Kelly M. "Elbert" Bishop

A funeral Mass for Kelly (Elbert) Bishop, 45, of Chicago, IL, formerly of Whittemore will be held Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Divine Mercy Parish ~ St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whittemore. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Divine Mercy Parish ~ St. Michael's Catholic Church in Whttemore.

It's tough to write this about our daughter and sister; putting into words a full life that was shortly lived, and a loss felt by so many…

Kelly was called home on September 2, 2025. The Daughter of Dan and Maureen (Donovan) Elbert, of Whittemore. Kelly was born on March 3, 1980 and was their second child. She joined her older sister, Danielle, and would end up being the proud older sister to Edmund, Garrett, and Patrick. Five Siblings and Five Best Friends for Life!

Kelly attended both St. Michael's and Elizabeth Ann Seton School's and then graduated from Bishop Garrigan High School in 1998. She attended Loras College for one year and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2002, earning her degree in Political Science. Kelly never met a debate that she did not win!!

Most of Kelly's adult life was spent in Chicago, the city that she loved, along with Whittemore! Kelly was always available for you to visit her, to show you around, share the history of the city, and to share her favorite places with you. You could not leave until you admitted you loved Chicago too! Kelly's connections in the Chicago area also spread to other major cities due to her career in Advertising. She loved to jet set for fun, but she was also busy connecting with major clients in different parts of the United States. To know Kelly was to love Kelly!! She truly has connections everywhere and is deeply missed by everyone she met, both personally and professionally.

Kelly had so many passions ~

She loved her nephews and nieces beyond words. Becoming Kashtyn's Godmother was one of her proudest moments. She had a love and a bond with him that was like no other. When you would see Kelly, she was always ready to share something new about Kashtyn or Caleb, their latest sports activities and newest awards. Kelly shared her fashion advice with Lauren and was always excited to share in her latest princess attire find or makeup trend. Silver was Kelly's soul, and every new learning brought her such joy! Oh, and there were pictures! Lots of pictures!! She was always ready to share something special about these four!! Kelly was a very proud Aunt! And they knew she loved them very much!

She loved her dog, Clark. He was her everything! Kelly loved being a Dog Mom! Clark brought her immense joy. They took many walks together and explored the city quite regularly. They volunteered together and gave back in the Dog Community. He knew how to cuddle and did not object (too much) when she brought out his festive attire …She was proud to have Clark as the Mascot for Merkle's Bar & Grill. Russell will have Clark's spunk keep her spirit alive, there, for years to come.

Additionally, Kelly loved Football! Football meant Fall! The Iowa Hawkeyes and The Chicago Bears! Did anyone cheer louder than Kelly?! The Elbert Fantasy Football League lost a fiery opponent! Oh, how she loved her cousins!! All her cousins, near and far, immediate and distant, family was family!! She loved all things holiday related and everything festive! She loved decorating for Christmas early and taking in all the magic of the season! She loved all the traditions! She loved St Patrick's Day and our Irish Heritage! She loved her country and had a true passion for everything she stood for! That was our Kelly!

Rationalizing this loss, Kelly leaving us sooner than our hearts can understand, I (Danielle) am reflecting on Kelly's Favorite Movie ~ Field of Dreams… When God called Kelly home, early on that Tuesday Morning, he was calling her to find her Own Field of Dreams! And as she walked out of that big cornfield in the sky to her next journey of this life, Kelly was met by all of those that she has missed so much. The outpouring of love was one that cannot be described! May Kelly now rest in the true peace of eternal life! She has been our world, and we will love her until we take our last breaths!

Kelly is survived by her parents, Dan and Maureen Elbert of Whittemore, IA; her four siblings and four nieces and nephews, Danielle (Steve) Shepard of Fishers, IN, Edmund Elbert of Scottsdale, AZ, Garrett (Amber) Elbert of Humboldt, IA and their children Caleb and Lauren; and Patrick (Kizzie) Elbert, of Waukee, IA and their children Kashtyn and Silver. She is also survived by her aunts and uncles – Mick and Patty Elbert, Mary Kay Donovan, Patsy Donovan; and many cousins and extended family members

Kelly is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Eddie and Mary Elbert; maternal grandparents, Edwin and Loretta Donovan. Uncles – Pat Donovan, Chuck Bell, Ron Meyer; Aunts – Nancy Donovan, Eileen Bell, and Ellen Meyer. Cousin, Josh Meyer.