DeLores C. “Lolly” Kelso, 92 of St. Joseph, MO passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Living Community in St. Joseph. She was born on April 26, 1932 to Elmer and Clara (Jevne) Olson. She married Christopher Franklin “Frank” Kelso in Karlstad, MN on October 2, 1954 and he preceded her in death in 1982. They bought of farm near Savannah in 1969. They raised grain, cattle, and hogs.
DeLores started working for Stetson Hat Co. February 24, 1969. Which merged and became Stetson Hats in St. Joseph, Mo. She was active as a union member, becoming president of United Hatters Local 64 in St. Joseph, MO. She was a certified Union Counselor. İn January 1994 DeLores bought a house and moved to St. Joseph, Mo. She retired from Stetson Hats on October 15,1998. DeLores received a Masters degree in Reiki May 9,1992. She was a certified Hypnotherapist and had completed a course in Spiritual Response Therapy and Emotional Freedom Technique. DeLores was also a Silva Practitioner. She did healing and energy work, and was also a Hanna Kroceger Practitioner.
DeLores is survived by her children, Tommy Lee (Patti) Kelso of Lee’s Summit, MO and ZoAnn (Jim) Kier of Rea, MO; grandchildren, Falan (Daniel) Mullett, Zachary (Lisa) Zahnd, Rebecca (Cory) Saxton, and Stephnie (Gage Melton) Kelso; step-children, Frankie Schlender of Olympia, WA and Cheryl Kelso of Settle, WA; siblings, Randell (Peggy) Olson of Washington and Arlyne Cote of Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, Wallace Olson, Floyd Olson, and Orville Olson.
Visitation and family receiving hours will be 5:00pm – 7:00pm Monday, February 24, 2025 at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home in Savannah, MO. Funeral services will be 10:00am Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Breit-Hawkins Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Weatherman Cemetery, Guilford, MO.
