Stephen H. Kelsey

Stephen H. Kelsey

Dec. 2, 1920 - Feb. 4, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Stephen H. Kelsey, age 92, of McCook, died at the Community Hospital on Feb.4, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on Dec. 2, 1920, in Norwood, Massachusetts, to George and Vivian (McGregor) Cleaves. His father passed away when Stephen was very young. Unable to care for three children, along with a brother and sister, they were put up for adoption. At age seven, he and his brother, Phillip, were adopted by Helen Kelsey. Stephen and Phillip were sent to Switzerland to school while still in grade school. Stephen learned to ski and enjoyed time spent there. He later graduated from high school and college.

Stephen worked on a farm until he was drafted into the US Army Air Corps. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was honorable discharged in 1946. Returning from service, he drove a propane truck for a time in Colorado. Stephen worked for TRW in Ogallala, Nebraska, transferring to the McCook TRW plant in 1966. He retired from the company after a heart attack in 1985. He later worked at Walmart in the sporting department and as a greeter.

He was united in marriage to Janice M. Greenlee on June 27, 1975. The couple made their home in rural Frontier County north of McCook. Stephen enjoyed the outdoors, where he planted gardens and fished. He was an sports fan, especially football and hockey. He played hockey in his early years. His favorite team was who ever was playing against Nebraska, just because he knew Janice was a fan.

He is survived by his wife, Janice of McCook; a daughter, Lynn Bullock; two sons, Steve and Van, all of Hastings; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother -in-law, Ed and wife, Marilyn Unger of McCook; sisters-in-law, Louise Kelsey of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts and Phyllis Greenlee of Bartley, Nebraska and Judy Greenlee of Indianola.

Graveside inurnment will be at the Fort McPherson Pavillion I at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska, on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at 1 p.m.with Pastor Gary Smith officiating.

Memorials may be left in Stephen's name at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.