Jimmie Kelgor

Jimmie Paul Kelgor, 76, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2015, at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa.

He was born June 20, 1938, in Iowa City, Iowa. He was adopted at the age of 6 months by Woersaa and Ethel (Madsen) Kelgor from the Children's Home in Davenport, Iowa, and came to live in Elk Horn, Iowa. Later, a sister, Mary Lee, came to join the family. He and his family lived there until the age of 10, and then they moved to Kimballton, Iowa. He graduated from Elk Horn High School with the class of 1957. He was baptized at Elk Horn Lutheran Church and confirmed at Kimballton Lutheran Church. He continued his education at the barber college in Des Moines and had his shop in Audubon, Iowa.

On October 25, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Mendenhall, and they lived in Audubon a couple years. He furthered his education again by attending electronics school in Omaha and worked for United Airlines in San Francisco, California. They later came back to Iowa to be close to his beloved community of Elk Horn and Kimballton. He then worked at Walnut Grove Products for 16 years until he retired in 1984 due to failing health.

During his retirement, he spent time in his workshop building many projects for his family. He also was a faithful volunteer at the Danish Museum in Elk Horn in the genealogy department. He kept his own family genealogy up to date on his computer.

Jimmie loved the family parties at his house and the many trips to Minnesota, especially with Jack and Connie and family, Dads and Moms, and aunts and uncles; the more the merrier. He also loved the vacations to Hawaii and different states.

His love of music will always be remembered, the louder the better. Gospel, country and patriotic were at the top of his collection. He was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Saturday nights, and the last 12 years helped set up communion with Dorothy, making sure the candle lights were burning.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his parents, Woersaa and Ethel Kelgor; his parents-in-law, Jimmie and Alice Mendenhall; nephew, Tim Richards; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Connie Mendenhall; sister-in-law, Beverly Mendenhall; and many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, J.D., and Julie and husband Corey; granddaughter, Brynja; sister, Mary Lee and husband Maynard Durr; nephew, Tom Richards; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Otis and Marlene Carr, Roger Mendenhall and Bob and Carol Mendenhall; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 23, 2015, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

There is no scheduled visitation, however, family will visit with friends at a luncheon held following the memorial service.