A Mass of Christian Burial for 61-year old Kelly Kelso will be held Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:00 at St Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD, with Father Ed Witt, SJ, officiating.
Burial follows at 11:30 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Kently Kelly Kelso was born July 2, 1962, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, March 4, 2024.
Kelly was born in Rapid City, but grew up in Southern California with the exception of his sophomore year of high school, when he chose to live with his Grandma Isabelle Pourier on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and embraced his Lakota Culture, the connectivity of his huge family, and the simplicity of the country lifestyle.
Kelly had a love for all of nature’s blessings, especially the Black Hills and the Pacific Ocean. As a young man, he enjoyed riding horses, rodeo, and playing guitar.
At the age of 19, Kelly joined the United States Navy and served 4 years, visiting many countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Following his military service, Kelly worked for the U-S Postal Service for 26 years, the majority as Postmaster in Oglala, SD.
Kelly retired from the postal service in 2014, then worked part-time as a maintenance man for St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chadron, NE. In 2019, he relocated to Atlanta, GA. with his wife to help with the care of his young grandchild.
Kelly was a loyal, loving, and dependable son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. He possessed an emotional sensitivity that was heartwarming. Later in life, Kelly enjoyed spending time with his family and the many friends he made in Atlanta.
He was selfless and found great joy in being of service to those in need, transporting older friends to doctors appointments or the grocery store, and doing for others what they could no longer do for themselves – and did so regardless of any physical or financial costs to himself.
Kelly also enjoyed spending time with and walking his miniature poodle, Knight.
He was deeply spiritual, loved Jesus, and loved people – all of whom he considered his brothers and sisters as children of God. He also loved the Black Hills and constantly spoke of his wish to one day return to them.
Kelly is survived by his loving wife Deniese Kelso; his daughter Tara Rose Kelso; his son Kent Kelso; his granddaughter Margo Kelso; his father Jesse (Irma) Kelso; his mother Patricia Rose Kelso; his brother Kevin Kelso; his sister Kimberly Kelso; his maternal uncles Bat (Patty) Pourier and Bim Pourier; his maternal aunts Peggy Pourier, Karla (Rod) Longwell, and Shelly Pourier; his paternal uncles Jerry (Mary Beth), Jimmy (Joyce), and Jody Kelso (Julia); his nephews Kirk Trujillo, Dakota Kelso, and Dustin Kelso; and his nieces Dallas, Demiel, Demaris, Desiree, and Dylan Kelso; as well as countless cousins and friends.
Kelly was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Edison Lee and Vera Kelso; his maternal grandparents Loren and Isabelle Pouirer; and his beloved aunt Laurette Pouirer.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD