Richard “Dick” Elmer Kelson

Richard “Dick” Elmer Kelson, 77, passed away from a tragic accident on May 16, 2011.  

Services were held on Saturday, May 21, 2011, at the St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry with the Rev. Carlos Perez officiating. A celebration of his life followed the services at his home.

Richard was bon on Sept. 2, 1933, to Elmer and Mildred Kelson in Bonners ferry, Idaho. He had one older sister Marlene and later a half-sister Carol.  

Richard spent most of his years growing up in the Bonners Ferry and Porthill areas. He attended the Catholic Academy in Sprague, Wash., and later went to high school in Bonners Ferry.  

He left Idaho for Montana where he attended the College of Great Falls.  From there he went into the Navy where he proudly served from 1955 till 1961. Richard attended the University of Washington for more than two years, taking courses in pre-med.

On Nov. 28, 1969, Dick married Lorraine Jensen. They resided in Bonners Ferry. Together they had four children: Jackie Eugene, Jill Lorraine, Tammy Renee and Jennifer Marie. They enjoyed their years together, raising their family and growing their nursery.

Mr. Kelson took on many jobs throughout his life. One that stands out to the family are the pizza places he ran in Montana. He always made the best pizza a tradition that his family will try to carry on. He was a jack of all trades; he could fix anything.

He fulfilled his dream of owning and operating his own business in the early 1970s with North Idaho Tree Farms, which he was still operating at the time of his death.

His family can recall his friend calling him buzz saw for the tight hook he had, as he was a Golden Gloves champion at the College of Great Falls.  Oh, the stories his family heard.

Mr. Kelson, or Dad to his children, was very generous as he always donated a large blue spruce to the city of Bonners Ferry for the city’s Christmas tree lighting event. He looked forward to it each year.  

He was a very passionate man and wrote poetry from his heart, which is how he liked to express himself.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer Kelson and Mildred Thorstad; his stepmother Maggie Kelson; sisters Marlene Throm and Carol Kelson; his wife Lorraine Kelson and son Jackie Kelson.

He is survived by daughters Jill Nystrom and husband Dan, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Tammy Iwerks and husband Scott of Nirichiik, Alaska; Jennifer Kelson (Brian Mertzweiller) of Bonners Ferry; and his grandchildren, Melissa (Bryant) Brown, Lillian Kelson, Hannah Kelson, Nicholas Kelson, Ira Iwerks, Mason Kelson, Maddox Mertzweiller and Piper Mertzweiller.

His family says of him: “Our father was the most kind, loving and unselfish man. A man that would put others before himself. His family and friends meant the world to him.”

He enjoyed the simple things in life. Just getting a good night sleep would put a huge smile on his face. He enjoyed picking morel mushrooms, picking huckleberries with his family, fishing with his grandkids and helping out at Jill’s Café.

Classic cars became his passion. He enjoyed showing off his 51 Chevy Belair and his 1960 Imperial Crown.

“We will celebrate your life each and every day Dad; remembering your cute smile, funny little chuckle and the love that you brought to us,” the family wrote.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our father, grandfather and friend. A man that was not ready to die, a man that will live in our hearts for eternity.  

“May the Lord hold now, rest in peace and know though you may be unseen you live with us in mind, body and spirit.

“To a amazing man our father, Dick Kelson, we all love you so much.”