Andrea S. Kelling

Andrea “Andi” Kelling, age 78, of Middleton, peacefully passed away at home on Saturday, November 30, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on December 3, 1945, in Antigo, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wyman and Priscilla (Georgson) Suits.

Andrea attended Madison West High School and went on to obtain a degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin. While at the UW, Andrea met the love of her life, Keith Kelling. A member of Bethel Lutheran Church since 1959, Keith and Andrea were married at Bethel on June 15, 1968. Andrea joined Keith in Panama City while he was stationed in Panama for the Army. Especially early in their marriage, Andrea was the family CEO as Keith was starting his Extension and research career at UW-Madison. They welcomed two children: Kari Engelke in 1976 and Kurt Kelling in 1982.

Andrea devoted her career to serving others as she worked for the Red Cross as a social worker and Middleton High School as a library assistant. She was a dedicated wife and mother and was always cheering in the stands for the kids’ sports events and other important milestones. Most recently, Andrea enjoyed cheering on granddaughter Zoe at her hockey and lacrosse games.

Andrea enjoyed spending time at their Rhinelander cottage with family and friends and treasured her boat rides and time fishing with Keith. She and Keith enjoyed traveling and visiting over 350 sites run by the National Park Service including all of the named National Parks in the continental U.S. She had a passion for growing African violets and nurtured a collection of over 130 plants. She was an active member of the Sundowners African Violet Club. Andrea was an avid Badger Sports fan and loved attending UW football, basketball, and men’s and women’s hockey games.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Kelling; children Kari (Reed) Engelke and Kurt (Christine) Kelling; granddaughter, Zoe Engelke; and cousin, Kermit (Debbie) Suits. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wyman and Priscilla Suits.

A memorial service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, at 11:00am on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30am until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Carbone Cancer Center - Pancreatic Cancer Research, https://cancer.wisc.edu/, Bethel Horizons, https://bethelhorizons.org/, or Second Harvest Food Bank, https://www.secondharvestsw.org/.

The family would like to thank Dr. Monica Patel and the amazing UW Health team; and Calista, Rose, and the wonderful aides from Agrace who took such loving care of Andrea.

Please share your memories of Andrea here on her tribute wall.

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