Betty A. Kelly, 99, of Homer, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Homer, with visitation beginning at 10:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will be at Omaha Valley Cemetery. 

Betty was born on January 27, 1927, near Jackson, Nebraska. She was the youngest of six children born to Dave and Burtha (Hansen) Jessen. Her mother passed away when she was just 10 months old, and her father placed her in foster homes. At age five, Betty went to live with Beck and Helga Nelson, whom she lovingly called mom and dad.

Betty attended the historic Comb School outside Homer, completing seventh grade there before attending eighth grade in Ainsworth, Nebraska. On January 20, 1953, Betty married Ross Kelly at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. They shared 53 years of marriage together. Betty spent most of her life in Homer. Before retiring, she worked for 20 years as a cook at Green Acres, later known as Regency Square Nursing Home in South Sioux City.

Betty was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 97 and an active member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Women’s Circle. She enjoyed solving word finds and making quilts with the Women’s Circle.

Betty is survived by her children, Karen Eriksen of Juneau, Alaska, Dan (Barb) Kelly of Hawarden, Iowa, Donna Kelly of Hawarden, Iowa, Margaret Kelly of Homer, Nebraska; sisters-in-law, Mitzi Kelly of Bellevue, Nebraska, Madeline Gallup of Hinton, Iowa, and Jeanette Kelly of Hartington, Nebraska; grandchildren, Eric (Kari) Eriksen of Colorado, Curtis (Hani) Kelly of Lakeville, Minnesota, NaMee (Taylor) Eriksen-Horne of Juneau, Alaska, Cindy Eriksen (Ariel Barrios) of Juneau, Alaska, Stephanie Buhman of Arizona and TJ Buhman of Arizona, Brooke (Matthew) Elliott of Pasco, Washington, Kayla Kelly (Amy Croft) of Bellevue, Washington, Jessica (Zach) Garcia of Poulsbo, Washington, and Tyler (Echo) Kelly of Elkton, South Dakota; great-grandchildren, Luke Eriksen, Elizabeth Eriksen, Mya Pecson, Diego Galindo-Eriksen, Scott Garcia, Harvey Garcia, Shu’Aib Kelly, Jamilah Kelly, Noah Kelly, Adam Kelly, Talib Kelly, Ilyas Kelly, Llyan Kelly, Cameron Buhman, Allyanna Buhman, Sophie Buhman, Sy Eaton, and Keenan Carrasco; many nieces and nephews, including nieces and nephews by marriage; and honorary niece, Cheryl Arrowsmith.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Ross Kelly; biological parents, Dave and Bertha (Hansen) Jessen; foster parents, Beck and Helga Nelson; sisters, Elsie Jessen, Margaret Hunt, and Edith (Ray) Madison; brothers, Alfred (Margaret) Jessen and Hans (Marion) Jessen; nieces and nephews, Kermit Hunt, Mary Louise Jessen, John Jessen, Allen Jessen, Sharon (Jessen) Wingert, Jim Jessen, Michael Kelly, Tim Scott, Matt Kelly, Eugene Kelly, Diane Kelly, Cathy Hall, Mark Kirkpatrick, and Shawn Jessen; son-in-law, Kent D. Eriksen; parents-in-law, Eugene and Amelia Kelly; brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond (Vernice) Kelly, Pete (Mildred) Kelly, Terry Kelly, Ronald Gallup, Hoy Kelly, and Georgia (Milo) Bodlak.