Obituary

Wilma Kelln, aged 90, was born on June 20, 1933, in Platte, South Dakota, to parents Cornelius and Tillie Vruegdenhil. She peacefully passed away in Bellingham, Washington, on July 15, 2023.

In 1937, the family relocated to Lynden, WA, where Wilma attended schools in the Lynden area. It was there that she met the love of her life, Allen Kelln, and they exchanged vows on October 5th, 1951.

Together, Wilma and Allen made their home in Bellingham, where they lovingly raised their three sons, instilling in them the values and qualities that shaped them into the men they became. In their early years, the couple worked diligently to provide for their family, with Wilma taking on night shifts at the cannery while the boys were young. Additionally, they worked side by side, cleaning the Park Manor Laundromat after hours. Wilma later became the first cashier at Bellingham Parkade before dedicating many years to State Street Laundry until her retirement.

Wilma cherished spending time with her family during camping trips and outings and was a devoted and loving Grandma to her seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. As a person of faith, she was a charter member of the Bellingham Christian Reformed Church, now known as Hope in Christ Church.

Wilma was preceded in death by her beloved husband Allen in 1999, and her son Richard in 2012, as well as her sisters Jesse DeVries and Katherine Matter, and brothers John and Jake Vreugdenhill.

She is survived by her sons Kenneth (Nancy) Kelln and Bradley (Velva) Kelln of Bellingham, and her Daughter-in-Law Linda Kelln of Seattle. Her legacy lives on through her cherished grandchildren: Nicole (Taylor) Heininger of Manhattan Beach, CA; Sarah (Clark) Munger of Tulsa, OK; Ryan Kelln of Pasadena, CA; Kyle (Olga) Kelln of Mt. Vernon; Kristin (Christopher) Austin of Bellingham; Wesley (Anna) Kelln of Nooksack; and Bridgette (Steven) Gunderson of Sedro Woolley, along with her 12 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Whatcom Hospice or a Suicide Prevention Charity of your choice.

A graveside service will be held at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, WA on Monday, July, 24, 2023 at 1:00PM. A reception will be held immediately following at Moles Farewell Tributes – Bayview Chapel.