Galen Stewart.
Memorials in Eleanor’s memory may be directed to Linn Grove Presbyterian Church, 2000 Linn Grove Road, Mount Vernon, Iowa 52314, or Springville Presbyterian Church,165 Broadway Street, P.O. Box 18; Springville, Iowa 52336.
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