Taylor D. Kelly

TAYLOR DAWN KELLY was born on August 15, 1992 to Shalako Kelly and Christina Fraiser in Watertown, South Dakota. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and attended school. Taylor was an extraordinary person. As a child she wanted to be challenged, she wanted to be smarter than the next person, playful, but be dominating at the same time. She was funny and loved to make people laugh. She loved to help everyone that she could. Her entire life, she wanted to just help people – to be their friend and “go to” person when in need. Taylor had many struggles in life, but somehow through her darkest times in life she always managed to love like no other, to help everyone she could, to live a life not necessarily for herself, but for others. Taylor had many dark days, but the one thing she never lost was the love she had for her family and others. Few people had the ability to love others like Taylor was able.

Taylor loved her Dad. Though they had their ups and downs just like any other parent and daughter, she always knew her Dad was there for her. She knew that their bond could never be broken. In 2004, Maria became a part of their family and step-mom to Taylor. Though this brought many new dynamics into her life, Taylor learned that just because a woman isn’t of the same blood, it does not prevent a love as if you were born of her. She grew to love this part that she was missing and appreciated the guidance from her step-mom. Taylor also very much loved her siblings, Christa, Lucas and Levi. They were her world even when she couldn’t be with them and she loved them unconditionally.

In 2014 Taylor moved to Texas. When Taylor found out she was having her first baby Leo, it was the longest 9 months of her life. She couldn’t wait to bring that little man into her life. Words cannot express how she felt about him. In 2019, Taylor moved to Luverne, Minnesota, to be closer to family. During this time she found out she would be blessed with a baby girl, little Penelope. Her family was all able to share in the joy of Nelly coming into this world. Taylor’s two beautiful children and their lives have touched many in her family. The love that flows through them will forever be a gift from their mother. Taylor gave every part of her being to her children – providing for them, making sure they were happy, letting them know they were loved and cared for.

Taylor passed away on Monday, June 15, 2020 at her home at the age of 27 years and 10 months.

Taylor’s beautiful spirit will continue through the lives of her two children, Leonidas and Penelope Salinas of Luverne; father, Shalako (Maria) Kelly of Luverne; mother, Christina (Chad) Ohman of Watertown; siblings, Christa (Nathan) Jaacks of Chester, South Dakota, and Lucas and Levi Kelly of Luverne; grandparents, Dell and Dannelle Kelly of Sioux Falls, Stella and Larry Kurek of Harrison, Michigan, Daryl and Sheila Hollenbeck of Lester, Iowa and Steve and Betty Klein of Emmons, Minnesota; aunts, uncles and friends. Taylor will be missed and her memories will be cherished by many.