KLEIN, Naomi E., age 86

Died: Sunday, March 8th, 2026

As per Kelly's request, no formal services will be held. 

Interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin will be at a later date 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for the Eau Claire Community Humane Association https://eccha.org/donate/

Memories or favorite stories can be sent to naomi-kelly.klein@outlook.com for inclusion in a family remembrance book

Naomi Emily "Kelly" Klein, a lifelong nurse, advocate, and community volunteer whose Registered Nurse career spanned more than fifty years in healthcare and public service passed away peacefully after a life devoted to helping others. Kelly was born April 28, 1939, in Cooperstown, New York to the late William and Beulah (Barr) Vogelien. She grew up in nearby Cherry Valley and graduated with scholastic and athletic honors from Cherry Valley Central High School in 1957. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, after earlier training at the Ellis Hospital School of Nursing. 

Kelly dedicated her professional life to nursing and public health, guided by a deep commitment to care for society's most vulnerable. Over the course of her career, she served patients in hospitals, nursing homes, public health programs, and regulatory roles bringing compassion, professionalism and advocacy to every setting.               

Her early career included public health nursing where she conducted home visits and helped provide immunizations and health education to families and schoolchildren. Kelly later worked in trauma and acute care settings, including Cook County Hospital in Chicago, where she served as a trauma unit supervisor caring for critically injured patients in one of the nation's busiest emergency environments. She also served patients in correctional and geriatric facilities, developing a lifelong dedication to advocating for individuals whose voices were often overlooked.

After moving to Wisconsin, Kelly held leadership roles in regional healthcare organizations, including Director of Nursing at Augusta Nursing Home and Assistant Director of Nursing at Eau Claire's Sacred Heart Hospital where she supervised multiple clinical units and helped develop staff training programs and community health initiatives. Kelly later served the State of Wisconsin as a Nursing Consultant with the Bureau of Quality Assurance evaluating nursing homes, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs to ensure compliance with state and federal standards to improve patient care across the state. Her work helped protect thousands of vulnerable patients and strengthened healthcare quality for communities throughout Wisconsin. She was also recognized for her expertise as a federal surveyor for hospice and home health programs.

Kelly's professional interests extended beyond clinical practice to include advocacy and education. She worked extensively with programs serving developmentally disabled individuals and Native American populations and held certifications and training in regulatory oversight, hospice and home health care, and advanced life support instruction.

Outside of her professional life, Kelly remained deeply committed to her love of Eau Claire and surrounding communities. A short sample of her volunteer time and energy to numerous organizations includes: The Eau Claire Community Humane Association where she supported fundraising and animal welfare efforts; The Chippewa Valley Free Clinic where she volunteered as a nurse serving uninsured patients; Local Eau Claire area food banks helping distribute food to families in need; St. James the Greater Catholic Church where she was a devoted parishioner; The Eau Claire Regional Arts Center and the Eau Claire Children's Theatre supporting arts and youth programs; and The Eau Claire Area Hmong Mutual Assistance Association assisting immigrant and refugee communities. Kelly also volunteered with literacy and educational programs and maintained active involvement in professional nursing organizations throughout her life.

Those who knew Kelly remember her as compassionate, intelligent, and fiercely committed to fairness and dignity in healthcare. She believed strongly that every person - regardless of income, background, or circumstance - deserved quality medical care and respect. Her legacy lives on in the countless patients she cared for, the healthcare professionals she mentored, and the community organizations she strengthened through six decades of service.  

Kelly was also known for her love of travel, including earning her private pilot's license in her 20s, Beanie Babies, the World Champion Green Bay Packers, baking, musical theater, John Sandford novels, every animal on the planet, never-enough Christmas light decorations, and ballroom dancing with Ron. Her passion for water was legendary - despite not learning how to swim until her 30s - for Cape Cod, Lake Havasu, and closer to home, Lakes Wissota and Altoona. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives were improved by her work and love. 

She is survived by her children, Anita, Sarah, and Dan; life partner of 50 years, Ronald Herkowski; his daughters, Kimberly and Karleen; ten grandchildren; and many dear friends. 

Kelly was preceded in death by her parents and her favorite pups, Pepper, Dillon, and Samurai. 

The family extends a special thank you to the heroic nursing staff at Mayo Clinic Health System - Eau Claire.