Dannelle M. Kelly

Dannelle Marie Kelly was born on February 27, 1953 to Edwin and Marcella (Jorgenson) Bader in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She was raised in Sioux Falls and attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1970. On a Friday night at West Sioux Roller Rink, she met Dell Kelly. The couple skated the next three nights and that Monday night, Dell officially asked her on a date and the couple has never been apart since. On February 17, 1973, the couple was united in marriage at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. They moved to Colorado for a short time and then back home to South Dakota. They lived in Canton for 11 years and then settled in Sioux Falls. Dannelle was a loving, selfless caretaker of others throughout her life. She raised her children, her granddaughter, Christa, and was a daycare provider and second mom to many other children for over 30 years. She officially retired on October 4, 2023, and the couple moved to Luverne, Minnesota.  

Dannelle’s life was lived in service to those that she loved. She cherished her kids and grandkids. She was Dell’s soulmate and was always right there whenever he needed her. She showed love with food and always had supper ready. She had a way of rolling her eyes at Dell and a special way of reminding him she was his number one! She enjoyed watching scary movies with Christa and Dell, and was an avid fan of the television show “Big Brother”. She never missed an episode from its very first showing…that was 25 years of “Big Brother”! She also enjoyed raising and riding horses. Dannelle traveled all over the United States attending concerts, some of her favorites were REO Speedwagon, Luke Bryan, Collin Raye.

She is survived by her husband, Dell of Luverne; two children, Shalako (Maria) Kelly of Luverne, and Shannon Kelly of Sioux Falls; five grandkids, Christa Kelly, Makayla Cheskie, Megan Driscoll, Lucas Kelly, and Levi Kelly; and six great-grandkids, Allen, Ella Mae, Everett, Charlotte, Hazel, Leo and Penelope; siblings, David (Deb) Bader, Dana (Steve) Peterson, and Dawn Bader-Marshall; her favorite people, Camille, Kimmy, Jilianne, Laura, Tammy D. and Tammy G., David and Katie; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Taylor Kelly; parents; two sisters, Rose Mary McCoy and Kathy Bader; and a brother, Danny Bader.