LeRoy Kelm

January 26th, 1929 - January 18th, 2021

LeRoy's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of LeRoy here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

You can never be fully ready or prepared for how the passing of a loved one will affect you, the thoughts and memories that will come back and all your favorite things about that person you are going to miss. I always loved joking around with Grandpa. I don't know at what point in life this started, but we always exchanged this witty banter between one another, calling each other "good looking", "old fart", "young fart", you know, the things you say to each other. It was almost always how we started and ended visits with each other. That and hugs goodbye that turned from a warm embrace to a competition of strength of who could hug harder. And I'm really going to miss that. Humor was one of the big things he rubbed off on me. Which is why I want to share this childhood memory, because I think it embodies a lot of him as a person. I was lucky enough to live close to my grandparents and it wasn't uncommon for us to go over there for a holiday, birthday or just a visit. One thing that you could always count on was that Grandpa was working on something in his basement wood shop, and he always said that kept him out of the bar jokingly. This one time that we were visiting, I think it was for one of my grandparents's birthday, Grandpa said he was working on something and he wanted to show it to me. A few minutes later, he returned from the basement with what looked like a boring, wooden rectangle. A kid of elementary age wasn't quite sure what to make of this. He said "hey Jay why don't you open the door". I didn't even realize this thing had a door. But there it was, facing me. What happened next had the whole room in an uproar. When I opened the door, I saw a figure inside, who as I opened the door, stood up. With the door fully ajar now, a stream of water unexpectedly spritzed me. This was the day I learned what an outhouse was. Grandpa was always good for a joke, a hug, helping you on a wood project, telling you how proud he was of you and that he loved you. When Grandma passed away last year, I know that couldn't have been easy for him. It's comforting to know that they are together now and my memories with him will always be there. Love you, old fart.

Jason Kelm

January 22nd, 2021 at 8:30am

While I only knew Leroy for a little over 3 years, his life, stories, and willingness to talk to me was very precious. My favorite memories of him was spending time with him during birthdays, Easter and Christmas. While others talked amongst themselves I always made it a point to steal away Leroy so we could talk. I felt a little selfish, however I will never regret taking the time to talk to him. My other favorite time was this past summer when I got to take him out for breakfast. He fought me for the check and he won ,of course. I tried so hard to sneak it out of the waitress but he caught me every time. His stories of his past work, marriage and general life were music to my ears. Sure you would hear the same stories sometimes but if you interjected and asked for more detail you definitely got it. While I am not officially part of this great family I always thought of Leroy as a Grandfather and he never made me feel like I was not a part of the family. You will be missed Sir. Love you Grandpa!