Bjarne  ”Ben” O  Kjelshus passed away  on Nov. 9, 2018 at his home in Greenwood, Mo. 

Ben was born in Hanska, MN to Benjamin and Ovidia Kjelshus.  He grew up in Hanska and graduated from high school in New Ulm, MN.  He served in the U.S. Army during WW II mainly in Italy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of Minnesota.  He received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Meadville Theology School, University of Chicago.  He served three Unitarian Universalist churches in Webster City, IA, Junction City, KS, and Kent, OH.  He then went to and earned a master’s degree from University of Missouri School of Social work majoring in Community Organization.  He was employed by the city of Kansas City Missouri for 19 years in supervisor positions including supervisor of the Neighborhood Development Division. Ben was active with the civil rights movement for many years.  He participated in the Unitarian Universalist presence in Selma, Alabama following Selma demonstrations.  He was an activist throughout his adult life with various projects from environment to civil rights and food sustainability.  He formed the Food Circle in MO and KC Greens Party with others.

He is survived by his wife, D. Carol Kjelshus, his spouse of 68 years, his children Jon, Karen (Hinkle), and Eric , his grandchildren Letty, JR., Amber, Mikkel, Kristin and Jennifer.  He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Lauren, Brian, Emma, Annie, Wyatt, Lachlan, and Sterling.

A celebration of life service in his honor will take place at 3 pm on Sat. Nov. 17, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut St, KC, MO. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, 689 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139-3302 – www.UUSC.org , All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, Salvation Army, St. Luke’s Hospice in Kansas City, or Harvesters