Katherine 'Ann' Mckelvey

Katherine #8220;Ann#8221; McKelvey, 73, of Bozeman, MT, formerly of Fresno, CA, passed away Tuesday, November 13, 2007 peacefully at home with her daughter Duran by her side. She was born September 10, 1934 in Crawford, NE, the daughter of Robert #8220;Duke#8221; and Katherine Wellington. Ann was raised in Crawford, NE and graduated from Crawford High School where she was a cheerleader, majorette in the band and Homecoming Queen. She attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Ann married the boy next door, #8220;Chuck#8221; McKelvey, and they moved to Hanford, CA, where their daughter Duran was born. Ann and Duran later moved to Fresno, CA where Ann lived most of her life until August of 2007, when she went to live near her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Bozeman, MT. As an infant, Ann won Crawford#8217;s beautiful baby contest, and as a young girl she was a member of the Junior Division of the National Rifle Association (at the Pro-Marksman level). Ann was an accomplished horsewoman and was selected as the Rodeo Queen for both the Crawford and Alliance, NE rodeos. In later years she was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Crawford. She enjoyed raising her daughter, target-shooting, horseback riding, cooking, sewing, picnicking in the mountains, and hunting for treasures in thrift stores. As her sister Nancy said, #8220;there wasn#8217;t a fence that could hold her or a tree she couldn#8217;t climb.#8221; Ann will be remembered as a strong and independent woman and for her wonderful sense of humor and fun loving nature. She was treasured as a loyal friend by many and her grandkids would like to thank her for being the best grandma in the world. She was preceded in death by her parents and ex husband. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Duran and Phil Atkins; grandchildren Jesse Atkins, Kalen Higton, Ariel Atkins and Eli Atkins all of Bozeman, MT; brother Rob Wellington of Carmel, CA; sister Nancy Hansen of Douglas City, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ann#8217;s life will be held the summer of 2008 in Crawford, NE. Memorials may be made in her name to: Bozeman Deaconess Hospice @ 915 Highland Blvd. Bozeman, MT 59715 or the Breast Cancer Foundation Condolences may be sent to the family at 7970 Nash Rd. Bozeman, MT 59715 or duranatk@gmail.com.