On the afternoon of October 13, 2021, Heidi passed away peacefully in her sleep at home. Heidi was 76 years old.
She was born in East Germany on May 21, 1945. She was the second of seven children of Charlotte Brieger and Alfred Lux.
Heidi spent her first fourteen years in Germany with her mother, father and siblings. After World War II, they lost their homes and often had to move. It wasn't until April 1957 that the whole family moved through Ellis Island before settling in Elgin, Illinois, where much of the extended family still resides today. Heidi would spend her early years at Elgin helping her siblings, attending school, and working. It was on a beautiful spring day that she remembers going with her father to Jim Kelly Ford in Dundee, Illinois, to buy a vehicle that her life would change forever. That day she met the love of her life. James "Jim" Dean Kelly would be the most incredible man to ever walk in his life. Together, they welcomed three beautiful girls. The girls have fond memories of everything their parents did for them that will last a lifetime.
Sadly, in June 1988, Heidi would lose the love of her life to cancer and keep their relationship and memories so close to her heart until her very last moments. Heidi never let her memories fade. Our family will honor them both and continue to remember them. Heidi's family have found solace in knowing that they are together again.
During her career most would say Heidi was an entrepreneur, she helped her husband run several car dealerships, a car wash, and a leasing and rental company, but by far one of her efforts the most expensive would be to found and operate the Heidi dollhouse in Long Grove, IL as a certified "Doll Doctor". One of her favorite activities, besides her family, was giving dolls new life. Anyone who knew Heidi could almost guarantee that if you took a trip to visit her, you would be greeted by at least a few dolls dressed as new and ready for the next vacation ahead.
Besides being a loving wife, mother and friend, Heidi was a grandmother like no other. She was so proud of her twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Whenever she got the chance, she would congratulate them and constantly tell her friends and family how proud she was of each of her children.
Heidi was predeceased by her loving husband James "Jim" Dean Kelly, her father Alfred Lux, her mother Charlotte Lux, her brother Edmond Lux, her brother-in-law Trevor Bauman, her brother-in-law Michael Silbert and her nephew Michael Torok.
Heidi is survived by her 3 daughters, 5 siblings, 12 grandchildren,4 great-grandchildren and several beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Published in by Helena Independent Record on October 17, 2021.