Alicia Ann Kelley, 79, of Johnston, passed away peacefully on Aug. 29, 2023, following her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Born on June 29, 1944, in Des Moines, Alicia was the daughter of Arthur and Darlene Hueschen. Her childhood was spent in Danville, Iowa, where she shared cherished moments with her sister and brother on the family farm. One of her favorite childhood memories was riding and caring for her beloved horse, Lady.
Alicia graduated from Danville High School in 1962 before relocating to Des Moines. Alicia married Donald R. Geisler in 1969 and had two children: Scott and Stefanie. They later divorced. On Jan. 10, 1998, she married Lennis D. Kelley, with whom she recently celebrated 25 years of marriage.
Alicia will be remembered for her big heart and always caring for the people around her. When she wasn’t spoiling her kids and grandkids, she loved spending time tending to her flower gardens, or making beautiful quilts for the family. The game of golf also held a special place in her heart; she was a skilled golfer who relished friendly competition with friends in many leagues throughout the years.
Apart from being a wonderful homemaker, Alicia took pride in her successful wallpapering business and later her sales position in the Des Moines area, and was known for her meticulous attention to detail on every project. Above all, Alicia had her faith and she was an active member of her church community in Burlington, where she made many friends.
Alicia will be missed by her husband, Lennis Kelley, and their loving dog Smokey; her son and daughter-in-law, Scott Geisler and Jennifer WendtGeisler, and their children, Grayson, Ronan, and Calder, North Liberty; her daughter and son-in-law, Stefanie and Lee Bailey, and their children, Josh and Kate, Urbandale; her stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Christina and Brad Dalton, and their children, Logan, Jadenn, Runey, Griffen, and Bri, Independence, Mo.; her stepdaughter and stepson-in-law, Darcy and Alex Sherwood, and their children, Spencer and Sydney, Iowa City; and her stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Duane and Lindi Kelley, and their children, Jack and Liam, Shawnee, Kan.; her sister, Marie Richards and her husband Bob, New London; and her brother, John Hueschen, Burlington.
A private prayer service and inurnment will be held at a later date at Prairie Grove Cemetery in Prairie Grove.
The family is grateful to the caregivers at WesleyLife Hospice and the staff at Brio of Johnston for taking care of Alicia over the past two years. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Alicia’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association (http://act.alz.org/donate).