Lori J. Kelley

Lori J. Kelley, 62, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away Saturday, July 3, 2021. Her funeral service will be 10:00 AM Friday, July 9 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls. Visitation begins at 5:00 PM Thursday, July 8 at the funeral home, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Lori Jean Kelley, née Estes, was born on December 21, 1958 to Janeen (Madison) Estes and James Estes. Lori spent a majority of her youth in California and moved to Sioux Falls as a teenager. In 1976, her eldest son Jesse was born. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, Kevin and his son Nicholas whom she cared for as her own. Lori and Kevin were married in 1981 and from this union they shared two more children, a son Boe and a daughter Misty.

Lori was a hard working, outgoing, and kind woman. Of the many things she was passionate about, most attest to the love and dedication she showed to not only her children, but the children she cared for at her daycare, whom she lovingly referred to as her “adopted” children. Lori also worked beside her husband at their furniture store, bar, and thrifting businesses. In more recent years, Lori took up gardening, both flowers and vegetables. She enjoyed canning her own goods, sharing recipes with others and playing games with friends.

Above all else, Lori’s pride and joy were her grandchildren. She loved to attend their many activities: athletics, musicals, and theater. Of her many holiday traditions, her favorites included dying Easter eggs and baking Christmas cookies with the grandkids.

Lori’s kind heart and go getter attitude made an impact on many and she will be dearly missed.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Kevin, with whom she was blessed to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary; their four children, Jesse Ronning, Peoria, AZ, Nick Kelley and his wife, Alicyn, Garner, NC, Boe Kelley and his wife, Crystal, Harrisburg, SD, Misty Kelley, Sioux Falls, SD; her ten grandchildren, Noah, Addison, Kennedy, Kate, Ryan, Kendal, Sienna, Aodhan, Holland, Grace; her brother, Todd Gravning, Sioux Falls, SD; her sister, Lisa Estes and her husband, Bud Uphoff, Wanamingo, MN; and many other relatives and friends.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents, James and Janeen Estes; her parents-in-law, Daryl and Lavonne Kelley; and her grandparents.