Kelly Kolenda

Kelly Jo Kolenda, age 24, died March 1, 2012 from injuries sustained in a car accident near Cameron Wisconsin. She passed away with many of her family and friends by her side, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Kelly was born September 21, 1987 in Rice Lake to Craig and Michelle Kolenda of Chetek. Her current employment was at Core Products, however her true love and passion was for children. Kelly worked 3 years in Early Childhood Education and 1 year as a nanny in Hot Sulfur Springs, Colorado.

She was very determined and had strong goals in serving Jehovah God and having a family of her own. Kelly’s vivacious personality lit up and radiated through any room. Her big smile and laughing eyes were infectiously contagious. She was spontaneous and always willing to try new things. She readily made friends wherever she went. She was a capable woman who loved being treated like a lady. Nothing gave more proof to this than her ability to wear cowboy boots as well as 4 inch heels, or carry a hunting rifle as comfortably as her Miche` purse. Kelly had a strong affection to animals and hers were very dear to her: 2 cats, several dogs, and horse-Skeeter. Kelly had diverse interests: racing 4-wheelers with her brother, dog sledding through the frosted woods with her dad, horseback riding on a warm spring day with her mom, crafting and making things “Bling” with her sister, going to movies and shopping at the mall with her aunt Shandra, rough housing with her cousins, getting dirty and smelly on the cattle ranch with her uncle Zenith, and skiing the sunny mountain slopes of Colorado. Kelly had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing and dancing with friends. Aunt Katie introduced her to the love of traveling and Kelly could never get enough. The beauty of the setting sun against the Pacific Ocean took her breath away.

She rests in Jehovah God’s memory and will be deeply missed.

Kelly is survived by her parents: Craig and Michelle Kolenda; brother: Matthew Kolenda; sister: Hannah Kolenda all of Chetek; paternal grandfather: Dennis Kolenda of Ladysmith; maternal grandparents: Bill and Lyanne Nolin of Muskego; maternal grandfather: John Taft of Chetek; aunt: Shandra Kolenda of Bloomer; uncles: Zenith (Katie) Whiting and Isaac Whiting of Chetek; cousins: Zeke and West Whiting of Chetek; and a host of family and friends from Wisconsin to California.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother: Betty Kolenda.

A Memorial Talk will be held March 10, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New Auburn (HWY SS south to HWY Q, 1 ½ miles on right). Lunch to follow at the Chetek/Weyerhaeuser High School located on Knapp St. in Chetek. These are both open to the public; all friends and family are welcome to attend.