Elva Mildred Petterson Kelso, born April 28, 1927, in Buffalo, N.Y., passed away Friday, July 24, 2015.
Elva has lived happily for the past 19 months with her stepdaughter and son-in-law, Jody and Randy Caldwell, along with her granddog and protector Priss in Rockwall, Texas. Elva is also survived by her nephew Michael Skalac and his wife Priscilla of Bourbonnais, Ill.; nieces Elva (Bunny) Keehn and Robyn Skalac of Pell City, Ala.; step-daughter Jan Fitz and her husband Michael of Apollo Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Jack Earl Kelso; parents Harold and Marie Petterson; sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Ralph Skalac; and stepdaughter Jackie Kelso.
Elva worked 13 years in trade association management before joining the Peace Corps and serving in Iquitos, Peru, on a project to establish a savings and loan association, where she met her husband, Jack. She later served as a volunteer with the American Red Cross in disaster relief for over 10 years and at Ennis Regional Medical Center for six years until she suffered a stroke in 2012.
The family is respecting and honoring her wishes for no funeral or burial services.
Her ashes will be interred with her husband’s at North Belton Cemetery in Belton, Texas.
