Kelli Kolsrud

Kelli Kolsrud was born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on July 14, 1959, to Charles and Danelda (Yohe) Kolsrud. Kelli spent her youth in Iowa, primarily in Ackley. She was an excellent student who enjoyed cheerleading, choir, and acting in plays and musicals. She graduated from Ackley Geneva High School in 1977. She took her love of the French language with her to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls where she majored in French and had the opportunity study abroad in France and Norway. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1981, and returned to school to earn her master’s degree in library science from the University of Iowa in Iowa City in 1984.

Kelli worked for four years as a librarian at Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. There she learned all about paper-making and met her life-long best friend, Kay. In 1989, she and Kay moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to pursue other opportunities. Kelli was hired as a librarian/information specialist by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In this role she answered questions from members about all aspects of employee benefits, and quickly became an expert. Over the course of many years and multiple promotions, Kelli came to oversee various organizational areas including the library, magazine and book editing and publishing, and survey and research work. She served as cohost of the Foundation’s podcast Talking Benefits. Kelli retired from the International Foundation in 2020, after 31 years of service.

Kelli was a proud and active member of Chapters AS and DT of the P.E.O. sisterhood in Wisconsin, volunteering her service at both the state and local chapter level.

Kelli first fought aggressive breast cancer in 2001; the cancer went into remission for 20 years before returning in 2020. After a prolonged fight marked by courage, grace and positivity, Kelli passed away on September 19, 2024, surrounded by her mother, brother and best friends. She is survived by her mother Danelda Kolsrud, brother Kyle (Mary) Kolsrud, nephew Erik (Meghan) Kolsrud, and niece Catherine Kolsrud, all of Tucson, Arizona; best friends Kay Schwieger of New Berlin, Wisconsin and Julie Stich, also of New Berlin; and numerous friends and extended family members. She is preceded in death by her father, Charles Kolsrud, and her grandparents.

Kelli exemplified love – for her family, her friends (whom she also considered family), her P.E.O. sisters, and for life. She embraced her Norwegian heritage, and she loved to read, travel, and meet people. She was an avid fan of Jane Austen, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Impressionist art, and the theater. She was an attentive listener, always wanting to learn more about the people she met. She was a shining light whose smile, laugh and kindness made better the lives of all those she touched.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. A Memorial Service to follow at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.

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