Trudy Vendala Kelley

2/9/1948 – 10/1/2025
Trudy Kelley ended her battle with breast cancer on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. She passed peacefully in her sleep. Trudy was a member of the Cherokee Nation and was an advocate for the rights of women, children and those with disabilities. Trudy loved to write and had one play presented, “Women United,” hosted by Unity on the Plaza. Trudy enjoyed playing Mother Superior in “Cradle Song,” a play at the Independence Theater after she married Jim in 1986.

Trudy was fourth oldest in a family of ten children of Rilma Largent Biswell and Warren D. Biswell Sr., both deceased. Siblings:  Kathy Liggett (husband David, both still living); Beverly Biswell, still living, Warren Biswell, Jr. still living; George Biswell (wife Anne, both still living); Loyd Biswell (wife Judy, both still living); John Biswell (deceased 2022); Lovinia Biswell, (still living);  Tim Biswell (deceased 2019, wife Linda still living); and infant sister Julia (deceased in 1959).

Trudy was preceded in death by her husband Jim (2023) of 37 1/2 years of marriage; her stepdaughter, Lisa Braatten (2024); her grandson, Tyler Kelley (2023, son of Lisa); her two brothers, Tim (father of Tara, Aaron, Colby and Crystal) and John (father of Theresa and Danny Dean). Her nephew Rusty (2023, son of her sister, Lavonia and Russel Fletcher); her niece, Tara (2023, daughter of Tim and Linda, biological daughter of Joyce ); her sister-in-law, Sharilyn Williams Biswell (2023, ex-wife of John Biswell and mother to 3 children, Michele, Danny and Teresa); her brothers-in-law, Leroy Strutton (2012, father of Troy, Tabitha, Monica, Jacinda, Tammy and Michael); Russel Fletcher (2010, father of Misty and Rusty); the Kelleys (brothers to Linda Kelley Harding and Jean Kelley Evans, still living): John (2004, wife Cindy); Earl (2015); Patrick (2022, husband Eddie Lowrey); Mick Harding (2019, wife Linda Kelley Harding, mother of Scott, Shelson and Sheryl); Trudy’s Uncle Marvin Biswell (2017, brother of Clifford); her sister-in-law Bobbie (2006, ex-wife of Warren Jr., mother of Brian and WD); Trudy’s nephew, WD Biswell (2017, son of Bobbie and Warren Biswell); Trudy’s mother-in-law, Bessie E. Taff Kelley (1999); niece and nephews Tabitha (2003), Michael (1999) and Troy (1982) daughter and sons of Trudy’s sister Beverly and Leroy Strutton).   Last but not least, her beloved ten-year-old Chihuahua, Molly Marie.

Trudy is survived by 6 of her siblings mentioned above (Warren, Kathy, Beverly, George, Loyd and Lovinia); her best friend of 55 years, Judy A. Miller; Trudy’s and Jim’s good friend, Rex Wiley; friend and loving companion at the end, Amy Tallman; her three grandchildren, Megan Sipu Austin (husband Christopher), Joshua Sipu (wife Jose) and Ashley Sipu Fisher (husband Alex); all three children of step-daughter Julie and husband Curtis Sipu, and her step-son Jeff Kelley; five great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, many great-great nieces and nephews. and her Uncle Clifford and Aunt Shirley Biswell.

Trudy attended three elementary schools and one junior high school. Later after graduating from Northeast High School in 1966, she was offered a position by the principal of West Jr High as a teacher’s aide for seventh and eighth grade. West Jr is where Trudy had attended her 10th grade year and where she first met her future husband, Jim.  It was there at West Jr that Trudy was a Girl Scout leader to eleven years olds. One girl, Gloria Boney was in her Girl Scouts troop and later became a friend and a relative. Trudy’s sister, Lovinia was an honorary member of her troop. Trudy attended three high schools and graduated from Northeast High School, Kansas City Missouri in 1966.  Trudy attended Dickinson Business College and later had the opportunity to be assistant to the president of American Agri-Fuels and Girl Friday to a private detective agency.

Trudy married James (Jim) Marion Kelley in 1986. She became stepmother to his three teen children, Jeff, Julie and Lisa. Their mother is Kathy Poe.

Trudy attended Penn Valley Community College in 1996 & 1997 and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in June of 1997. Trudy worked as a learning consultant for ICan, a non-profit agency serving adults with intellectual disabilities part time, then went full time after she graduated from Penn Valley.  In 2001 Trudy accepted a position at Benton Elementary in Independence, Missouri as a para educator for a Kindergarten class taught by her friend Paula Erdel for the school year 2001. While seeking her Associates degree in education and a Bachelor’s degree in education, Trudy raised her grandson, Tyler with her husband, Jim.  Trudy said it was an honor to raise Tyler from 2001 as a four-year-old to 2016. She stated he was easy to raise because of his compassion and empathy towards others.

Trudy was a substitute teacher in the Independence School District while seeking her BA in Education in an accelerated program at Graceland University. Trudy taught at every school from Headstart through high school.  Trudy was often requested to substitute by the principals and/or teachers of those schools. It was while she taught at a middle school that she had the honor of hearing a lecture on the chimpanzee by Jane Goodall, the primatologist and anthropologist and meeting Jane afterwards. Trudy was a great admirer of Ms. Goodall. As it turned out, they died on the same day.

Trudy graduated from Graceland University in 2003 and used her degree to take a position as coordinator at Special Neighbors, a non-profit that served adults with intellectual disabilities. She served ten adults and supervised a staff of 22, encouraging dignity and respect for all.  She worked closely with Jackson County EITAS and the KC Regional Center. She had the honor of submitting one of her staff to receive the staff of the year award from EITAS and her staff, Nola won. Trudy retired in 2014.

Trudy loved to read and her favorite fiction writer was Jane Austen and her favorite non- fiction author was Ken Burns. Trudy loved all genres of music. Her favorite composer/singer was Jon Batise who composes wonderful music from Classical, Jazz, the Blues and Pop.

Trudy did not wish to have a funeral. Her ashes will join her husband’s at the Military Cemetery at Higginsville, Missouri. Trudy’s wish was for her family & friends to gather together, share a meal and remember Trudy’s sense of humor and her love for her family and friends.  Trudy’s philosophy was, “It is better to build bridges of compassion and understanding than walls of sorrow and exclusion.”

Trudy loved America because she said, “It has a beautiful tapestry of cultures, languages and skin tones.”

Trudy was an advocate for human rights, including gay rights.   Trudy said, “When you see a butterfly think of me.  I am free of all pain when I leave you.”

There will be a CELEBRATION OF LIFE for Trudy scheduled at some point in the future, and information will be shared when it’s been decided.