William 'Bill' S. Kaley

Memorial services for Bill Kaley, of Alexandria, formerly of Chokio, Minnesota, will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio, with Father Joe Vandeberg celebrating the Mass.  A visitation will be on Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.  Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Chokio. 

William Sirr Kaley was born on March 1, 1930, in Morris, Minnesota, to William H. and Myrtle (Sirr) Kaley.  He was raised on the family farm near Chokio, and attended District 57 Country School, and then Chokio High School, graduating with the class of 1947.  While at a local dance, Bill met Lenore ‘Ole’ Wade, and their courtship started.  After high school, Bill worked for about a year on the Great Lakes in an Ore Ship, saving money for an upcoming wedding, but longing to be home with Ole.  He returned to Chokio, and the two were married on October 23, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  They made their home on a farm near Chokio, and began their family, welcoming five daughters.  Bill’s dream was to farm, which he did until successfully retiring from the farm at the age of 62.  They remained on the farm site until 2005 when they moved into Chokio, and then in 2020, they moved to Alexandria to be closer to family. 

Bill was a life-long member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chokio.  He and Ole wintered in Florida for 25 years, where many, new, long-lasting friendships were made.  Bill often said that the winters spent in Florida were some of the best years of their lives. He enjoyed participating in men’s bowling and golf leagues as well as playing cards.  He was known to be quite competitive and is remembered as saying ‘If you’re not playing to win, then why would you play?’  For many years, they enjoyed annual road trips to visit family and often hosted their friends and family for vacations and holidays in Florida.  Most of all, Bill lived to take care of his wife and family, especially Ole during the last years of her life.  Family was of utmost importance and he was so proud of each of his daughters and grandchildren.

Bill died peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Grand Arbor in Alexandria, Minnesota; he was 93 years old.

He is survived by his daughters: Ann (Bob) Benson of Stillwater, Sandy (Dave Robley) Tubbs of Alexandria, Rose Kaley of Fort Meyers, FL, Barbara (Joe Staebler) Kaley of Winthrop, WA, and Mary (Tom) Bjornsen of Winthrop, WA; 5 grandchildren: Lyndsay Tubbs of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Tyler (Christin) Tubbs of Arvada, CO, Kaley (Tyler) Johnsen of Winthrop, WA, Sadie (Jo) Maubet of Anchorage, AK, and Erik (Marine) Bjornsen of Winthrop, WA; 6 great-grandchildren: Sawyer and Cayson Tubbs, Carter and Brody Johnsen; Emil Maubet, Lena Bjornsen, and brothers-in-law: Bob Wade of Glenwood and Ray Keeler of Chokio; and sister-in-law, Pat Quackenbush of Morris.  He is preceded in death by his wife Ole in 2022; siblings: Marion Sorenson and Kathy Keeler.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of Douglas County, St. Mary’s Cemetery Fund, or the charity of your choice.