Capitola Kelley
Capitola Irene (Grimes) Kelley was born to Clyde Raymond and Mary Irene (Taylor) Grimes at home on October 13, 1922. She was the second of seven children, having two sisters; Lila and Marie and four brothers; Dennis, Milton (Buck), Robert (Bob) and Eldon.
Cap grew up in the Best and Champion communities of Chase County, Nebraska. She attended Prairie Gem School until the family moved to Champion, where she attended 7th and 8th grades advancing to high school in Imperial and graduating the 12th grade in 1941.
Cap enjoyed sharing stories of those years growing up on the family farm with her siblings, milking cows, separating the milk, churning butter, plus so many other “chores” that needed to be done. Cap remembered a time of walking 3 miles to school each day until a horse was purchased for the kids to ride to and from school. Many memories were created from the love of her parents, brothers and sisters that she has not forgotten. As each family member grew and married, it was not uncommon for all brothers, sisters and their families to come together to celebrate birthdays and holidays. With this, even more memories were shared.
Cap met and married Robert Charles Kelley and they were married July 5, 1941, in Benkelman, NE. They began their life together in what they called the “big house” in Champion, NE. Robert and Cap were married 56 years and were very loving parents to their three children: Patricia Mae, William Wayne and Pamela Raylene.
Cap worked at Don Welch’s grocery store during their time in Champion. In 1956 Robert and Cap moved to Ft. Morgan, CO, where Robert worked construction with Cap later working part-time at the Morgan County Hospital as a nurses’ aid. With both Robert’s and Cap’s parents still living in the Imperial and Champion areas, they decided to move back “home” in 1968. There they managed the Imperial Hotel. Besides helping with the hotel, Cap also worked part-time at Skogmos Clothing Store for a short time. She then became a Dispatcher at the Imperial Sheriff’s office for 3 years until retiring. Cap was a member of the Andrew J. Kinder Post #4688 United States Auxiliary to the VFW since November 12, 1973. She became part of the Imperial Heights/Manor family in 2010 where she was loved and cared for until her passing. Everyone that knew her called her Cap. Capitola passed from this life on July 12, 2022, at the Imperial Manor at the age of 99.
Cap will be remembered by her son, Wayne Kelley and wife Sue; and daughter, Pamela Stanton and husband Rayburn. Grandchildren: Teresa, Stacey, William, Amanda, Kymberlie, Robert, Tonia, Jeremey and Tyler. Great-grandchildren: Ryan, Kyle, Lane, Brock, Skylar, Rylee, Emma, Braydon, Kavik, Owen, Austin, Ethan, Logan, Haylee, Marcus, Cora, Eva, David and Marle. Sister, Marie; Brother, Eldon Grimes and wife Shirley; Sister-in-law, Phyllis (Kelley) Barham; Sister-in-law, Peggy (Robert) Grimes; many nieces and nephews, plus Robert and Cap’s dear friends, Bill and Pat Kilpatrick, as well as the caring and giving staff at the Imperial Manor and Parkview Heights whom became Cap’s “family”.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Raymond and Irene; husband Robert; daughter Patricia and Patricia’s husband Lester; sister Lila and brothers Dennis, Buck and Bob.
Graveside services for Cap will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022, 3:30 p.m. (MT), at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial, Nebraska, with Randy Hayes officiating. Visitation will be held before services 1:00-3:00 p.m. (MT), at Liewer Funeral Home in Imperial, NE.
A memorial has been established in Cap’s memory to the Imperial Senior Center and the Imperial Manor Nursing Home.
On-line condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
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