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Mass of Christian Burial for Kelley Traversie, 60, of Mandan will be at 10 AM, Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial will be at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Kelley passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021, at her home in Mandan.

Kelley Rae (Ehly) Traversie was born December 11, 1960 to her loving parents, Ben and Bonita (Miller) Ehly in Mobridge, SD. She was the sparkle in her loving parents' eye since the day she was born. Ben and Bonita brought Kelley back to their home in Firesteel, SD. In 1967 Ben, Bonita, and Kelley moved to Timber Lake where her parents were renowned teachers in the Timber Lake School system. From then on, she went to Timber Lake School until graduation in 1979. She was a great student and even better friend. She made and kept many friends in high school. She also enjoyed cheerleading while at Timber Lake. From there, she was off to Northern State University for a year before coming home to work at various jobs.

She met the love of her life, Melvin Paul Traversie in 1980, and on August 28, 1982, they became one in a wedding ceremony at the United Parish Church in Timber Lake, SD. They both went to Mitchell Technical Institute and Kelley got her associates degree in Secretary Work while Melvin got his degree in Powerline Construction and Maintenance. They moved back to Timber Lake and Kelley worked at the Court House as the Deputy Auditor for a few years as Melvin began working at Moreau Grand Electric as a Lineman in Timber Lake, SD.

Kelley being an only child and Melvin being the youngest of 14 both knew they wanted a big family of their own. In 1991, their prayers were answered as they were blessed with daughter, Kasidee Jade, and son Ty Paul. Their prayers would yet again be answered soon. In April 1992, Kelley and Melvin had their son, Andrew Benjamin. The following spring in 1993, they were blessed yet again with the youngest daughter, Jordyn Rae. They had their hands full and Kelley and Melvin couldn't be happier. They went from an empty nest, to 4 beautiful children, all within 26 months of each other. Kelley then became the leader and rock of the family as a stay-at-home Mom and also took care of the family ranch while Melvin was at work. She loved being a mother and did anything and everything for her children. She was so proud of her 4 kids and was their absolute #1 Fans as they participated and excelled in Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Track, Cross Country, and Rodeo. You could always count on her being in the stands, cheering them all on. They will attest to her loving and thoughtful soul, as they would still be getting Easter baskets and Valentine's gifts in the mail at 28-30 years old. She wanted to protect and love her 4 kids any way she could. She did any job she had well and with pride. Her favorite title of all was being a Wife and Mom.

In 2017, Kelley started working a couple days a week at Perkins Restaurant in Bismarck, ND. She quickly fell in love with the Bismarck area and her "Perkins Family". In 2019, Kelley and Melvin found an apartment and moved to Mandan, ND where they lived and continued working. They enjoyed living in North Dakota.

Surviving her is her loving husband of 39 years, Melvin Paul Traversie, her children, Kasidee (Julian) Whitcher, Ty (Shayna) Traversie, Andrew Traversie, and Jordyn (Colten) Skufca. Jordyn and Colten recently got married in September and Kelley said it was one of the happiest days of her life. She was the best grandma and loved spoiling and spending time with her grandchildren, Tait, Jayden, Aubree, and Rylie. They will miss "Grandma Kelley" so dearly. They will continue to grow up knowing their grandma loved them very much.

Preceding Kelley in death are her parents, Ben and Bonita Ehly, Paternal Grandparents, Lydia and William Ehly, Maternal Grandparents, Frank and Esther Miller, Mother and Father In-Law, Blaine and Edith Traversie, Brothers In-Law, Red Traversie, Tom Traversie, Pierre Traversie, and Delbert Traversie, Maternal Aunts, Shirley Peterson, Dora Finley, Kay Nash, Paternal Aunts Ella Bachman, Ella Ehly, and Paternal Uncles Alvin Ehly and Albert Bachman, as well as many loved cousins, nieces, and nephews.