Kelly Ann Powers, RMR, was born December 9, 1958, and died unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 18, 2016.
Kelly was a graduate of Kaukauna High School, then attended Madison Business College, where she graduated with a degree in court reporting. Her career began in August of 1991, working with the Hon. William Johnston in LaFayette County. From there she moved to Madison and worked with the Hon. Sarah O’Brian from August 1992 until July of 2009. Kelly decided she wanted to live the “big city” life and moved to Chicago, working in Cook County until October of 2012. At that point she moved back to Kaukauna to live with and care for her father, taking a position in Waupaca County with the Hon. Raymond Huber.
During her 35-year career Kelly was an active member of both NCRA and WCRA. She served as president of WCRA from 2005-2007. From 2006-2012, Kelly served as a trustee for NCRF, the National Court Reporters Foundation, and was an NCRF Angel donor for three years. She attended NCRA Boot Camp during that same time period. She served on the Advisory Board for MATC for several years and also taught a Civil Procedures class. During her career Kelly also mentored many students.
Most notable were her fundraising activities. She was instrumental in producing a cookbook titled Recipes to Remember, published in 2001. Her famous taco dip recipe appears at almost every luncheon or get-together held in Dane County. She organized and headed the brat stand fundraisers at the UW-Madison home football games; managed a food stand at high school basketball and wrestling tournaments held at the Kohl Center; and scooped many dishes of Babcock ice cream for concerts held at the Kohl Center. She participated in many of the silent auctions, helping to raise money to purchase materials for the baskets that were auctioned at WCRA conventions.
Kelly’s enthusiasm for raising funds for WCRA was contagious, bringing together not only the court reporting community, but family and friends as well. She also volunteered with NCRF during their annual phone-a-thon, traveling to Washington, D.C. When you received a call from Kelly for a donation, it was hard to say no. She was one of their most successful phone-a-thoners!
She was also an avid UW sports fan and had season tickets to Badger football and hockey. More importantly, Kelly loved the Green Bay Packers and also had season tickets. She never missed a game, either attending in person at Lambeau Field or watching at home with family and friends.
Playing bingo and visiting the casino with her dad and brother were a favorite pastime for Kelly. She always said she was the youngest person at the bingo table.
Kelly’s nieces were very special to her. She watched them grow up and attended many of their sporting activities as well as family functions. However, her “children” were her dogs Oden, who passed away after she had moved to Kaukauna, and then Gus, whom she adopted shortly thereafter. She would be happy to know that Gus has found a new home.
Kelly will be remembered for her contagious laugh (and snorts), her positive attitude, and generous spirit. You will be missed!
Debby Manke
Madison, Wis.
