Barbra Kelly, age 90, of Circle.

Barbra Kelly, age 90, of Circle passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the McCone County Nursing Home in Circle.

Barbra Sikveland was born in Circle, Montana on May 27, 1934 to Njadl and Anna (Mortenson) Sikveland. She joined older siblings, Neale and Karen. Later, sisters Kristy and Joyce joined the family. Barbra went to school in Circle and then moved to Washington with her dad and stepmom, Anne, where she graduated from Marysville High School at the age of seventeen. She married Francis D. Kelly on July 12, 1952. To this union were born ten children: Jeffery, Roxanna, Leslie, Ellary, Francis, Jeanna, Burton, Colleen, Carolyn and Jason. More children were added as mom took in foster children with five becoming family: Dean, Jim, Cody, Zane and JoAnne. Mom was always open to more at the table and fed many a neighbor, friends, family member or stranger. She was “mom” to many. She was a troupe leader for her son’s Boy Scout’s and as the children went to school, she became “School Mom” which turned into “School Grandma”. She continued to feed those gathered at her table as she opened her home to friends of her grandchildren to have daily school lunches. It is estimated that some seventy plus children had lunch at her home throughout the years. Also, redolent were the breakfast pancakes that were the size of the plate and perfected by the toppings of home-made jellies and syrup. Few left her hospitality without enjoying grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. In later years it was her recipe, but it was her grandson Nevin who made the dozens of cookies. She was known by many as the “Cookie Grandma”. The first grandson, Chris, as a toddler translated that (perhaps by coxing of his dad) as “Cooky Grandma”. It made mom laugh.

Mom held many jobs. As a young wife, she worked as a secretary for the Army, and then on the farm, she milked cows and assisted in daily existence of farm life. Mom loved to garden and put up many cans of produce. She was known for her love of yellow roses and the summer flower choice of marigolds. She spent endless hours with her sewing machine, mending, creating and quilting. She made sure that each of her grandchildren had a quilt from her and another quilt came as a wedding gift. Grandson Eric received two quilts as he so loved his first, he wore it to tatters and Roxie interceded for a replacement. Like many women of the time, se washed her clothes with a wringer, washing machine and toted water to the house from an outside pump. She was particularly proud of her dining room which began as weathered boards then sanded with elbow grease and varnished to a gilt. In her fifties, she changed things up and moved to Circle. She had many “town” jobs as well. She was particularly passionate about being a CNA at the local nursing home. Many an accolade dedicated her as excellent at her job. She loved her work and loved the people she worked with. At the age of 76 she retired with 26 years of dedicated services as a CNA. She continued to fill in when needed until a broken shoulder put her into permanent retirement. She often said how much se loved that job as it was meaningful and made her “feel alive”.

Mom loved to travel. She went to several countries with Spain and Norway being her favorite. She loved to tell stories of the castles and scenic views she saw in Spain while working at a mission. Mom’s ancestral home was Norway and she was able to visit there twice. She spoke the language fluently, as Norwegian was the chosen language spoken in her home as a young girl. The relatives that received her in Norway treated her like royalty and honored her as the cherished daughter of their beloved Njadl. Their hospitality and warmth made each visit to each home a special memory. Several visited the United States and brought with them the same awe of her personality and admiration of her attributes.

Mom traveled extensively throughout the United States with her brother Neale and sister-in-law Jessie. These travels also included her sister Karen and a few other friends she met along the way. She boasted that she had been to every state except Alaska. When mom was 83 years young, grandson Rico, booked a trip for her to visit the final state and with his assistance she was able to complete her bucket list.

Mom was an amazing woman who touched the lives of many generations. She was relatable to all generations. She adored babies and would coo with a little one as often as possible. She loved to look after grandchildren and help out where she could. She has two name sakes: Ainslie Barbra and Eivor Ina. Mom loved all her family dearly. Many grandchildren brought their children to see Grandma Kelly, which brought much joy to mom.

She was proud of her children and all that they accomplished in life. She was grateful for her grandchildren and delighted in their triumphs. She celebrated friends and especially looked forward to weekly coffee time meetings. The “Blood-Pressure-Club” was a unique consortium (if you know, you know). She cherished visits from children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. She was a voracious reader, a tireless worker, a woman of great faith in Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior, she was a lover of old western movies, politically astute, and generous with treasured friends and family. She will be deeply missed. She is already.

She leaves us with the lingering lessons: 1) work tenaciously for life, it only comes around once; 2) when the world counts you as “out”, prove them wrong, (that one was demonstrated numerous times)l 3) hardships can be overcome with the grace of God and a whole lot of will power; 4) lend a helping hand if you are able, it might be the only hand that person receives; 5) live life on your own terms, the rest will figure it out later; 6) Yesterday’s mistakes can’t be undone, make the best pathway forward with the lessons learned; and 7) love the ones you are with and live in the present because tomorrow is unknown. Most important of all: 8) Goats have no value in anyway, in any day nor in any place. Period!

Barbra I. Kelly, you are the golden thread that has been woven through the tapestry of our lives. May God keep the weave knit tight and may the frayed ends be mended. We miss you, Mom. Love, from all of us you left to figure it out.

Barbra was preceded in death by her husband, Francis, brothers Ivor and Neale, sister Kristy, dad Njadl Sikveland, mom Anna Kerr, stepmom Anne Sikveland, daughter Roxanna Lundy, son-in-law Bryan Stormer, daughter-in-law Lynn Kelly, granddaughter Ali Massar, grandson Jacob Lundy, grandson Levi Kelly and his wife Mariah, great-grandchildren: William, Dillon, Blake, Hudson, Breanna, Kelly and Jude. She is survived by her children: Jeff (Shirley), Les (Peggy), Ellary (Janine), Frank (Tina), Jeanna (Wade), Burt (Bonnie), Colleen, Faye (Mike), Cody (Rochelle), Jason, Dean, Zane, Jim and JoAnne; forty nine grandchildren, forty three great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Family will receive friends on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Circle. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Circle. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sunday September 22, 2024

Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home

702 Lehman Ave.

Circle, Montana 59215

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Funeral Service

10:00 a.m.

Monday September 23, 2024

Assembly of God Church

Circle, Montana 59215

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Interment

Monday September 23, 2024

Riverview Cemetery

Circle, Montana 59215

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