Karen Kelly

Karen LeRue Kelly, 77, of Choteau was known for her outgoing personality and love of life. She was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, wife, horse enthusiast/aficionado, and true force of nature that passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025 after a valiant battle with dementia. She lived a life many of us wish we could.

Born in Great Falls the second of five children, and the only girl of Frank and Shirley Kelly. Karen's larger than life personality granted her many friends and always labelled her as the life of the party. She never met a stranger and frequently started up conversations with folks she chanced to meet. As a proud Choteau Bulldog, she could often be found racing her black and white pinto horse Jingles down the banks of the highway running towards the mountains she adored. If not galloping on horseback out of town or riding with her dad, she most definitely could be found drag racing in the shortest mini skirt she could find.

After graduation from Choteau High School in 1966 she worked as a Nursing Assistant in Great Falls before getting married and moving to Texas in 1968. Karen worked predominantly as a dental hygienist, enjoying the daily interactions with patients and staff. She is known most recently as the "Insurance Lady" at Pioneer Insurance, always enjoying talking with customers and meeting for coffee. She met several of her closest friends while working all of these careers.

Words can't describe the passion and tenacity that Karen brought to everything she set her mind to. She will always be remembered for her rambunctious personality and her love for horses. She was the consummate larger-than-life person that made everyone smile. We couldn't have asked for a more vibrant, loving Mother and Grandma, and will miss her every single day. Her memory will continue to live on in her girls, grandkids, and everyone who loved her.

Even though Karen was a force of nature, she adored her two daughters, Deandra and Candi, raising them to be strong, independent women who share her love for animals. After a long wait and their pursuit of careers, Karen finally became an awesome Gramma to Chad and Cadyn, whom she spoiled completely! She loved introducing them to the mountains of Montana and sharing her love for animals.

Mom's animals were always part of our family. Her beloved horses, Jingles, Buffet, Cricket, Spotlite shaped our lives irrevocably and will be forever remembered with every pinto or paint picture or art work she left behind. Other treasured animals included Freckles, Sadie, Fudge, Smokey, Callie, Sammy, TopCat, and many others that included childhood wildlife pets, a ferret, and any wild animal that she could get to eat out of her hands.

Karen loved being involved in community activities! She worked with her Mother in the Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Choteau. She also held the title of "Team Gramma" for Chad and Cadyn's basketball teams as she was the loudest voice cheering in the stands. She also loved sewing and crafting, making many cherished memories for her family and friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Shirley Kelly and her older brother, Terry. She is survived by her brothers, Lonnie (Pam) Kelly, Tim (Sheree) Kelly and Rod (Deb) Kelly, her daughters, Deandra (Fred Frontino) Jones and Candi (John McKee) Jones, her grandkids, Chad and Cadyn Brill, numerous loved nieces and nephews, honorary family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025 at 2 pm at Frontier Funeral Home, Choteau, MT with viewing at 1 pm. Interment will follow at Choteau Cemetery, where all are welcome to join.

Friends, family, and anyone who loved Karen can decide if they would like to send flowers or make a donation in her name to honor her love of animals.

● Bright Eyes Animal Shelter (https://brighteyesanimalshelter.org/) in Choteau, MT

● 1 Horse at a Time Draft Horse Rescue (1horseatatime.com) in Corvalis, MT