Kellie Riehle, 50

Kellie was born on July 14, 1970, to Genny (Markovetz) and Jerry Riehle. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School and graduated from Notre Dame High Schoo,l both in Cresco. She was very competitive and enjoyed playing sports. She participated in volleyball and basketball. She was always a team player and especially a team leader. Kellie was crowned prom queen, where Ron (brother) and Jenilee (sister) got to join in this ceremony as junior King and Queen. She attended Luther College for one year then transferred to University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Business Administration & Management Degree. 

Kellie moved back to Cresco, where she worked in retail for many years. She met her husband, Jody Gunderson, and to this union two sons, Benjamin (21) was born 1999 and Alexander (20) was born 2001. She also gained a stepson William (32). She adored their two dogs, Rex and Leo, and their cat, Lucy.

Kellie worked for six years for Spherion and moved on to continue her career at Kelly Services, where she worked for the last 15 years. She was a very successful business woman and achieved many milestones in her career. She was rewarded a yearly trip because of her accomplishments in the 110% sales club. She was rewarded Top Sales Manager for many years and was part of the Top 10 Investment Markets.

Kellie, an elegant, beautiful woman, lived her life to the fullest. She brought sunshine to everyone when she walked into the room. Those who truly knew her can appreciate how passionate she was, both personally and professionally. 

She was very devoted to her boys and family and was a wonderful mom who gave so much love and was so proud. Kellie loved attending her boys’ sporting events and taking pictures to create memories and capture the moments. She found faith important in her life, attending church weekly. She made time for people and always found the good in them.

Kellie had many passions in her life. Her favorite love was going on adventures, collecting antiques, restoring their Victorian home and maintaining the integrity of the house. She viewed everything as having potential. She enjoyed sitting on her patio drinking wine, eating cheese while engaging in conversations and listening to music. She loved going on brewery trips with the family, going to Fareway for “buns” with the girls (M&M Lounge) and walking with the dogs. Kellie had a profound interest in grilling and cooking. You always felt like royalty when you were at her home. Kellie was loved and adored by all!

She is survived by her husband, Jody Gunderson of Hamilton; her sons, Benjamin and Alexander Gunderson of Hamilton; stepson William Gunderson of Minneapolis, Minn.; four-legged friends, Rex, Leo and Lucy; parents, Jerry and Genny Riehle of Cresco; sister, Kim (Nick) Krause of Rochester, Minn, and children, Collin, Dawson and Caiden Krause; brother, Ron (Sara) Riehle of Decorah, Iowa and children, Kennady and Avery Riehle; sister, Jenilee (Cory) Schnell of Cedar Falls, Iowa; aunts, Diane (Carl) Thompson of Bullhead City, Ariz., Mickie Riehle of Cresco and LaRita Pierce of Cresco; nine cousins; mother-in-law, Marilyn Gunderson of Grand Forks, N.D.; brother-in-law, Jay (Dianne) Gunderson of Grand Forks and children, Jacob and Jessica; brother-in-law, Jamie Gunderson of Las Vegas, Nev. and his children, Tazman, Shania, Shay, Tanner, Zoe and Toren; sister-in-law, Jana Gunderson of Grand Forks and her children, Ethan and Abby; and brother-in-law, Jerry (Lisa) Gunderson of Grand Forks.

Kellie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Ed and Lillian Markovetz; paternal grandparents, Fred and Mildred Riehle and Wallace Gunderson; great-grandparents Ana and Louis Ira and Gertrude Riehle; three uncles, Darrell Riehle, Mike Pierce and Orval Bruvold; and brother-in-law, Jeff Gunderson.