John R. "Johnny" KETELSEN
KETELSON, OWENS
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/11/2011 at 14:42:43
Obituary - Johnny Ketelsen
Our Founder, Johnny KETELSEN lead a diverse and exciting life! From a farming background in Iowa, Johnny emerged to become a popular Country & Western musician in the Midwest. As a member of the famous Tom OWENS' Cowboys, Johnny traveled extensively, entertaining with the major Country & Western stars of the 50's and 60's. A guitar player and singer, Johnny performed in all the major ballrooms throughout the Midwest. The band appeared regularly at the famous Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
The band evolved from the Tom OWENS' Cowboys to the Johnny KETELSEN Band in 1955. Heard daily for over 20 years on WMT radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the band holds the National Broadcasting record of 6,500 live radio shows (the most of any musical group in history).
Johnny appeared regularly on his own TV shows on WMT-TV and KCRG-TV for many years.
In 1962, Johnny embarked on a new "career" in selling campers. Still performing nightly with the band, Johnny enlisted the entire Family to help promote the fledgling business. As a pioneer in the emerging industry, Johnny helped forge the framework of what today is known as the Recreational Vehicle Business. On August 3, 2000, Johnny was inducted into the prestigious RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. The following is the text of Johnny's introduction at the Hall of Fame ceremony:
"Our next inductee is John R. 'Johnny' KETELSEN of Ketelsen RV, an RV retailer from Marion, Iowa and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Johnny's orientation to RVing began in 1938 when, as a teenager, he traveled throughout the western states in a home-made RV. A 38-year RV dealer, he is a founding member and past Secretary of the national RV Dealers Association and is a 28-year member and officer. He is the founder and Past Chairman of the Iowa RV Dealers Association. He is recognized as a prime example of impeccable business values and ethics and as a mentor for RV retailers nationwide. He and his western swing band hold a national record of over 6,500 appearances on live radio.
Please welcome Hall of Fame member Johnny KETELSEN."
Our entire family at Ketelsen Campers is proud to walk in the footsteps of our founder, father and friend - Johnny KETELSEN.
Ketelson Campers is located at Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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