Kelley Traversie

Mass of Christian Burial for Kelley Traversie, 60, of Mandan, ND was held November 3, 2021 at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial was at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.

Kelley passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021, at her home in Mandan.

Kelley Rae Ehly was born December 11, 1960 to her loving parents, Ben and Bonita (Miller) Ehly in Mobridge. She was the sparkle in her loving parents’ eyes since the day she was born.

In 1967 Ben, Bonita, and Kelley moved from Firesteel to Timber Lake, where her parents taught in the Timber Lake School system. Kelley graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1979. She was a great student and even better friend. She made and kept many friends in high school. She enjoyed cheerleading while at Timber Lake. She attended Northern State University in Aberdeen 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. They both went to Mitchell Technical Institute and Kelley got her associates degree in secretary work while Melvin got his degree in power line 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.

Kelley being an only child and Melvin being the youngest of 14, they 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 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 their youngest daughter, Jordyn Rae. They had their hands full and Kelley and Melvin couldn’t be happier. They went from an empty nest to four 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 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 kids and was their #1 fan 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 were still getting Easter baskets and Valentine’s gifts in the mail at 28 to 30 years old.

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 moved to Mandan, where they lived and continued working.

Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Melvin; her children, Kasidee (Julian) Whitcher, Ty (Shayna) Traversie, Andrew Traversie, and Jordyn (Colten) Skufca. Jordyn and Colten 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, who will miss “Grandma Kelley” dearly.

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; aunts Shirley Peterson, Dora Finley, Kay Nash, Ella Bachman and Ella Ehly; uncles Alvin Ehly and Albert Bachman; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

(Melvin Traversie’s address is 4430 21 St, SE Apt 220, Mandan, ND 58554)