Evelinne M. Kelso

Kelso, Evelinne M.
92, went home to the Lord on New Year's Day, after a long struggle with COPD. She was raised in Gibson City, IL, a descendant of the "Donner Party" family, who acquired their perseverance and yen for travel. As a young woman, she worked as a secretary in Chicago where, in 1941, she married Robert C. Kelso, who predeceased her in 2001. They enjoyed many travels and adventures in their lifetime. First, he was a prosecuting attorney in Rockford, then, they moved to Arizona where he established a one-man practice in Springerville. In 1951 he joined the CIA, and the family resided in Germany for the next five years. Returning to Arizona in 1956, he became a partner at Lewis and Roca law firm, and, in later years, an elder with the Presbyterian Church of America where they helped establish churches in the Phoenix area. In 1984, they retired to San Diego County and were members of New Life PCA in Escondido. Her family was her "treasure;" and her strength, courage and great faith, will be deeply missed by her survivors: 2 daughters, Sue (Del) Mackey of Aztec, NM, and Margaret (Jerry) Gerard of Escondido; 4 grandchildren; Ronda Kelso of Phoenix, Clifford K. Lowrie (Kim) of Haymarket, VA, Steven and Alex Gerard of Escondido. A gravesite service at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery will be held Friday January 9 at 2:30 pm, with interment to follow.