Patricia Kellum of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, passed away on November 28, 2024, Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by her loving family. She was 80 years old.

Patricia was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in May 2024; however, she continued to live with gusto and passion, spending her days talking and laughing with her friends and family. "Patty," as she was called by many, was known for her big, beautiful smile, sparkling green eyes, and warm laugh. She had a grace about her that touched everyone she encountered, and anyone she met instantly became her friend.

Patricia Lee Kellum was born on December 5, 1943, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Harold and Isabel De Larwell. She was the fourth of five children raised by Irish and Belgian parents. Patricia's younger brother, Mike De Larwell, was her best buddy and she cared for Mike as his guardian for most of their lives. Mike adored his big sister, who visited him frequently in Fredonia, Wisconsin and took him out for special lunches.

Patricia graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Green Bay, WI. She met her future husband, Fred Hebert, while he was attending St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. They married and moved to Germany for three years while Fred served in the U.S. Army. Eventually the couple settled and raised their three children, Therese, Greg, and Beth, in La Crosse, WI.

Patty had a flair for fashion and home design, and while her kids were growing up, she decided to earn a degree in Interior Design. As her talents blossomed, and demand for her expertise grew, she chose to start her own business. "Pat Hebert Interiors" was founded in 1980 and continued to flourish for more than thirty years, during which Patricia designed and decorated many La Crosse area homes and businesses. Patricia would stay in her La Crosse home at 21st and Cass for forty-two years before relocating to Cedarburg in 2013 with her second husband, Jerry Kellum.

Patricia and Jerry spent almost thirty years together, until Jerry's passing in 2018. Theirs was a beautiful, adoring, and charmed relationship filled with fun and laughter. The couple made the decision to build their home in Cedarburg to spend their retirement years near Therese and Beth and their families. Patricia's greatest joy was being a mother and a grandmother. Her granddaughters, Ella, Nora, and Sara, and grandsons, Anderson and Liam, delighted Patty and she showed them every day how much she adored them. Patty knew how to express her love, and it was unconditional. She was completely interested in what her kids and grandkids were thinking, feeling, and doing and she was their number one fan.

The same goes for Patricia's friends and extended family. She considered all of her friends to be special gems and filled them with love and energy, the kind that only happens when you care deeply for someone. This love is reflected back in the many who loved her. Pat, Patricia, Patty - we are all better humans for having known her.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Kellum. In addition, Patricia and her family suffered a great loss when their son and brother, Greg Hebert, passed away in 1993. During this time, Patricia relied on her deep spirituality and faith in God to help her survive such tremendous sorrow. She also credits her friends who supported her and have continued to honor and remember Greg over the years.

Patricia is survived by her two daughters and their families; Therese and Dave Bishop and their daughter Ella of Mequon, WI, and Beth and Jack Van Ess and their daughter Eleanor "Nora" of Cedarburg, WI. She is further survived by her two stepsons and their families; David and Yasuko and their daughter Sara of Osaka, Japan, and Bradley and Grace Kellum and their sons Anderson and Liam of Brooklyn, NY, her brother Michael De Larwell of Fredonia, WI, sisters-in-law Glenda De Larwell of Fresno, CA, Kee Kee Fulkersin of Bay City, MI, Deb Arnold of Ferguson, MO, and their families, and many special nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2750 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, WI, with visitation starting at 11 A.M. and the memorial service beginning at Noon. Father Dan Sanders will preside over the memorial service. A luncheon at Lumen Christi will follow.

For those choosing to honor Patricia, a donation may be made to; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Open Arms Free Clinic in Elkhorn, WI, the P.E.O. Star Scholarship Fund, or to another charity of preference.

Thank you to the many friends, extended family, neighbors, and healthcare providers who loved and supported mom during her illness, including her La Crosse friends, her special nieces Debbie Bourguignon and Michelle Morrell, and her P.E.O. "Sisters" from Chapter BV, a charitable organization that raises funds to support higher education for women.

The Eernisse Funeral Home, Cedarburg, is honored to serve the Kellum family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com