Rosella Kelley

After 96 beautiful years of life, Rose Kelley, of Roosevelt, Washington, passed away peacefully in Richland, Washington, on Monday, July 17, 2017. The angels gathered her up and took her to heaven, to the waiting arms of her beloved husband, Leslie Kelley.

Born in Mansfield, Washington on April 10, 1921, Rose was the youngest child of ZB and Ida Wells. She had four brothers: Joseph Wells, Otto Wells, George Wells, and Jack Wells and three sisters: Mary Woods, Helen Schneider, and Bessie Knapp. Her precious sister in-law, Mrs. Jack Wells, of Bridgeport, Washington, is the last living member of this generation.

Rose was a wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, and friend. She was a cattle rancher, apple packer, wheat truck driver, deer hunter, store and café owner, and bookkeeper for many years at the Farmer’s Warehouse and Commission Company Grain Elevator, in Roosevelt, Washington. She loved her rose garden, riding horses, quilting, sewing, crocheting, canning fruits, and making jam. She loved kittens and country music. She enjoyed Bible study. She liked attending the Klickitat County Fair. She was a long term member of the Bickleton Alder Rebekah Lodge. When Rose owned the Wood Gulch Inn Café in Roosevelt, people would drive for miles for a piece of her delicious pie.

Rose grew up in rural Okanagan County, on the Colville Indian Reservation. She graduated from the eighth grade at Duley Lake School. She met Leslie while he worked on a summer harvest crew. They were married on December 9, 1935.

Rose accompanied Leslie as he sheared sheep throughout the northwest to make their living. They also followed the rodeo circuit, with Leslie riding bucking horses. They bought property in the Methow Valley and started their family. Karen was born in 1943 and Emlie in 1946. When the girls were small, they moved to Roosevelt, Washington, closer to Leslie’s parents and siblings. They lived the rest of their lives on the ranch in Roosevelt.

Rose is survived by her two daughters: Karen Mains (husband George, deceased) of Leavenworth, WA and Emlie and Larry Bowcutt of Roosevelt, WA; four grandchildren:  Sherri and Koross Hosieni of Snoqualmie, WA, Kara and Dan Spalding of Redmond, WA, Kelley and Patti Bowcutt of Roosevelt, WA, and Gordon Bowcutt and fiancé Kim Cooper of Longview, Washington; four great grandchildren: Philip Spalding, Erik Spalding, Cassidy Rose Bowcutt, and Devin Holden. Kelley’s marriage to Patti placed Justin & Heather Beirle, Holly Hill, Paisley Hill and Hadlee Beirle into Grandma Rose’s loving arms. Other special grandchildren are Kenny Hearne (deceased), Ronny Hearne, and Kim Cooper’s children Taylor and Marley. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Leslie and Rose nurtured and loved several other young people through the years: Dude Duffy (deceased), Bob and Sam Barnes, Tina Knapp, Clay and Shannon Hearne, and the Hamilton children.  “Grandma Rose” is loved by many generations of young people throughout the community and region.

A funeral celebration of her precious life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, July 21, at the Bickleton Community Church, in Bickleton, WA. Joel Knapp and Danny Alires will officiate. There will be a viewing at the church before the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Pallbearers: Brian Marshall, Bryan Barker, Charlie Barker, Dale Conley, Carl Ryan, and Joe Shattuck and Honorary Pallbearers: Terry Ketchum, Mark Stewart, Jack Mulrony, Matt Spalding, Bob Powers, and Don Molnar. Those wishing to sign Rosella’s online memorial may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.  Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

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