Lena Kelsch, 98, Richardton, died Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Richardton Health Center, Richardton. Lena’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, March 9, 2017 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, south of Richardton, with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Stephen Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary being said at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Lena Thomas was born August 6, 1918 on the family farm in Hettinger County, the daughter of Joseph and Suzanna (Jordan) Thomas. She was raised and educated in Hettinger County having attended country schools.

Lena was united in marriage to Peter J. Kelsch on October 19, 1936 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Hettinger County. They farmed south of Richardton until Pete’s health forced him to stop farming. She went to work as a cook at the Richardton Public Schools for the next 15 years. Her husband Pete died on October 20, 1998.

She belonged to the women’s auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary and a homemakers club. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and gardening, but her greatest joy came from spending time and visiting with family and friends.

Lena is survived by three children, Dennis Kelsch and Darlene Kelsch, both of Lefor, and Dale Kelsch, Grand Forks; grandsons, Scott and Peter Kelsch; sister, Mary Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn.; brother-in-law, Don Marx, Bismarck; and sister-in-law, Eleanor Summers, Dickinson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; son, Donavon; daughter-in-law and grandson, Pamela and Tyler Kelsch; daughter-in-law, Barbara Kelsch; granddaughters, Kristin Kelsch; and siblings, Fred Thomas, Joe Thomas, John Harle, Pete Thomas, Rose Mayer, Ann Schank, Kathy Messer, and Ellie Marx.