Darlene 'Sam' Kelly

Darlene “Sam” Kelly passed away on Nov. 12, 2020, at Schneidmiller Hospice House following a recent injury.

Sam was an only child born on June 22, 1940, in Los Angeles, to Hans Tofft and Ruth McCray. She grew up in Richmond, Calif., and graduated from DeAnza High School. Shortly after high school she married Chet Anderson, and they had three children. After her divorce from Chet she met and married Robert Sullivan and relocated to Coronado, Calif., with her children.

After Robert’s retirement from the Navy in 1972, they purchased an 18-foot trailer, packed up the kids and the dog in an Oldsmobile, and traveled the West Coast for three months, looking for a place to put down their roots and raise the kids. After driving through Coeur d’Alene, they knew this beautiful town was where they wanted to stay.

Sam always loved working in the service industry as a cocktail waitress and bartender. She was a favorite of the patrons at the Iron Horse, Chelseas and Shermans. Sam always said that her claim to fame was that during her time at the Iron Horse, she and her coworker, Perk, invented the famous “De-railer.” Robert and Sam eventually divorced. She was crazy, adventurous, fun loving and even spent six months bartending at a fishing camp in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, just for the experience.

In 1993, Sam married Earl Kelly and hung up her bartending apron for good. They enjoyed traveling, including China and Ireland, two years in St. Croix while Earl worked as a federal marshal, numerous river rafting trips and several winters with their trailer in Yuma, Ariz. They were proud members of the Elks Lodge, and Sam was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed the events with the ladies. Sadly, Earl passed away in January 2016.

Sam is survived by her son, Steven (Kara) Anderson of Honolulu, Hawaii; daughter, Stacy Carson (Ray Winkelman) of Coeur d’Alene; and daughter, Kristine (Jim) Gray of Coeur d’Alene. She is also survived by Earl’s daughters, Patricia Rhodes, Coleen Ives and Erin DeAtley; grandchildren, Kacy Carson of San Diego; Shae Carson of Pullman, Wash.; and Colton Gray of Liberty Lake, Wash. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Ruth; son-in-law, Daniel Carson and husband, Earl Kelly.

Sam always wanted a party for everyone to get together and have a good time rather than a memorial service after her death. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, that will have to take place on a later date.

Sam and Earl loved their dogs, Picabo and Dipper. In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to their favorite charity, the Kootenai Humane Society.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final arrangements.