Ketterhagen, Kenneth Joseph 1950-2004

KETTERHAGEN, SEARL, WAGNER, LUX, GOODE, FREEMAN

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 4/14/2004 at 21:39:31

Kenneth (Spook) Joseph Ketterhagen
April 14, 2004

Kenneth Joseph Ketterhagen, 54, well-known Fairfield Attorney, passed away Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa. His body was cremated Monday, April 12 at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City, Iowa.

Ken was born in Burlington, Wisconsin on January 31, 1950. In June of 1968, he graduated from Burlington High School, where he participated in varsity football and wrestling, was student council president, and played the trombone in band. Subsequently he received his B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He was a member of an ROTC unit. In 1970 Mr. Ketterhagen attended a course in Mallorca, Spain, where he became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation. In 1980 Mr. Ketterhagen received his law degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Mr. Ketterhagen achieved success in several different vocations as well as avocations. He taught Transcendental Meditation in Milwaukee in the early 1970s; served as a Teaching Assistant at the originally-named Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, in 1975; and had a successful law practice in Fairfield, Iowa, from 1986 to the present. Since the age of eight he was an avid magician -- performing for local groups as "The Great Ketterdini" -- and was a 30-year member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was a noted gardener and member of the Orchid Society who cultivated both orchids and bonsai, and was a gourmet cook who pursued a life-long interest in the culinary arts. Ken also enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy novels.

Ken will be remembered as a remarkable lawyer by judges, his colleagues, his clients and friends. He touched thousands of people professionally and socially through his zest for life and sense of humor and will be missed by all.

Ken is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kathleen Anne Searl Ketterhagen, whom he married in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on November 29, 1980, and their son, Holden Jay Wagner Ketterhagen. He is also survived by his father, Kenneth Ketterhagen of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; his mother, Rosemary Patricia Wagner Ketterhagen of Delaven, Wisconsin; a sister, Patricia Lux of Lake Geneva; and a brother, Brian Ketterhagen and family of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ken's request was to have a gathering of all his friends and colleagues to celebrate his life -- "Ken's Big Party," which will be held Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at Morning Star Studio. Ken wanted everyone to bring their favorite gourmet dish, their favorite Ken story and/or photo to share with each other, and to dress in festive casual clothing. For those who cannot attend, Kathy requests that you write down your favorite story to help create a memorial album of his life. Morning Stars entrance is located on the east side of the square in Fairfield, Iowa at 51 1/2 South Court Street next to Field of Dreams Music; do not park on the square due to Fairfield prom. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in honor of Ken to: Medical Assistance Foundation, 1710 South Main Street, Fairfield, Iowa 52556 or Dharma Foundation, 2280 West Tyler Avenue, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Questions about the Saturday memorial celebration can be directed to Barbara Goode at (641) 469-6170 daytime or (641) 693-9038 evening, or Marc Freeman at (641) 472-2727.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2004