Kim Byrnes

Kim Byrnes, 62, originally of Reedsburg, Wisconsin, died in her home on January 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with cancer.

Kim was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and grew up between Wisconsin and California. Diagnosed at an early age with juvenile arthritis, she was advised to “keep moving.” Taking that advice to heart, she took up sports and became a gifted and fiercely competitive athlete. At Beverly Hills High School, she was a standout student-athlete and MVP basketball player, and later placed for the U.S. Women’s summer Olympic basketball team. During her high school years, she also traveled to Greece and New York for the filmings of The Tempest and Moscow on the Hudson, where she can be seen playing the part of a New York punk rocker. She later attended the Academy Awards for the film.

A respected and beloved soccer coach whose influence extended far beyond the sidelines, she began coaching at the collegiate level at Fordham University before moving to Arizona, where she served as a leading coach with Sereno Soccer Club and Arizona Football Club. She later founded Arizona Sting FC in Tempe to pursue a clear vision: prioritizing long-term player development over short-term results. Under her leadership, the club placed numerous athletes into college programs while emphasizing technical mastery, decision-making, and game intelligence.

Later in life, Kim discovered a love of cooking and was known for preparing great gourmet meals for her Arizona friends and neighbors and memorable holiday and game-day feasts. She was also a devoted animal lover, leaving behind three beloved felines. A generous supporter of charitable causes, she was always eager to help those in need.

Upon her diagnosis, Kim fulfilled her wish to return to Wisconsin, settling in Waupaca, the more recent home of the Byrnes family reunions. Living in a house in the city center, she enjoyed the four seasons (especially a good thunderstorm) along with trips to the library and all that Main Street had to offer, while under the loving and patient care of her sister Erin, who lived with her during this time.

She will be dearly missed by her father and step mother, Patrick Byrnes and Sandy Byrnes, her mother, Ann Healy; her sisters, Erin Byrnes, Tracy Briley (and husband John Briley), and Jamie Mehdi-Tash (and husband Michael Mehdi-Tash); her nephews, Christopher Briley and Daniel Mehdi-Tash; and her nieces, Stephanie Briley, Gabrielle Mehdi-Tash, and Rebecca Mehdi-Tash and all who knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life is being organized in Kim's honor. This will be held in the warmer months. We will reach out to family and friends with more details.