Ida "Lillian" Kelley

Ida "Lillian" Kelley, born on March 18, 1941, in a little town in Newfoundland, Canada, she was a woman of remarkable strength, resilience, and love for her family and friends. Lillian, as she was fondly known, set sails from her hometown and eventually found her heart's home in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Her life was a testament to the enduring love for family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life. She created a tapestry of unforgettable memories and left an indelible mark on all those fortunate to have known her.
Lillian worked at Ore Ida Foods, which later became McCain Foods. Yet, her work was not her only passion. Lillian was known for her love of tending to her flowers, sewing, she savored the simple pleasure of going out to dinner with friends, making each outing a celebration of togetherness and life itself. Lillian married James J. Kelley on October 22, 1960, in Victoria Canada. He preceded her in death on September 1, 2013.
Lillian is lovingly remembered by her sons, Harold (Tami) Kelley and Leonard (Deb) Kelley; her daughter-in-law Barbara Kelley; her grandchildren, Dylan Kelley, Cody Kelley and Ashley Kelley; her step-grandchildren, Coral, Dustin, Vanessa and Chris and her step-great-grandson Aden; her sisters, Lona (Boyd) Reynolds and Beulah Ferral; her sisters-in-law, Lillian Clarke and Helen Dillingham. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Lilliann now joins those who preceded her in death, including her parents, Leonard (Olive) Clarke; her husband, James; her son, Shawn Kelley; her brother, Norman Clarke, and brothers-in-law, Robert Dillingham, Tom Farrell, and Robert (Mary) Hagemann
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Jun 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, 54494. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery
We encourage you to share your favorite memories and upload photos of Lillian on the memorial page. May her life and legacy continue to live on in our hearts and minds.