Kelly Jo Ihrke

Kelly Jo Ihrke, 44, of Plainview, passed away Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus.

Kelly was born on August 27, 1977, in Rochester to Arnold and Sharon (Pervin) Higgins.  She graduated from Mayo High School in 1996.  She attended Rochester Community and Technical college.  She worked at a local car dealership before starting her almost 24-year career at Mayo Clinic as an Education Coordinator in the Department of Dermatology in June 1998.  Kelly thoroughly enjoyed her job and spoke highly of the friendships she made along the way. 

Kelly and her daughter Alexys were united as a family when Kelly married Trevor Ihrke on October 7, 2006.  They made their home in Plainview.  In January 2008, they welcomed Allyson into their family.

If you knew Kelly, the most important thing to her was family.  She was the best wife, the best momma to her girls, the best daughter, the best friend, the best sister and the best aunt.  She had a love of camping.  All that knew her, knew that their camper was her happy place.  She loved her camping friends that became family.  She also loved her fur babies, crafting, and watching Lifetime and Hallmark movies.  

She is survived by her husband Trevor, daughters Alexys and Allyson, mother Ruth (Freese) Higgins, brother Sam (Tracy) Higgins, sisters Jodi (Dave) Vetsch and Brenda (Dave) Johnson; sisters-in-law Teresa (Brian) Sanders and Tammy (Keith) Carpenter, brother-in-law Todd (Kris) Ihrke, step brothers Kevin (Shannon) Freese and Jason (Jenny) Freese.  She leaves behind many nieces and nephews that she was equally proud of.  She also leaves behind her fur babies:  Jasmine, Mia, Oliver, Max, Trooper, Ashton and Tigger.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Arnie and Sharon Higgins and brother Troy Higgins as well as maternal/paternal grandparents, one aunt, one uncle and one cousin. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

The family recently held a Benefit in honor of Kelly on May 28, 2022.  The event was overwhelmingly attended, and it was evident how many people loved Kelly.  The most common theme among the stories was Kelly’s positivity during her cancer journey and her beautiful smile.  People were drawn to Kelly the moment they met her. 

The family would also like to thank Kelly’s care team including Casey Fazer-Posorske, PA, Dr. Caleb Scheckel, The Palliative Care team, the nurses and staff on Station 10-3 and Station 74, Child Life Staff, Chaplain Services and all the wonderful nurses she met during her chemotherapy treatments on Gonda 10.  You all became her family, and we are eternally grateful!

And, because it was Kelly’s wish to leave this world on her own terms, at her request… “POB 😊”

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kelly Jo Ihrke, please visit our floral store.