Kellie Jean Mrotz

Kellie Jean (Curran) Mrotz, 61, passed away on November 25, 2025, at her home in Ellendale, Minnesota. Kellie was born on November 5th, 1964, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Richard and Arlene (Koppit) Curran. She lived in Omaha and West St. Paul, before moving to Burnsville, Minnesota, in 1976. She graduated from Burnsville High School in 1982, and began taking courses at the University of Minnesota, graduating with an Art History degree in 1990. As a student she would spend afternoons working at Cecil's Deli in the City Center, and her nights dancing under the lights at First Avenue. Kellie met Victor during this time, with their first date being on July 13th, 1990.

On May 29th, 1993, Kellie married the love of her life Victor Mrotz, forming a dynamic couple that were loved by all they came in contact with. They lived in Minneapolis for a time in a small house on Drew Ave. As a new bride, Kellie spent her days working part time at Sterling Drug, walking distance from their house on Drew Ave. This is where Kellie became a dog mom to her first dog, Waldo. Kellie and Waldo enjoyed their daily walks around Lake Harriet, with fellow walkers often stopping them to inquire about Waldo who would stand proudly as Ms. Kellie visited with them. Waldo knew that he was but the excuse to talk to his beautiful owner. In 1997, they sold the small house and moved back to Ellendale, Victor's hometown, where she indulged Victor in his dream to farm and raise cattle. Together, they raised two children: Hudson and Sophia. Kellie often said being a mother was the most important job she ever had.

She worked at Steve's Meat Market before Hudson was born, and in 2001, Victor and Kellie purchased the Hope Creamery to begin building their butter empire. Together, they sold millions of pounds to people around the world. She crowned herself as 'The Baroness of Butter'. Kellie attended the First Lutheran Church in Ellendale regularly, teaching Sunday School, serving on the board, directing Christmas programs, and doing the Lord's Work every chance she could. A lover of the holidays and music, she had a large collection of Christmas CDs of all kinds, and they were played almost exclusively in the house from her birthday on November 5th, until the first of the year.

Kellie was an outgoing and bright woman with stylish wit, who was very proud of her family and the life they built. She was confident in herself and used that gift to uplift all who were around her. She enjoyed supporting her children, family, friends, and anyone in need. Kellie loved caring for her dogs and cattle, frolicking around the house to her record collection, chatting with friends and strangers alike over food and drinks, dancing to all kinds of music with her husband, and following Jack Knife and The Sharps, a local rockabilly band from Minneapolis.

Kellie was preceded in death by her father, Richard Curran and grandparents, Raymond and Dorothy Koppit and Dick and Vivianne Curran; uncle, Jay Zawodny; step-father, Louis Berney; father-in-law, Dale Mrotz; and beloved dogs, Waldo, Elvis, and Costello.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Victor; children, Hudson and Sophia; mother, Arlene Curran; brother, Christian Curran; aunt, LaRae Zawodny; mother in-law, Barbara Mrotz; in-laws: Monty and Toni Mrotz, Lisa Mrotz, Daniel and Melba Mrotz, Lucille Lorraine, and Joe Knudten; grandchild, Luna Boettcher; her ranch dog, Maximus; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna, MN, from 4-7PM. A memorial service will be held on December 3, 2025, at First Lutheran Church, Ellendale, MN, at 11 AM with a one-hour visitation before the service. She will be laid to rest at the First Lutheran Cemetery outside of Ellendale.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate in Kellie's honor to your favorite church and/or your charity of choice.