Luella Kelwin

Luella Kelwin passed away May 16, 2016 with her family by her side.

Luella was born on Feb. 22, 1922 to Clarance and Valla Piland in St. John, Kansas. She was the oldest daughter of 8 brothers and sisters. Luella lived in Kansas until 1946 when she moved to California. Luella had been married to Elmer Heyen but they had divorced. Luella and Elmer had daughter Judy in 1942.

Luella raised Judy while working different jobs. She graduated from Cosmetology classes and on her graduation night she happened to meet the love of her life Paul Kelwin. They had a very fast courtship and married in Nov. of 1947. They were married for 63 wonderful years and traveled the world together. They lived in California until 2002 when they moved to Idaho to follow their granddaughter Lisa and her family. Luella's daughter Judy also moved to Idaho in 2005 after the death of her husband, so now the family was together again.

Luella's husband Paul passed away in 2010.

In her younger years, Luella worked for many years at Gladding McBean Co. as a painter of dishware. She is best known for painting Franciscan's "Apple" and "Desert Rose" patterns.

Luella was a painter, specializing in Chinese brush paintings. Her home was full of her artwork. She had worked for 20 years as an administrative manager at Verdugo Hills Hospital in California. Luella and Paul were also very involved in their association at Leisure Village in Camarillo, California. They both enjoyed their quieter life in Idaho.

Luella's favorite charities were the Idaho Food bank and the USO.

Luella leaves behind her daughter Judy Stuessel, granddaughter Lisa Buseth, and great-grandchildren Erica Buseth and Gus Buseth.