Jeanine (Mollen) Kelso

Jeanine Cecille (Mollen) Kelso, 64 of Mackinaw City passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday morning, June 4th, the day after her 44th Wedding Anniversary. She was born in Cheboygan on May 29,1947 , as a twin, to Leo & Blanche (Love) Mollen. She grew up in Riggsville and Cheboygan and graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1965. After high school, she worked for Downing\'s Lounge in Mackinaw City where her future husband saw her and had a friend arrange a blind date. She married Donald Lewis Kelso on June 3,1967 in Cheboygan. She and her husband lived in Coldwater and Ludington before settling in Mackinaw City, where she resided for the rest of her life and raised her family, of which she was very proud. One of Jeanine\'s favorite childhood memories of growing up on the Cheboygan River is of jumping off the 3rd deck of the Shamrock, a boat that was docked behind Kroger\'s Grocery Store. Only a few girls ever jumped from that high, and she was proud to be one of them. She was a good swimmer and diver, and always a very good sport. Jeanine was passionate about the game of softball, was a little league coach when her children were young, and also played Women\'s Slow-Pitch Softball for many years, being one of the oldest players in the league in her later years. She proudly hosted a family softball game with her kids and grandkids the past few summers. She enjoyed bowling and was a member of the craziest bowling team in northern Michigan, calling themselves the "Bowling Bags." She also enjoyed cross-country skiing at Wilderness State Park with one her best friends, Gloria Goodenow, and enjoyed deer hunting at Waugoshance Point with her husband, sons, and grandchildren. She loved boating in Mullett and and Burt Lakes with her daughter and grandchildren, and gardening, and was especially proud of her lilac trees, which whe lovingly shared by replanting shoots for many family members. Jeanine also had many fond memories of her 17 years working at the Fort Restaurant in Mackinaw City, where she met many extraordinary people that became life-long friends. She loved to share funny memories of relatives and friends who worked there with her throughout the years. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Donald Kelso of Mackinaw City, her four children, Martin Kelso of Mackinaw City, Lynne (Gary) Lesky of Harbor Springs, Lisa Kelso (Shilo Roberts) of Indian River, and Donald Kelso, Jr. of Missouri; her six grandchidren who meant the world to her, Emily and Annie Lesky, and Trent, Chelsey, Gage, and Asher Kelso; her Step-Grandsons Matthew (Cheryl) Lesky and Michael Lesky and their families; her six siblings, Martin Mollen, Janet (Joe) Hebert, Pattie (Dave) Gabis, Tim (Ruth) Mollen, her twin sister Jackie (Ron) Aldrich, Bill (Shirley) Mollen, and Brother-in-Law Dale Spray; Her brother and sisters-in-law, Rick (Melanie) Kelso, Bernie (Linda) Kelso, Lucy Marsh, and Cathy (Louie) Steffani; many nieces and nephews who were dear to her heart; and her loyal dog, Molly. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Joanne Mollen Spray, a brother John Mollen, sister-in-law Jacqueline Mollen, mother and father-in-law, Frances and Lewis Kelso, and a brother-in-law Ray Marsh. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11th at St. Anthony\'s Catholic Church in Mackinaw City. Funeral services will take place at 12 Noon with Father Francis Partridge officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. Anthony\'s Family Life Center. Jeanine\'s ashes will be buried at a future date at Lakeview Cemetery in Mackinaw City. Memorial contributations can be made in Jeanine\'s name to the Mackinac Straits Hospital Oncology Department, with envelopes available at the funeral service. Dodson Funeral Home of St. Ignace assisted the family with arrangements. You may leave condolences for Jeanine and her family at www.dodsonfh.com

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Jeanine (Mollen) Kelso

June 4, 2011