Connie E. Kelley, age 92, longtime resident of Wyoming and Cody, died Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at West Park Long Term Care Center from natural causes.

She was born December 3, 1919 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, CO. to Harold McKinley Condit and Helen Rawles Martin. As a result of her parent's separation, she lived with her mother and grandfather E. G. Martin in Greybull, Wy. Connie attended school in Greybull as well as St. Joseph's Academy in Galesburg, Ill. and one year at Wapiti, Wy. grade school. She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1937. After high school, she attended and graduated from Barnes School of Commerce in Denver, Co. in 1939.

As soon as school was out, her Aunt Chella Hall would go over the mountain to Sheridan to pick Connie up for annual summer adventures at the family's Circle H Ranch in Wapiti, Wy. Connie grew to love the land, mountains, and western way of life on the ranch. She was quite an accomplished horsewoman and could throw a diamond hitch on her favorite pack horses by the time she was 12. Her superior horsemanship allowed her to accompany her Uncle, Budd Hall, to blaze and clear new trails for the Forest Service in the remote, rugged areas of the Shoshone National Forest.

In July 1942, Connie was the first woman from Wyoming to join the original group of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, later named the Women's Army Corps. She was trained at Ft. Des Moines, IA by calvary officers. She was in the motor pool then Officer's Candidate School. She was assigned to recruiting duty in Oklahoma and traveled extensively recruiting men and women. After 2 1/ 2 years recruiting, she was sent to Ft. Sill, Ok., Service Command - Judge Advocate Office. She served in the Women's Army Corps until February 1946 and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. Her military service to her country was a true source of pride to Connie. Her military uniform is on display at the Veteran's Administration in Casper, Wy. She was a member of the Women in Military Service for America and contributed to the Women's Military Memorial in Washington, D.C.

After her military service, she married Clayton Ashcraft Jr. They lived in Middletown, Ohio along with their daughter, Cynthia. Connie sold real estate for 8 years, and was selected as top salesman several years. After her husband passed away, she and her daughter returned to Wyoming.

She married Leo F. Kelley in 1968. They owned and operated Blackwater Lodge on the Northfork River in the Shoshone National Forest for 9 years. They also owned Kelley's Liquors and the Tic Toc Lounge in Cody. They enjoyed an active retirement by traveling, playing golf and wintering in Hemet, CA until Leo passed away in 1985. In later years, Connie enjoyed playing her organ. Her Grandmother, Ella Rawles Martin, sang opera professionally and instilled in Connie a love of music - especially jazz. She also enjoyed playing bridge, poker and working crossword puzzles.

She is survived by stepson Timothy Kelley of Gillette, WY, grandson Christopher Arnett of Middletown, OH, 2 great granddaughters of Middletown, OH, and special friends Dona Copeland, Brenda Bangert and Bev Shaw of Cody who were friends of her daughter, Cynthia, and helped fill the void in her life after the loss of her daughter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and beloved daughter Cynthia.

Private memorial service arrangements are planned for a future date.

Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice in Connie's memory.

Ballard Funeral Home, Cody, Wyoming.