Michael Ralph Kelsch

Michael Ralph Kelsch of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2023, after an acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure.

Mike was born on October 22, 1948, to Ralph and Beulah Kelsch in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He attended IF and Skyline High School and was the first class to graduate from Skyline High in 1967. He was an active part of the FFA. He went on to study Agriculture at Idaho State University and got his Associate’s Degree in Agronomy in 1970. He joined the United States Army Reserves and was military police until discharge in 1976.

Mike was able to marry the love of his life, Guadalupe Perez, on April 22, 1972, and they started their life together in Idaho Falls. They had four children, Shawn, Mark, Jennifer, and Rebecca. Mike was active in the Knights of Columbus for many years, and was even Grand Knight at one point before work and children were too demanding of his time.

Mike worked for U and I sugar factory to start his work life, but joined Del Monte Inc. in 1974. He worked as a field superintendent at Del Monte for 41 years and retired in 2015. Because of Mike's love of the land and farming, he and Lupe bought a hobby farm in 1983. His 80-acre hobby took up most of his free time growing wheat and potatoes. He was always passionate about agriculture and loved spending his time watching crops grow and seeing what the neighboring farmers were up to. He was an avid coin collector, and spent much of his retirement time looking up coins on the internet and attending coin shows.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Beulah; his sister, Dianne; and many brothers and sisters-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lupe Kelsch; his children, Shawn Kelsch, Mark (Courtney) Kelsch, Jenni (Tom) Ireland, and Becky (Chris) Robinson; his brothers, Brad (Marlene) Kelsch and Alan (Cathy) Kelsch; his grandchildren, Ashley Dille, Halle Kelsch, Emersen Kelsch, Lilli Ireland, Xander Kelsch, Braxton Kelsch, Cece Ireland, Carter Robinson, and Mia Robinson; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

The family requests that flowers and notes be sent to Wood Funeral Home East Side in Ammon, Idaho. Donations can be made to the local Veteran’s group.

There will be a Rosary and viewing Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road in Ammon, Idaho, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Christ the King Church, 1690 East 17th Street, Friday, October 20, 2023, at 11 a.m. There will be a celebration of his life at Valerie Hall around 1 p.m. following interment at Rose Hill Cemetery.