Kathleen Mary Donnelly

Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Mary Donnelly, 90, of Ellsworth, WI passed away peacefully on September 3, 2025 surrounded by her family.

Kathy was born May 8, 1935, to Raymond and Ellen Langer in Ellsworth, WI where she lived until age 7 when her family moved to Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the Academy of Holy Angels High School in 1953. Following graduation, she enrolled in the nurses training program at St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis and worked in a doctor’s office until her marriage. After starting their family, she continued pursuing her nursing degree and enrolled In the Red Wing School of Practical Nursing. She graduated in 1966 and subsequently worked as an LPN at the Ellsworth Care Center for many years.

In 1956 she married Robert ‘Bob’ Donnelly in Minneapolis, MN. They settled in Ellsworth, WI where they raised a family of six children. Kathy and Bob were married for 60 years until his passing in 2017.

Kathy was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family came first and was above all else, a value she instilled in those around her. The void left by her absence will be impossible to fill. She had strong faith and volunteered in many capacities at St. Francis Catholic Church over her life.

Kathy is survived by her children Dan (Denise) Donnelly, Timothy (Lori) Donnelly, Karen (Ron) Webster, Scott (Linda) Donnelly, and Rick (Tacy) Donnelly, along with 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister Paulette (David) Orf, and brother Robert (Alicia) Langer.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Bob, and daughter Cindy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at St. Francis Catholic Church: 231 W Woodworth St. Ellsworth, WI 54011. Visitation will be at the church 1 hour before the mass. Kathleen will be laid to rest in St. Francis Cemetery in Ellsworth. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to the St. Francis Cemetery Fund.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ellsworth. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-273-4421.