She died at St. Vincent Hospital with family at her side.
Adeline was born to Christ and Josephine (Drege) Nelson. Her parents were of Norwegian descent and farmed near Makoti. Adeline held fond memories of growing up on a farm in the days before electricity and indoor plumbing became available.
After attending school in Makoti, Adeline graduated valedictorian in June 1929 and received scholarships to three colleges. Due to the impact of the Great Depression that same year, she chose to attend Business College in Fargo, N.D., instead of pursuing a teaching career so she could start working quickly. During the Depression, Adeline managed to hold a job most of the time, including working at an insurance company and the Indian Service, a department within the federal government, all in Fargo. In 1934, she transferred to Billings with the Indian Construction Office, which covered 16 states. She was also employed by the Government Corps of Engineers in Omaha and Chicago.
After moving to Billings, Adeline met Thomas Donovan Kelly, and they married in Billings on April 17, 1937. They have one son, Donovan George Kelly. Together, Tom and Adeline founded and were partners in Kelly & Kelly Accountants for about 30 years in Billings. The business they established is now owned and operated by their son. In 1956, Adeline and Tom bought and remodeled six cabins in Cooke City, which they ran as a motel called Kelly's Cabins during the summer months until 1976.
Adeline served as the first secretary for the Pink Ladies at Saint Vincent Hospital and was instrumental in shaping the organization. She completed over 5,000 hours of volunteer service with the Pink Ladies and, in 1982, was honored for her contributions. She also helped set up the hospital's snack bar and established the photography department which photographs newborn babies.
Adeline and Tom traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., and also enjoyed tours to Mexico and Hong Kong. Their favorite trip was a visit to the Holy Land in 1963.
The couple retired to Arizona in 1977, which they dearly loved, and in 1988, they returned to Billings to be near their family. They have lived at Westpark Retirement Village ever since. Adeline has been active in Westpark Residents Council, the monthly newspaper, many committees, and was always starting new Bridge groups. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church of Billings and St. Rose of Lima Circle.
Adeline was an inspiration to all who knew her. Always prone to fits of giggles, she will be remembered for her cheerful outlook on life, her steadfast persistence when facing difficulties and her ability to make a friend wherever she was.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clifford Nelson; and her sister, Lucille Moses. She was survived by her husband, Thomas D. Kelly; her son, Donovan George Kelly and his wife Patricia; five grandchildren and their spouses, Shannon and Ed Savage,, Erin and Bruce Glennie, Donovan T. and Tricia Kelly, Carmal and Jeff Chrisman, Courtney and Mike Tuszynski; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Adeline was born to Christ and Josephine (Drege) Nelson. Her parents were of Norwegian descent and farmed near Makoti. Adeline held fond memories of growing up on a farm in the days before electricity and indoor plumbing became available.
After attending school in Makoti, Adeline graduated valedictorian in June 1929 and received scholarships to three colleges. Due to the impact of the Great Depression that same year, she chose to attend Business College in Fargo, N.D., instead of pursuing a teaching career so she could start working quickly. During the Depression, Adeline managed to hold a job most of the time, including working at an insurance company and the Indian Service, a department within the federal government, all in Fargo. In 1934, she transferred to Billings with the Indian Construction Office, which covered 16 states. She was also employed by the Government Corps of Engineers in Omaha and Chicago.
After moving to Billings, Adeline met Thomas Donovan Kelly, and they married in Billings on April 17, 1937. They have one son, Donovan George Kelly. Together, Tom and Adeline founded and were partners in Kelly & Kelly Accountants for about 30 years in Billings. The business they established is now owned and operated by their son. In 1956, Adeline and Tom bought and remodeled six cabins in Cooke City, which they ran as a motel called Kelly's Cabins during the summer months until 1976.
Adeline served as the first secretary for the Pink Ladies at Saint Vincent Hospital and was instrumental in shaping the organization. She completed over 5,000 hours of volunteer service with the Pink Ladies and, in 1982, was honored for her contributions. She also helped set up the hospital's snack bar and established the photography department which photographs newborn babies.
Adeline and Tom traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., and also enjoyed tours to Mexico and Hong Kong. Their favorite trip was a visit to the Holy Land in 1963.
The couple retired to Arizona in 1977, which they dearly loved, and in 1988, they returned to Billings to be near their family. They have lived at Westpark Retirement Village ever since. Adeline has been active in Westpark Residents Council, the monthly newspaper, many committees, and was always starting new Bridge groups. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church of Billings and St. Rose of Lima Circle.
Adeline was an inspiration to all who knew her. Always prone to fits of giggles, she will be remembered for her cheerful outlook on life, her steadfast persistence when facing difficulties and her ability to make a friend wherever she was.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clifford Nelson; and her sister, Lucille Moses. She was survived by her husband, Thomas D. Kelly; her son, Donovan George Kelly and his wife Patricia; five grandchildren and their spouses, Shannon and Ed Savage,, Erin and Bruce Glennie, Donovan T. and Tricia Kelly, Carmal and Jeff Chrisman, Courtney and Mike Tuszynski; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She died at St. Vincent Hospital with family at her side.
