KETELSEN, Dale Glenn c1935-2014

KETELSEN, BALLARD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/2/2014 at 23:00:45

Dale Glenn Ketelsen, 78, retired teacher and coach, passed away March 22, 2014 at Ollie Steele Burden Manor with his wife by his side.

A memorial service was held Saturday, March 29 at University United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, conducted by Rev. Larry Miller.

Dale was grew up in Osage, Iowa where he attended High School, lettering in four sports. Upon graduation, he attended Iowa State University, as a member of the wrestling team, where he was a two-time All-American and won 2nd and 3rd in the NCAA finals of Wrestling. He was a finalist in the Olympic Trials for the 1960 Olympics.

After graduation, he joined the US Marine Reserves and returned to ISU as an Assistant Wrestling Coach. In 1961, he took a job as Teacher/Coach at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Suburban Chicago, Ill. While there, he also earned a Master’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. In 1968, he was hired to start a wrestling program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. He was on the Executive Board of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and a founding member of USA Wrestling. He was the wrestling host for the National Sports Festival in 1985, He was instrumental in promoting wrestling in the High Schools in Louisiana. He was head wrestling coach at Belaire High School in Baton Rouge, La. for 20 years and assistant wrestling coach at The St. Paul's School in Covington, La.

He was devoted to faith, family, farming and the sport of Wrestling. Among his many honors were induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and being named Master of Wrestling (Man of the Year) for Wrestling USA magazine. He was a long time member and Usher of University United Methodist Church.

Dale is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pat Ballard Ketelsen, two sons: Craig (Emily) Ketelsen of Covington, La; Erik (Bonnie) Ketelsen, Atlanta, Ga. and one daughter, Penny (Lee) Kelly, Nashville, Tenn.; five grandchildren: Katie, Abby, Brian and Michael Ketelsen and Graham Kelly; a sister-in-law, Karen Ketelsen of Osage; six nephews: Lon Olsen, Lance Olsen, Bill Schroeder, David Schroeder, Kurt Ketelsen and Kent Ketelsen; five neices: Deidre Badker, Danell Johnson, Kymm Galligan, Kyra Berentsen, and Kristie Ortiz.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Gladys Olsen Ketelsen, sisters; Dixie Schroeder and Daisie Olsen and a brother, Dean Ketelsen.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Alzheimer's Services, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, La. 70806.

Source: Mitchell County Press, 2 APR 2014