Kelly A. Gochenaur, a friendly, selfless, and loving woman whose life was marked by service to others, died on June 27, 2026, in Prairie du Chien. She was 63. Born on Sept. 11, 1962, in Tacoma, Wash., she carried with her throughout life a steady commitment to family, community, and public service. Kelly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1982 to 1986. After her military service, she worked as a nursing assistant at Memorial Hospital in Prairie du Chien. She later served as human resources manager for Lori Knapp in Prairie du Chien. For 10 years, she also served as an ombudsman for the state of Wisconsin, advocating for others and helping ensure that voices were heard and respected. She studied psychology and human services and earned her bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University. She enjoyed volunteering, hiking, and traveling. Whether she was lending a hand, exploring a trail, or discovering a new place, she approached life with warmth and curiosity. Kelly never considered herself a victim of her illness. Rather, she cherished the gift of time to say goodbye and gifts underneath it all; for these were holy moments. In Kelly’s words, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. So now it’s time to gather with the saints, past, present, and future, and be off on another great adventure”. Kelly was the daughter of Joan Talik and the late Robert Talik. She is survived by her husband, Brian Gochenaur; her sons, Alex Gochenaur and Phil (Alex J.) Gochenaur; her grandchild, Sterling “Bud”; her mother, Joan Talik; her brother, Jerry (Lisa) Talik; her sister, Vonnie (Brett) Ginther; mother-in-law Joan Gochenaur and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her father-in-law Beryl “Bud” Gochenaur.
A Memorial Service will be Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, with private inurnment at a later date. Friends may call at the Garrity Funeral Home on Friday, July 17, from 5–7 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Kelly’s Memorial Service will be livestreamed to the church Facebook page for those unable to attend.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Cancer Research or the Fort Fun Restoration Project by way of the Prairie du Chien Rotary Club. The Garrity Funeral Home of Prairie du Chien is assisting the family. www.garrityfuneralhome.com
