Gary Kelsay

Gary LeRoy Kelsay, 66, of Fort Collins, died peacefully Dec. 15, 2005, at his residence. Gary learned he had advanced cancer in December 2004. Mr. Kelsay was born July 11, 1939, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Uel Andrew Kelsay and Stella Marie Thomas Kelsay. Gary was raised in Southwest Iowa, graduated from Red Oak High School in 1957, attended the University of Iowa and Simpson College. He also served in the National Guard. Gary married Karen Rae Swan on June 18, 1961, in West Des Moines, Iowa, and they have enjoyed their 44 years of marriage. Gary and Karen raised their three children in Red Oak, Iowa. They also lived in the Boulder/Longmont area for 23 years. In 2003, they moved to Rapid City, S.D. They have lived in Fort Collins for the past nine months. Gary was a self-employed entrepreneur and was involved in many businesses. Gary was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Longmont. He was past president of Pinzguaer Cattle Association. He was a pilot, member of the church choir and church instrumental group. He took pleasure in being the caretaker of his parents. He enjoyed traveling and had many friends and business acquaintances throughout the world. We can celebrate in knowing we were touched by such a beautiful human being as Gary. His love, his intellect, his wit, his warmth, his faith, his wisdom, his friendship and ever-present optimistic attitude influenced our lives in a special and meaningful way. He will be greatly missed. Mr. Kelsay is survived by his wife, Karen of Fort Collins; two sons, Troy and wife, Danielle Kelsay, of Solon, Iowa and Rodney and wife, Kimberley Kelsay, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; a daughter, Stephanie and husband, Todd Campbell, of Fort Collins; three grandchildren, Quintin and Bailey Kelsay and Emily Campbell; his parents, Uel and Stella Kelsay of Fort Collins; and one brother, Thomas and wife, Rosemary Kelsay, of Highlands Ranch. A memorial celebration service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1000 W. 15th Ave., Longmont. Interment will follow at the church. Pastor Matthew Bolz-Weber and Pastor Glenn Isernhagen will officiate at the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.