On June 25, 2021, Nelda Marie Resley, passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Main Street Manor of Russell. She was 95 years old. Nelda loved her family, many pets and living in her small town.
Nelda was born on November 23, 1925, in El Dorado, Kansas, the daughter of Forrest W. and Frances M. (Pritell) Leathers. She grew up in the El Dorado, Kansas, area until she was 12 moving to Oklahoma City, then to on to Russell, Kansas, where she was raised by her mother and aunt. She graduated from Russell High School Class of 1943, and after high school she attended Barton County Community College. She met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Ralph William Resley on April 26, 1947, in Russell. From this union Nelda and Ralph were blessed with two children Roger and Linda.
She worked for the Home State Bank then Russell State Bank working as a bookkeeper and teller. Later she worked for the United Service Insurance Agency as an administrative assistant until she retired in 1972. She was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church. She was also a member of the Elks Lodge, V.F.W. Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary, and the Russell Senior Center. She enjoyed sewing being a skilled seamstress, collecting sewing machines, bowling, and watching Kansas City Royals baseball. Most of all she was passionate about being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker and spending time with her large family. She and her husband Ralph worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for her children.
Surviving family include her son Roger Resley and wife Betty of Olathe, KS and daughter Linda Scott and husband Steven of Johnston, IA; Seven (7) grandchildren Susie, Sarah, Stacey, Nicole, Michelle (Shawnee & Olathe, KS), Jamie ( San Anselmo, CA) and Tyler (Des Moines, IA); sixteen (16) great grandchildren Sophia, Anthony, Sylvia, Savannah, Sydney, Ayden, Austin, Shaylee, Bodee, Briggs, Hannah, Carson, Emsley, Merryn, Malynn, and Brecklynn.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Ralph on March 30, 2015.
Celebration of Nelda’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the First Congregational Church of Russell. Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Established Memorials are First Congregational Church and Human Society, Hays, KS. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.