Julia M. Kelley

Julia Marie (Colson) Kelley was born in Two Buttes, Colorado in 1933 to William Eugene and Una Lorena (Brown) Colson. She was the oldest of four children born into this family. By the time Julia started school, the family was living in Lamar, her dad running a car mechanics garage.

Julia met Keith, the love of her life on a blind date; a hayrack ride sponsored by Future Farmers of America. They dated for three years. Then, at the beginning of her senior year of high school, Julia's family chose to move to Denver for job opportunities. Julia and Keith didn't want to be separated so during a fall break in school, Keith and Julia were married. Their Union took place in a little Pilgrim Holiness church in Lamar. They were married for seventy-four years last October.

Julia was a stay-at-home Mom until the girls were both in school. Then she began her career as a cook for the nearby elementary school. Julia liked the hours as she was home with the girls when they were out of school. She held this job until just a few years before retirement when she cooked for one of the dormitories at Colorado University in Boulder.

Julia loved working in the children's department of the church. She taught Sunday School, children's church, assisted and directed Vacation Bible School held every summer. Julia enjoyed supporting Keith in Gideons International. She was active in the Gideon Auxiliary and enjoyed especially the privilege of ministering to the inmates of the Women's prison while it was in Brush. She was instrumental in guiding some of these women to make decisions for Christ while serving there.

Julia was very creative. She was a master seamstress, an amazing cook, a meticulous housekeeper and the kindest mother a couple of girls could ever desire. She made quilts, curtains, dresses, and shirts for Keith to wear. It was quite a shock the first time she went to town and bought a ready-made dress.

Julia is survived by a sister, Anna Colson; her two daughters Sandra Howard and Cheryl Carlson, her son-in-law, Tony Carlson; three grandchildren Greg Boettcher, Laura Carlson, and Lana Hickey; six great-grandchildren Katie Boettcher, Caleb Boettcher, Piper Hickey, Bentley Hickey, Tierney Hickey and Dylan Carlson.

Julia is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene & Una Colson, brother Robert Colson, sister Patricia Colson, her husband Keith Kelley, son-in-law Glenn Howard, and granddaughter-in-law Christi Boettcher.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Heer Mortuary in Brush at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow the service at Brush Memorial Cemetery.

Julia's Service may be viewed online by clicking the link below:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc3MzE1MjI3MjQwNDUwOSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

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