Obituary of Arley Wayne Kelts

ARLEY WAYNE KELTS

December 5, 1933 – December 28, 2023

Arley Wayne Kelts was born on December 5, 1933, in Consort, Alberta to parents Marion and Ethel Kelts.  Arley passed suddenly on December 28, 2023, at the Consort Seniors Lodge in Consort, Alberta, after several wonderful days with his family. 

Arley married Rosemary (Vetter) on April 11, 1952.  Shortly after, they bought the Brown farm north of Loyalist.  They had two children, Brian (1956) and Bruce (1963).  Arley and Rosemary had so many happy years together camping, fishing and travelling.  Their early married years were spent building their family farm they were so proud of.  Arley loved working the land alongside his sons, and actually enjoyed cattle!  He took pride in a nice-looking herd.  Arley and Rosemary built her dream house and moved to Consort in 1990.  Devastatingly, cancer struck shortly after, and Rosemary passed away in 1995.  Arley filled his time at the farm, with the cattle and golfing.  He eventually met Avonne Kennerd, and they were married in 2004.  They spent 10 happy years together before cancer also took Avonne in 2014.  Arley moved to the lodge in 2017 and remained until his passing.  Arley took great enjoyment in teasing, joking and being grumpy with the staff and homecare ladies. Many of them were very dear to him.  

As a young man, Arley was very athletic and was an avid baseball and hockey player.  He continued playing hockey later in life too as a Consort Old Timer.  Arley enjoyed a good game of golf in his “retirement” years as well as camping, fishing and visiting with good friends.  Arley was a gifted mechanic and carpenter.  He could fix pretty much everything much to the delight of his daughters-in-law! As the grandkids and great grandkids started showing up, he took pleasure in watching their activities and of course teasing. 

Arley is survived by:

Son, Brian Kelts, wife Susan, and their family; daughter Ashley (Oren), Braiden, Cassidy & Virgil; daughter Breanne (Garrett), Sadie, Wyatt, RJ & Colter; and son Coleman (Kate).

Son, Bruce Kelts, wife Corinne, and their family; daughter Whitney (Steven), Logan, Maddox, Bryer & Quade; son Rory (Kaylee) Lennyn.

Avonne’s children: TJ Kennerd, Rick Kennerd, Treena Fitton and their families; Avonne’s sister Fran; brother Terry and families.

Sisters, Muriel Isaman, Eileen Hobbs and Lorna (Gil) Roth and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Arley was predeceased by his wife Rosemary, his wife Avonne, daughter-in-law Deborah (Weaver) Kelts; Parents Marion and Ethel Kelts; sister Viola Schooler and brother-in-law Loyal Schooler; brother Donald and sister-in-law Helen (Dot) Kelts; sister Jean and brother-in-law Ted Deagle; brother Preston (Bud) Kelts and sister-in-law Irene (Kurek) Kelts; brothers-in-law Bob Hobbs and Lester Isaman.

As per Arley’s wishes, there will be no funeral.  A private family service will be held later in the spring. 

Memorial Donations can be made to the Consort & District Seniors (Gem Center) c/o Box 618, Consort, AB T0C 1B0.