Dolores Kelly

Dolores Kavan Kelly passed away on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 in Haxtun at the age of 89.

She was born Feb. 26, 1932 at Porter Hospital in Denver. Dolores was the youngest of three children born to Edward Benedict and Agnes Shavlik Kavan. She attended Denver Parochial Schools, including St. Vincent DePaul grade school and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1949. Dolores graduated with an English education major from Colorado State University in 1953 with Phi Beta Kappa honors. She was active in many clubs at CSU and was president of her sorority, Sigma Kappa.  

She married her college sweetheart, David W. Kelly, on April 4, 1954 in Denver at University Park Methodist Church. The newlyweds moved to Holyoke, where David farmed his family's land. In 1957, Dave and Dolores bought a farm south of Haxtun, where they lived happily and raised a family. They were married for 62 years until David's death in 2016. Dolores was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Upon her marriage, Dolores joined the Methodist Church, was active in the United Methodist Women service group, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served on many church boards and committees. 

Dolores was a substitute teacher in the Haxtun Public Schools. For 20 years, she was a Phillips County election judge. In June 2021, Dolores was recognized for 65 years of dedication to the P.E.O. Sisterhood by the Colorado State Chapter of P.E.O. Dolores also loved to play Bridge.

She is survived by daughters Delynn Kelly, Haxtun, and Dr. Dana Heiny and husband Bill, Evans; son David C. Kelly and wife Miriam of Irvine, Calif.; granddaughter Elizabeth Kelly and step-grandson Michael Adams, both of California; triplet grandchildren Voran, Paxon and Brogan Heiny, Evans; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dolores is preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers Edward R. Kavan and Robert E. Kavan; sisters-in-law, Margaret Dora, Aileen Mumford, Ruth Kelly and Patricia K. Kavan; brothers-in-law James Dora and Franklin Mumford; and niece Ann Mumford. 

A private family memorial service will be held later. Memorials are suggested to your favorite local charity or the Haxtun Hospital Foundation. 

Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg is assisting the Kelly family.