Kelly Suzanne Hetherington

Kelly Suzanne Hetherington, 52, of Oconomowoc, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on February 12, 2023 after a two-year battle with Leukemia. Kelly fought valiantly with strength, courage, dignity, grace and faith. Kelly was born on December 2, 1970 to Thomas R and Renee Peelen in Milwaukee, WI.

Kelly met the love of her life, Tim Hetherington, and always said she knew he was “the one” the moment she saw him walk down the stairs.  Kelly told everyone, “She just knew.”  Seven months later they got married and began a 24-year marriage filled with a special love and respect for each other.  Their love was put to the test early.  Twenty-four hours after the wedding, Tim being a U.S. Marine, was deployed for six months to northern Italy for Operation Allied Force.  Tim and Kelly would eventually reside in Oconomowoc, WI where they’ve resided for the past 15 years, loving their corner of the neighborhood with all of their amazing neighbors.

Kelly worked in accounting and obtained her bachelor’s degree while working and being a single mother, something she was always proud of.  She later became an executive assistant at Walbec Group, obtaining a Master’s Degree near the beginning of her approximately 20-year career there.  She loved being part of the Walbec family.  The love and support from her Walbec family throughout her battle with Leukemia was nothing short of amazing.  Words like immeasurable and unbelievable don’t begin to describe the love and support that Kelly and her family received throughout this battle.  From the bottom of our hearts, a very special thank you goes out to Kelly's boss, Kurt Bechtold who had a very special bond with Kelly.

Kelly is survived by her husband Tim Hetherington, two children Kendra (Dustin) Schultz, Dakota Hetherington.  She is further survived by her mother Renee Peelen, her sister Janet (Dale) Jasniewski, niece Olivia Jasniewski, and one grandchild, Lynett Schultz. Kelly additionally had her mother-in-law Maribeth Hetherington, Sister in-law Erin (Peter) Stahlschmidt, Sara (Jeff) Malchow and many nieces and nephews that all loved her like she was their own.  She was preceded in death by her father Tom Peelen and father-in-law Scott Hetherington.

Our family would like to acknowledge and thank Kelly's doctors, Dr. Atallah and Dr. Abedin, the Froedtert team on CFAC 7, CFAC 9 and the Froedtert Moorland Reserve nurses and staff.  The level of care, compassion, professionalism and respect you provided was unparalleled.  We are proud to call many of you friends.  Much love and respect to all of you!  We would also like to encourage people to not only donate blood and platelets, but to also log onto www.bethematch.org and consider being on the Bone Marrow Registry.  Kelly needed special platelets throughout her battle.  May God Bless the select few donors that selflessly kept donating their blood and platelets that Kelly desperately needed over the last two years.  A special thank you to Pastor Cory Dahl from First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay for all of his spiritual guidance and friendship throughout Kelly’s battle.

In lieu of a formal funeral service, Kelly’s wishes were for a private family celebration of life with 80’s music.  The celebration will be held at a later date.

“I was lucky to have you for 24 years! I love you, forever and always.  It’s not goodbye.  It’s see ya later.”

-Tim