Adeline was born to Christ and Josephine (Drege) Nelson. Her parents were of Norwegian descent and farmed near Makoti. Adeline held fond memories of growing up on a farm in the days before electricity and indoor plumbing became available.
After attending school in Makoti, Adeline graduated valedictorian in June 1929 and received scholarships to three colleges. Due to the impact of the Great Depression that same year, she chose to attend Business College in Fargo, N.D., instead of pursuing a teaching career so she could start working quickly. During the Depression, Adeline managed to hold a job most of the time, including working at an insurance company and the Indian Service, a department within the federal government, all in Fargo. In 1934, she transferred to Billings with the Indian Construction Office, which covered 16 states. She was also employed by the Government Corps of Engineers in Omaha and Chicago.
After moving to Billings, Adeline met Thomas Donovan Kelly, and they married in Billings on April 17, 1937. They have one son, Donovan George Kelly. Together, Tom and Adeline founded and were partners in Kelly & Kelly Accountants for about 30 years in Billings. The business they established is now owned and operated by their son. In 1956, Adeline and Tom bought and remodeled six cabins in Cooke City, which they ran as a motel called Kelly's Cabins during the summer months until 1976.
Adeline served as the first secretary for the Pink Ladies at Saint Vincent Hospital and was instrumental in shaping the organization. She completed over 5,000 hours of volunteer service with the Pink Ladies and, in 1982, was honored for her contributions. She also helped set up the hospital's snack bar and established the photography department which photographs newborn babies.
Adeline and Tom traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., and also enjoyed tours to Mexico and Hong Kong. Their favorite trip was a visit to the Holy Land in 1963.
The couple retired to Arizona in 1977, which they dearly loved, and in 1988, they returned to Billings to be near their family. They have lived at Westpark Retirement Village ever since. Adeline has been active in Westpark Residents Council, the monthly newspaper, many committees, and was always starting new Bridge groups. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church of Billings and St. Rose of Lima Circle.
Adeline was an inspiration to all who knew her. Always prone to fits of giggles, she will be remembered for her cheerful outlook on life, her steadfast persistence when facing difficulties and her ability to make a friend wherever she was.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clifford Nelson; and her sister, Lucille Moses. She was survived by her husband, Thomas D. Kelly; her son, Donovan George Kelly and his wife Patricia; five grandchildren and their spouses, Shannon and Ed Savage,, Erin and Bruce Glennie, Donovan T. and Tricia Kelly, Carmal and Jeff Chrisman, Courtney and Mike Tuszynski; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Adeline was born to Christ and Josephine (Drege) Nelson. Her parents were of Norwegian descent and farmed near Makoti. Adeline held fond memories of growing up on a farm in the days before electricity and indoor plumbing became available.
After attending school in Makoti, Adeline graduated valedictorian in June 1929 and received scholarships to three colleges. Due to the impact of the Great Depression that same year, she chose to attend Business College in Fargo, N.D., instead of pursuing a teaching career so she could start working quickly. During the Depression, Adeline managed to hold a job most of the time, including working at an insurance company and the Indian Service, a department within the federal government, all in Fargo. In 1934, she transferred to Billings with the Indian Construction Office, which covered 16 states. She was also employed by the Government Corps of Engineers in Omaha and Chicago.
After moving to Billings, Adeline met Thomas Donovan Kelly, and they married in Billings on April 17, 1937. They have one son, Donovan George Kelly. Together, Tom and Adeline founded and were partners in Kelly & Kelly Accountants for about 30 years in Billings. The business they established is now owned and operated by their son. In 1956, Adeline and Tom bought and remodeled six cabins in Cooke City, which they ran as a motel called Kelly's Cabins during the summer months until 1976.
Adeline served as the first secretary for the Pink Ladies at Saint Vincent Hospital and was instrumental in shaping the organization. She completed over 5,000 hours of volunteer service with the Pink Ladies and, in 1982, was honored for her contributions. She also helped set up the hospital's snack bar and established the photography department which photographs newborn babies.
Adeline and Tom traveled extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., and also enjoyed tours to Mexico and Hong Kong. Their favorite trip was a visit to the Holy Land in 1963.
The couple retired to Arizona in 1977, which they dearly loved, and in 1988, they returned to Billings to be near their family. They have lived at Westpark Retirement Village ever since. Adeline has been active in Westpark Residents Council, the monthly newspaper, many committees, and was always starting new Bridge groups. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church of Billings and St. Rose of Lima Circle.
Adeline was an inspiration to all who knew her. Always prone to fits of giggles, she will be remembered for her cheerful outlook on life, her steadfast persistence when facing difficulties and her ability to make a friend wherever she was.
Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clifford Nelson; and her sister, Lucille Moses. She was survived by her husband, Thomas D. Kelly; her son, Donovan George Kelly and his wife Patricia; five grandchildren and their spouses, Shannon and Ed Savage,, Erin and Bruce Glennie, Donovan T. and Tricia Kelly, Carmal and Jeff Chrisman, Courtney and Mike Tuszynski; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Gravesite Details
Memorial Only (per PJ Smith)
Family Members
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