Born and raised between Texas and Iowa, Kelli went to Texas Christian University on an
Army ROTC scholarship graduating in 1997 and serving as a Nurse Corp Officer from 1997-
2005. She has called South Dakota home since 2003 and has lived in Spearfish since 2008. Kelli
has been in the Nursing profession for the last 27+ years. Currently, Kelli is the owner of Tropical
Smoothie Café in Spearfish. which opened in December 2019. However, she also works as a
volunteer at the Good Shepherd Clinic in Spearfish. Kelli enjoys part time work as a nurse with
APPS Paramedical Associates, Lawrence County Sheriffs office, Peak IV Infusion and the Spearfish
School District. Kelli loves the Spearfish community and is actively involved in many community
based activities including Northern Hills SOS as well as supporting other entities and organizations
with various sponsorships with the community through Tropical Smoothie. Her heart of service
and commitment to others has been the most important part of her nursing career and as an active
community member. Kelli loves spending time with friends and family but enjoys raising her family
with significant other, Derek, as well as her three children (Holden, Hudson and Hattie) and bonus
kids (Avery and Emma).
