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| Velda Lee Kircher Kelley |
Velda Lee grew up on her family’s dairy farm and attended East Lynne Elementary School. She graduated from Harrisonville High School, where she was an outstanding student.
She married Phillip K. Kelley March 28, 1954 at the First Christian Church in Harrisonville, where the couple remained lifelong members. For many years, Velda Lee served as the church organist, and she was a talented pianist. At first, the couple farmed near the community of Lone Tree, Mo., later moving to Archie, Mo. In 2000, they built a home on Phillip’s family farm, atop the hill on 2 Highway East known by most in the area as “thrill hill.”
She worked at Bendix/Allied Signal, retiring after 33 years as an executive secretary. Following her retirement, she spent 30 years as a tour director. It was her second career as a tour director that she loved most. She delighted in taking busloads of friends, old and new, to popular destinations such as Branson and the Amana Colonies. She loved taking groups on her famous “mystery tours.” These often were day trips that included lunches and attractions off the beaten path. She traveled internationally to countries such as Germany and Ireland where she explored her family’s heritage. Truly, Velda Lee loved experiencing new adventures. She was fascinated by learning about different locations, cultures and people.
She was a member of the Red Hatters Society, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and had been involved with the Cass County Historical Society.
Velda Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn M. Kircher and Leta Henry Kircher, and an infant sister, Nelberta Kircher. She is survived by her husband, Phillip K. Kelley, of the home; and two brothers, Jimmy M. Kircher and his wife, Freida; and P.D. Kircher and his wife, Evelyn, all of Harrisonville. She also is survived by three nieces and their families: Sherry Kircher Osburn, Jamie Kircher Bowers and the Rev. Dr. Ann Kircher; and two nephews and their families, Tim Fox and Eli Kircher; as well as many other friends and relatives.
Visitation will be held from _6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 23, 2017 at the Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Mo.
Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the First Christian Church. Velda Lee’s niece, the Rev. Dr. Ann Kircher, will officiate the service along with the Rev. Paul Porter, Pastor at the First Christian Church of Harrisonville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Daughters of the American Revolution (www.dar.org), or the First Christian Church of Harrisonville.
