WAUWATOSA- Born April 29, 1957. Born to Eternal Life on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Age 66. Patrick is survived by his life partner of 35 years Elizabeth “Betsy” Simon; his sons, Eric Lawrence (Kristin) Kelnhofer and Ryan Charles Kelnhofer; his daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Rose Kelnhofer; his granddaughter Lucille Olivia Kelnhofer; his brothers and sisters, Don Kelnhofer, Karen (Rudy) Custer, Mark (Nancy) Kelnhofer, Kevin (Joan) Kelnhofer, Terry (Ned) Torti, and Peter (Mary) Kelnhofer; his step-mother Marty Kelnhofer; his ex-wife, Lauren (Mark) Lewis; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Roman Charles Kelnhofer and Marylyn Ann Bross.
Visitation Saturday, April 6th, 2024 from 10:00 am until Time of Memorial Service at 12:00 Noon at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, 2366 N. 80th Street, Wauwatosa, WI.
Born in Milwaukee, WI, his family moved from Milwaukee to Menomonee Falls WI in November, 1961. He enjoyed a childhood filled with love, laughter, and playing Kick the Can and many other barefoot adventures with his neighborhood friends and 6 siblings. He always had fond memories of his times camping, visiting cousins in Appleton and his Grandma Rose in Park Falls, and that infamous road trip to Virginia Beach in 1970. He loved to reminisce about the hours spent playing the board game RISK or working in the garage on his most prized possession: his 1967 (Nantucket Blue) Chevy Camaro.
Patrick attended Bailey School for K-4, Benjamin Franklin grade school 5-8, and graduated early from Menomonee Falls High School in 1975. He continued his education by attending a multitude of higher education courses at MATC in Milwaukee and WCTC in Waukesha. As a young man, he took flying lessons, and enjoyed many adventures skiing as well– both downhill and cross country. He even bravely did some skydiving.
Pat was married to Lauren Podjaski from 1979-1989, and proudly welcomed his first born, Eric Lawrence on October 5, 1983. They lived in Waukesha, Rockford IL, and eventually back to Menomonee Falls.
Pat married Elizabeth (Betsy) Simon on October 12, 1991. They lived in Germantown, Milwaukee, and Wauwatosa. Pat and Betsy became the proud parents of Ryan Charles on May 19, 1998, followed by Margaret (Maggie) Rose on June 26, 2000. Although their 28 year marriage ended a few years back, their partnership as parents extended their relationship, commitment, and love through to the end.
Pat and Betsy were members and raised their children at West Granville Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee, where Pat became an ordained elder. He served as the Property Committee Chair, where he spearheaded many projects during his tenure. Eventually, after moving to Wauwatosa, they became members of Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church.
Patrick was a dedicated and proud father, who devoted his life to giving his children all that he could to experience a full childhood. They never doubted his love and commitment to them as he proudly attended soccer, volleyball, and football games, musicals, awards ceremonies, graduations from High School and College, and the wedding of Eric and Kristin.
He rejoiced that he was able to live long enough to be a grandfather. He became the very proud grandpa to Lucille Olivia in 2022. He savored every moment spent with her, and was in awe of her beauty, infectious laugh, and joyous disposition.
Pat started his professional career as a draftsman at Dostal & Lowey Co. From there, he held different roles in mechanical design and engineering with American Autogard Corp., Sterltech Division of Sterling, and Entrust Tool & Design Co., Production Specialties Group, Inc., CNC Turnkey (where he was Partner/VP), International Truck and Engine Corp, and Concept Engineering. His longest tenured and most accomplished position was as a Research & Development Project Engineer with Pflow Industries, where he worked for 17 years. During Pat’s 17 years of engineering service with Pflow, he contributed in many significant ways. He was most proud of his contributions to the Cartveyor product line. These are escalators for shopping carts being carried between floors at multi-level stores They can be seen in Target, Whole Foods, and Fresh Thyme stores in the Milwaukee area as well as in stores across the country. He designed the current Cartveyor model, replacing the original design, which was a major step forward and he continued involvement when improvements were needed along the way to make the design even better.
When Patrick was not at the office, he could be found working on various projects. He would build computers from scratch, put together and make improvements to his bicycle, and spend hours making repairs to his cars and trucks. Around the house he was an incredible craftsman and relished the opportunities to fix and make improvements to their home. Whether they required mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or carpentry skills, if it needed to be done Pat never doubted that he could figure it out and do it himself.
He loved to unwind by grilling burgers, steak, or salmon, making his famous mashed potatoes, listening to the Packers or Brewers on the radio, and walking around barefoot on a summer’s day. He was fascinated by space and the Apollo missions to the moon. Some of his favorite music artists included the Eagles, Neil Young, and all the classics from the 70s. When it came to movies, The Big Lebowski was one of his all-time favorites. He was at his happiest on the golf course, at the bowling alley, or on his bicycle on rides with Betsy to Glacier Hills County Park, Holy Hill, Grafton, or Summerfest. He was proud of the 20+ years he participated in the Best Dam Bicycle Tour (MS 150) alongside many family members and friends.
Patrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010 but he never let this illness define him. Throughout his battle he befriended many at the Life Clinic at Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Deepak Kilari, his oncologist, was with Pat every step of the way through his long 14 year journey. Despite experiencing all the difficult emotions one must confront when faced with a cancer diagnosis, Pat was determined to stand in positivity and gratitude. With the help of his Reiki Spiritual Practitioner, Ann Ruane of Lux Eterna Healing, Pat adopted several mantras to help strengthen his spirit all the way to the end. The two his family heard most often being, “I have all the time I need to do all the things I need to do,” and simply, “I am enough.” In his final days and hours he was gently guided by the empathy, insight and the wisdom of his Horizon Hospice nurse and dear friend, Juliann Stout.
Although he was taken far too soon, his family takes comfort that at the end he knew the mantras came true. He did have enough time to do the things he needed to do. He was more than enough!
The Dude Abides!
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF): https://www.pcf.org/donate/
Please click link below to live stream the Memorial Service for Patrick.
https://youtube.com/@TosaPresbyterian?si=u5mJ9h8KjZyoCtYr
Please click link below for the Church Website.
https://www.tosapres.com/
