Service Information
Kelli J. Sawyer, age 56, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at her home in Hutchinson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:00 A.M., at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson.
Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church.
Obituary
Kelli Jean Sawyer was born on March 13, 1970, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Don and Jan (Lesnau) Kinzer. She received her education in St. Cloud, and was a graduate of the Cathedral High School class of 1988. Kelli furthered her education at St. Cloud State University, receiving her Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Kelli was born with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a physical disability, and had more surgeries and procedures than anyone should have to endure. She always maintained a positive outlook through all adversity. That was best reflected in her empathy, patience, and joy that was felt by everyone she touched.
On April 4, 1997, Kelli was united in marriage to John Sawyer at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Monica and Elizabeth. Kelli and John made their home in Hutchinson, Minnesota. They shared nearly 29 love filled years of marriage. Her biggest pride was their children, seeing them flourish and thrive was her greatest blessing. They are blessed to have been raised with such a compassionate, determined and loving mother
Kelli was a loyal and valued Speech Language Pathologist at Central Public Schools in Norwood Young America, Minnesota, for 23 years. She had a passion for helping children and loved seeing them grow. Kelli was a member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church.
Kelli was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bingo as well as passionately cheering on all Minnesota sports teams. In her free time, she also liked going to the movie theater, doing trivia, and playing word games like Quiddler with her mom and sisters and solitaire with her husband. She loved visiting her daughters in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Fargo, North Dakota. In their youth she avidly attended and was active in their sports and activities. Kelli loved Snoopy and Peanuts characters. She was a chocolate connoisseur. Christmas was her favorite, so much so she had their Christmas tree up year-round! She enjoyed watching Hallmark movies and attending performances such as various musicals (Wicked, Elf the Musical, Mary Poppins most recently) and Cirque du Soleil shows on the Las Vegas strip. She also enjoyed going on road trips and vacations, her most recent being to St. Lucia, Caribbean, and Nashville, Tennessee. Most of all, Kelli cherished time spent with her family and friends.
Kelli passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at her home in Hutchinson, at the age of 56 years. Though her time here was much too short, she is leaving behind many loved ones who will cherish her memories and love for eternity.
Blessed be her memory.
Kelli is survived by her:
Husband, John Sawyer;
Daughters, Monica Sawyer,
and Elizabeth Sawyer (Braden);
Parents, Don and Jan Kinzer;
Parents-in law, Jerry and Judy Sawyer;
Siblings, Kim (Jim) Lail,
Jamie (Katie) Kinzer,
and Katie (Jason) Liljestrand;
Many in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Kelli is preceded in death by her Grandparents, Leonard and Emily Lesnau, John and Margaret Kinzer; Cousin, Jeff Balder; Niece, Morgan Sawyer.
Mark & Carol Lagergren (and Chris and Ben) says
Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire family. God’s blessings.
Michelle (Tom) Meyer says
My husband and I were classmates with Kelli. We are sorry for your loss and we are praying for your family.
Karla Richards says
So sorry for your loss! Though I didn’t see her much, loved seeing her posts on Facebook and keeping up with her and her family. Thinking of your family during this hard time!!
Margie Brouck says
She touched many lives and will live on in our Heart Forever. Sorely Missed.
kelly bestul says
What can you say to encapsulate such a beautiful sincere personality as well as the strongest person I’ve ever met! Even through all the physical challenges she was a Hands-On mom a loving wife and always thought more of others than of herself. I love you she is a person everyone should aspire to be and we will miss her. But I am so thankful for all the life lessons and examples she set for not just me but for anyone who was blessed enough to meet her.
Joni Bartz says
I’m very sorry for your loss. I didn’t realize there were any problems. God Bless both you and Don and your entire family. Prayers to all.
Max says
She was my speech teacher since preschool to 5th grade except for 1 or 2 years in elementary. She was amazing. Will be missed! Rest in paradise
Julie White says
John, Monica, Elizabeth
Sympathies to you all! May your memories of your wife/mom strengthen you day by day. She was a wonderful, caring person that will be missed.
Chris Carrigan says
I am so sorry for the of Kelli. my sympathy goes out to all of you.. prayers for your family.. she was a great person.
Heidi Coblentz Owner/Venus Salon says
John, Elizabeth and Monica….
My sincere condolences to all of you! I have been in shock since I heard this very sad news.
Kelli was one of the strongest, caring, most thoughtful person. I loved having conversations about family through her hair appointments. Our last conversation, she was worried about when I was going to retire…what would she do. I guaranteed her that I would keep her hooked up.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Heidi Coblentz Owner/Venus Salon says
John, Elizabeth and Monica….
My sincere condolences to all of you! I have been in shock since I heard this very sad news.
Kelli was one of the strongest, caring, most thoughtful person. I loved having conversations about family through her hair appointments. Our last conversation, she was worried about when I was going to retire…what would she do. I guaranteed her that I would keep her hooked up.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Kristi Nielsen says
I will always cherish the beautiful friendship I was blessed to have with Kelli growing up. The sleepovers, birthday parties and just hanging out with her was so great. She has a way of making everything in life OK no matter what, such a positive person. I will be praying for her family and for her, may she rest in peace.
Jan Johnson says
I waited on Kelli, John and friends at the VFW for Bingo many times. Always a smile and a friendly greeting. You will be missed,go rest high on that mountain, your work on Earth is done.
TJ Bubalo says
I was in the same undergrad and graduate program at St.Cloud State with Kelli. I remember all of the laughs and smiles Kelli gave to all of us. While I didn’t get to see her often once we graduated I did keep in touch through Facebook. Kelli I will always remember how kind you were to me and I hope you are now free of any pain. Rest in peace my friend. TJ
Jenny Benfield says
I got to know Kelli though our kids. Elizabeth and my daughter Natalie went to the same class at St. Anastasia. I will remember our conversation we had up at school and on social media.
Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed.
Kathleen Armstrong says
This is such sad news. I had Kelli as a fifth grade student and remember her as a sweet and loving young girl! She was always cheerful despite her diasabilitiy. Prayers and blessings to all of you. Rest peacefully, Kelli.
John & Tena Weinand says
We would like to send out deepest sympathy to your families. May she rest in peace, and God hold you close.
Carol Dintsch says
Sending condolences to John, Elizabeth, Monica Jan, don and all the people who held Kelli in their hearts. May the wonderful memories you all shared console and support you during this difficult time. Kelli will live on in the hearts and memories of all that loved her deeply. She was a remarkable wife, mother, daughter and friend and sister.