Landon, Katherine Engels (Kelly)

Katherine Engels (Kelly) Landon (72), passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024, at Sienna Crest Memory Care, in Mineral Point, WI. Born on October 11, 1951 in Mineral Point, WI, to Thomas and Gerda Engels, she was the second of five children welcomed into a community that she loved and where she spent most of her life.

Kathie graduated in the class of 1969 from Mineral Point High School.  Shortly thereafter she followed her dream of living in Florida and moved to Tampa with her best friend Margie "Lou-Lou" Johnston.  After several months, she returned to Mineral Point where she met and married Theodore Landon.  Her sons, Adam and Mathew followed shortly thereafter.  She began her long career and worked almost 20 years at Lands End in various different departments and roles.  She went on to pursue a position at UW Platteville in Student Services until she retired due to medical issues.

On October 11, 2008, Kathie confirmed her life-long love with Tom Kelly, when she finally said yes in a little white country church.  She and Tom loved entertaining for their family and friends with dinner parties.  She enjoyed cooking and making meals for everyone to enjoy, especially Turkey dinners with all of the sides.

Kathie and Tom loved traveling to the Southwest.  She was most fond of her time with the Zuni tribe, often participating in native American dance rituals.  While in New Mexico she often spent time with her friend Carmelita who hand crafted many of Kathie's jewelry pieces.  Kathie also had a beautiful Mexican art collection of Kachina dolls, baskets and more.

Kathie also supported the Amish community, building several lasting friendships over the years.  She was proud of her Amish furniture collection, and beautiful quilts that she had displayed in her home.

Tom was a local artist so they spent time preparing for gallery nights, traveling to art shows.  The fall art tour was one of their favorites.

Kathie loved her two boys Adam and Mathew.  They were her pride and joy.  She was a very loving Mom and enjoyed when they came home to have a meal or stay the weekend.  She would offer to do their laundry, cook meals and shower them with unconditional love.  Once her son Adam married his wife Crystal, they blessed Kathie with two beautiful granddaughters who she adored.  Kathie enjoyed the weekends Adam and his family would come to town.  She got to spend time with the girls baking, cooking, crafts and gardening.  She loved every opportunity she got with them.  Kathie absolutely loved the Christmas holiday and shared that love with Naidah and Brynlee when she passed her snow globe collection over to them. She was so proud of them and would talk about them anytime she could.  Most recently her son Mathew graduated with a degree as a Pharmacy Tech and started a job immediately in Madison.  Additionally her son Adam pursued his dreams and followed in her dad's footsteps of becoming a Firefighter with Fox Crossing Fire Department. She was so proud of her boys and all that they've accomplished.

Over the past few years she experienced several medical setbacks.  She was a fighter and never gave up.  She fought right up to the end.  Unfortunately good health was not Kathie's friend in recent months. Her death was precipitated by a brief  illness with RSV, resulting a drastic decline in her health.  She received skilled and compassionate care in the hours preceding her death from the dedicated staff at Sienna Crest Memory Care.  Please remember to thank all medical staff who didn't leave the medical field during the pandemic. The stress and pressure they have endured has been beyond comprehension to those of us who haven't worked there.

Kathie is survived by her two sons Adam Landon (Crystal) and Mathew Landon, granddaughters, Naidah and Brynlee Landon, her brothers Tom Engels (Melody), Jonathan Engels (Sonya) and their two daughters Olivia and Anna, David Engels (Tari) and their daughter Grace.

Kathie is preceded in death by her parents Gerda and Tom Engels, her sister Susan Vandeloecht and her husband Ken, her first husband Theodore (Ted) Landon and her current husband Tom Kelly.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the staff at Sienna Crest and the Hospice care nurses.  They went above and beyond for Kathie over the past five years of her time spent there.  The compassion and love they shared with her was apparent any time family would visit her.  She loved the staff and they loved her.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on April 20, 2024 at Ss Mary and Paul Catholic Church in Mineral Point, WI.  Friends may call from 10:30-11:50 a.m., with services beginning at 12:00 noon.

A Celebration of Life will  follow beginning at 1:30 p.m., at the Commerce Street Brewery and Hotel in Mineral Point, WI 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a charity of your choice, or Hodan Community Services in Mineral Point.

Gorgen Funeral Home

www.gorgenfh.com