Kellie Ann (Kwiecien) Griffin, 53, passed away on January 21, 2023 at her home in New Berlin, Wisconsin surrounded by her family. She was an amazing woman who lived a vibrant life and leaves behind a rich legacy built on her love for her family and friends, as well as her commitment to her faith and church.

Kellie was born on February 3rd, 1969 to Bill and Bernie (Mach) Kwiecien in Racine,  WI, the younger sister of Ken Kwiecien. Kellie’s childhood consisted of family trips to Copper Falls, WI, time at her grandma’s farm in Antigo, WI, and visits with her aunt in California. She enjoyed activities like playing the flute, piccolo, and piano, and participating in marching band. She and her family enjoyed outdoor activities including gardening, snowmobiling, fishing, and camping. Her lifelong love of dogs and an admiration for nature stemmed from her childhood; she always enjoyed running, hiking, and bike riding. She attended St. Thomas in Waterford for grade school and St. Mary’s Catholic Central high school. In 1991, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Russian language and Eastern European studies from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Following college, she was a loyal servant in the Peace Corps, teaching English in Kazakhstan for two years. She always adored her students, some of her favorite memories being introducing them to National Geographic magazines and teaching them baseball. Her students showed their love and respect for Kellie by gifting live chickens, lambs, and a small plastic lamb she has kept as a good luck travel token her whole life. Kellie recalls these years as some of the best in her life, while also traveling Europe and making lifelong friends. She prides herself in teaching her friends overseas how to bake cookies and cherishes many late nights with her Peace Corps friends!

Kellie met the love of her life, John Griffin, during a date at the Nomad Pub in Milwaukee. They were married nine months later at St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. In her last few days, she discussed a man with “brown hair and a leather jacket” and that she would love to go out with him again, depicting their first date. John and Kellie shared a sense of humor, a love for the outdoors, animals, and traveling. 

Kellie is survived by her husband John, and three children, Molly (22), Saede (19), and John (14). She is also survived by her parents, Bill and Bernie Kwiecien (Kiel, WI), and her brother, Ken (Lisa) Kwiecien. Kellie leaves behind many other close relatives and loving friends. Throughout her life, Kellie cherished family time over everything. She and her family spent lots of time together each day, playing games, going on hikes with their dogs, gardening, having bonfires, visiting with neighbors, traveling, and exploring. Kellie spoke frequently about how much she cherished the memory of first introducing her children to the ocean in Virginia. Many of her best family memories stem from the family tradition of visiting with John’s side of the family every summer, renting lake and beach houses, camping, swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, yard games, and more. Endless happy memories were made during those years. She also enjoyed visiting her brother and his family in Colorado throughout the years with her family. During these trips, they made memories of hiking through the mountains, white-water rafting, mountain biking, and more.

SERVICE

There will be a Celebration of Life and Mass on Saturday, February 11 for Kellie at Holy Apostles Catholic Church in New Berlin, WI. Visitation will begin at 10 am followed by Mass at noon. A luncheon and beverages will immediately follow at the Waukesha Elks Lodge #400.  We hope you can join us to celebrate and honor her life. For anyone that is unable to attend Kellie’s service in person but would like to view the event, here is a link for the livestream.

https://www.youtube.com/chann…

Holy Apostles: 16000 W National Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151

Waukesha Elks Lodge: 2301 Springdale Road Waukesha, WI 53186

For anyone considering memorial donations or flowers, Kellie asked to consider a contribution to her favorite charity, “Unbound”.

https://www.unbound.org/Donat…

Although Kellie left us too early, know that she is at peace in God’s hands and will always be that twinkling star shining down and watching over us, until we meet again. We extend our thanks to our dear family and friends for the unconditional love you all have shown Kellie and our family throughout our lives. Lastly, we would like to thank our home hospice nurse, Brenda, who befriended Kellie and her family, making the last months of Kellie’s life one filled with peace and comfort.

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