Colleen "Kelly" M. Kuechenmeister

Colleen “Kelly” M. Kuechenmeister, beloved wife, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and love on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Kelly fought pancreatic cancer like a Warrior.

Kelly was born to James and Henrietta (Spaeth) Campbell on March 20^th 1960 in Chippewa Falls WI. Many people did not know that Kelly’s real name was Colleen. She would tell the story how her dad wanted her name to be Kelly and her mom wanted it to be Colleen, so they compromised. Legally it is Colleen and her nickname is Kelly. That is why her parents were married over 65 years; they learned to compromise.

She graduated from Chippewa Falls Senior High School, class of 1978. She was active in the DECA program. She met and worked with many people in her career starting at Shopko, Heimann Snyder Drug, State Farm Insurance, J.C. Penney and finally retiring from the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. She enjoyed playing sports including, softball, volleyball, racquetball, and golf (getting a hole in one trophy to match her husband’s).   

She loved life and was thankful to God for every day of it. The time she had would not have been possible without all the support from her husband, (who went to every chemotherapy treatment and appointment with her) and her family and friends both in prayers or just thoughts. All who knew her, came to love her.  Thanks to you all.

Despite her health challenges, Kelly found joy in each day.  Her attitude remained positive and she counted her blessings right up to the end. As she weakened, she loved sitting on her porch listening to the birds singing to her, watching her hummingbirds, talking to neighbors while giving their dogs treats, and observing life happening around her. 

She is survived by her loving husband, John “Jack”; stepchildren, Nick, (Mande), Adam (Kristi), Kelly (Travis); grandchildren, Zachary (Jordyn), Christopher (Lauryn), Trent, Lucas, Christian, Tyler, Parker, Nikki, Anna, Emily, Carsen, Olivia, Mitchell, Samuel, Andrew; 4 great-grandchildren, Lane, Finnley, Croix and Hallie; siblings, James (Dilly) Campbell, Jean (Jim) Peterson, Pamela Campbell; brother-in-law, Wayne Johnson; and sister-in-law, Erma Campbell.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, Cole; parents; brother, Michael Campbell; sister, Carrie Johnson; mother and father-in-law, Angeline and John Sr. Kuechenmeister; and many of her fur babies.

A huge thanks of appreciation to Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Marshfield Medical and St. Joseph’s Hospice.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, August 1 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, August 2 at Crossroads Church, 209 South Ave., Chippewa Falls with Rev. Wade Duroe officiating.  Visitation will also begin at 10 a.m. at church on Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Kelly Kuechenmeister to the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. Checks can be mailed to PO Box 153, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.