Pat Kelm leaves legacy of caring, friendship

In memoriam 

Patricia L. Kelm  

Sept. 29, 1939-March 8, 2025 

Pat Kelm cared.  

She was a book club leader who painstakingly picked titles for consideration. She was a fierce advocate for public education and women’s rights. She was kind and helpful to everyone. 

Patricia Kelm, 85, an Elkhart Public Library employee and active community member, passed away March 8, 2025.  

“She was a wonderful person,” says Marlene Cairns, Pat’s best friend and a fellow co-founder of the Osolo Page Turners. “She was very determined, very strong in her opinions. She led a good life. She was involved in a lot.” 

Marlene’s last conversation with her friend was about the March book club meeting: “We talked, and she said ‘Marlene, would you hurry and finish the book? I really want to talk about it.’” 

Donna Mitschelen, who retired earlier this year as manager of the Osolo Branch, worked with Pat for nearly 30 years. Pat started working part-time on weekends before expanding her hours. 

“She wanted people to enjoy the library as we did,” says Donna. “She was very kind, very knowledgeable. She helped everyone.” 

In 2012, Marlene and Pat quit talking about starting a book club and actually did it.  Pat wrote the discussion points for books and Marlene recruited members. Eight people came to the first meeting; now, the club has about a dozen regulars. 

Pat would spend considerable time taking book suggestions and reading reviews to make a list of books for the club to choose from, Marlene says. 

Marlene came to know her friend 48 years ago when she moved to the Old Mill neighborhood where Pat lived. The couples became friends, then their kids played together when they were little.  

Eventually, they started playing bridge and mahjong together. They both became board members of the Four Arts Club. The book club was a natural extension of their friendship. 

“We would talk on the phone, sometimes twice a day,” Marlene says. “I keep reaching for the phone to call her.” 

Pat is survived by her husband, James; three children; two sisters; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Her family wrote in her obituary, “In honor of Pat’s legacy, please support your local library, pick up a book, play a competitive game of bridge or plan an adventure – she would have wanted nothing less.”