Jody B Kelly

Jody B. Kelly passed away on January 15, 2023, at Mary Greeley Memorial Hospital after a short bout with Leukemia. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on January 21, 2023 at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, followed by a graveside at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

She was born to Frank and Christina (Tene) Lechner on June 20, 1930, in Centerville, Iowa but as a young child, her family moved to Ames, Iowa. Jody graduated from Ames Senior High School, and after graduation, she attended Iowa State University. She married Tom Kelly in 1950 and were married for 18 years. They made their home in Ames, Iowa, where they had three children. Jody was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for many years.

Jody moved from Ames to O’Fallon, Illinois, and in her later years, to Marco Island, Florida, where she worked and lived until retirement. Her first retirement brought her back to Iowa, where she resided in Slater until her death.

During her retirement, Jody was employed by Dollar General in Huxley, and for many years, she held various jobs at Sam’s Club. She worked until she was 89 years young! She loved her job and her coworkers. Jody was a big animal lover and has most likely neutered every stray cat in Slater over the last 15 years!

Jody is survived by her children, Kathy and Steve Carter of Ames, Kim and Jesse Peters of Sebring, Florida, and DeDee and Gary Birdsall of Slater. Jody’s grandchildren include Matt and Andrea Carter of Des Moines, Iowa; Alex and Angela Carter of Des Moines, Iowa; Sarah and Aaron Shaffer of Des Moines; Tennille Tateo of Marco Island, Florida; Scott and Chris Mullett of Belleville, Illinois; Nikowah Okland of Huxley, Iowa, and Shawn and Paige Birdsall of Slater, Iowa. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Please visit www.stevensmemorialchapel.com for the Kelly family.