Ann Clare Kelly of San Francisco, California, entered into the presence of the Lord on January 30, 2025, at the age of 63.

Ann was born to Leonard and Jean Druschba on January 9,1962, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. She was a newborn when her family moved into their home on Shell Lake. Ann enjoyed time with family and friends, played volleyball, and participated in high school organizations. She pursued her creative side, with a keen eye for fashion and a deft hand for cross-stitching. Ann graduated from Shell Lake in 1980, and went on to pursue a business degree at Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After graduating from Marquette in 1984, Ann moved to Chicago and worked for Aetna Insurance and later for General Reinsurance. Having grown up on Shell Lake, her love of the water led to a love of sailing on Lake Michigan. Ann enjoyed the vibrancy and amenities of big-city living, and she moved to a new home in San Francisco, California. While in San Francisco, Ann worked in the field of event planning and volunteered at Catholic Charities and the food bank. It was here that she met her partner, Ken Dinsdorf. Ken shared his love of professional sports with Ann, especially football and baseball. She cheered on the 49ers and Giants, but remained loyal to the Packers and Brewers. Besides sports, Ann enjoyed Scrabble, city walks, decorating her home, and she couldn’t resist peanut M&M’s and caramel! Although Ann did not have any children, she dearly loved and delighted in keeping in touch with her nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and both new and long-time friends. Her compassion, big smile, intelligence, capacity to forgive, resiliency, and strength of character will be remembered by and inspirational to all who knew her.

Throughout her life, Ann maintained an unwavering faith in God. She is reunited in Heaven with her partner, Ken Dinsdorf, grandmother, Catherine Savoy, parents, Leonard and Jean Druschba, sister-in-law, Trudy Druschba, and brother-in-law, Bruce Walker.

She is survived by her brother Greg Druschba, sisters Cathy (Sig) Sereno, Megan (Fred) Johnson, Cecile (Patrick) Aardappel, and Julie Walker, nieces Danielle Johnson, Emily Johnson, and Clare Walker, nephews Aaron Druschba, Nick Aardappel, and Jake Aardappel and great nieces, Violet, Wynonna, Evangeline, and Willa.

A service for Ann is being planned for this spring. Donations in Ann’s memory can be made to a food bank.

Although Ann’s heritage was diverse, she had an affinity for all things Irish. She treasured a family heirloom of the Irish blessing, which ends with a sentiment from Isaiah 49:16: “And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand”. Ann will be deeply missed, but she has traveled on to her eternal life in heaven, where she is at peace in the palm of His hand.

Last Update: Mar 11, 2025 1:56 pm CDT