Ben Kelleher (1893 - 1972)

KELLEHER, WHALEN

Posted By: M. J. Fitzgerald (email)
Date: 10/11/2009 at 18:57:25

Ben Kelleher, son of Mary Whalen and Frank Kelleher, died August 1, 1972. Obituary in the August 9, 1972 edition of the Allamakee Journal newspaper reads:

Last Rites Held for Ben Kelleher

Funeral services were held on August 3 for Ben Kelleher, who died on August 1 at the La Crosse Lutheran Hospital.

He was born on April 18, 1893 to Frank and Mary (Whalen) Kelleher. He received his education in the rural schools and also at Iowa State University. He was a bachelor farmer who worked for the Agricultural Stabilization Commission, starting with the Lafayette township committee and going on to the chairmanship of the Allamakee County Committee. He was also a field man for the state of Iowa for nine years.

Mr. Kelleher served as trustee of Immaculate Conception parish in Lansing for 28 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Survivors include one brother, Kern of Lansing, and four nieces and one nephew.

Fr. John Karal offered the funeral mass at which Dennis Garin, Joe Troendle, Jr. and David and Darryl Becker were servers. The Lector was Tim Kelleher and the music was provided by Kathy Kelleher, who was assisted by Marcia Manning, Marilyn Kernan and George Troendle. Offertory gifts were presented by Mrs. Dan Lawson and children and Mrs. James Hoksch and children, the ladies being nieces of the deceased.

Pallbearers were Harold Manning, Joe Troendle, Elmer Kelleher, Leo Garin, William Curran and Edward Plein, the latter of Waukon. Honorary pallbearers were Leo Kreiger, Tom Kerndt, Jim Powers, Harold Hurm, John Ferring and Gene Brennan. Burial was in Gethsemane.

Those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mrs. Dan Lawson and children of South Bend, Indiana; Mary Kelleher and Patricia Thornton of Madison, Wis.; Mrs. James Hoksch and children of Dexter, Mo,; Mr. and Mrs. John Thornton and daughters Elizabeth and Barbara of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mr. Stephen Donlon and Mrs. Olive Enoof of Elkader, Iowa; and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kelleher and Steve and Tom of Trempealeau, Wis.