Kathleen Rohde

Kathleen “Katie” (McClellan) Rohde, age 42, passed away unexpectedly on December 20, 2025 at UW Hospital in Madison.  Katie was born on November 20, 1983, to David and Debra McClellan in Madison, WI. She grew up in McFarland, WI where she made many close friends and became a star high school athlete and honor student. Mostly excelling in Basketball and Softball where she managed to get her name in the paper a few times. Katie attended UW Oshkosh her first two years and then returned home to finish her first communications degree at Edgewood.

After college Katie began her career at WPS Health Solutions starting out in the Family Care department working her way up the ladder with a deep passion for the customers she served. During this time Katie also earned her second degree at Edgewood, which she was also very proud of.  Katie then moved to the Service Delivery IT team at WPS where she played a crucial part bridging the gap between the business units and IT operations. After WPS Katie worked for the State of Wisconsin in DHS where she returned to working in the Family Care program helping providers navigate a new enrollment system.

Over the years Katie built tremendous relationships with people all over Wisconsin and the US. Whether it was through her travels, recreation softball, volleyball, pool league and of course horseshoes. She cherished all who she met and know that all of you were special to her. Katie and husband Steve also traveled throughout the US and cherished the Alaska trip and the traditional New Years in Florida trip. Katie enjoyed camping with Steve and being introduced to bow hunting, turkey hunting and the peacefulness of quietly sitting in a tree stand watching the sunrise.

Katie is preceded in death by her father, David McClellan. She is survived by her husband Steven Rohde; mother Debra McClellan; In laws Roger and Carol Rohde, Scott and Lynn Rohde, Lisa and Phil Gilbertson; niece and nephew Brooke and Colton; and her four legged “daughter” Lila and “brother” Oliver.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Katie’s honor to the Dane County Humane Society or to the Columbia County Humane Society.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at Ryan Funeral Home, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.