Kellen, Lawrence 1929-2017

KELLEN, STOLL, DRECKMAN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/27/2017 at 11:23:50

Lawrence Kellen, 88 of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Park Place Estates in Le Mars, Iowa.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, Iowa. Burial will be at the Parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post #241. Visitation with the family present will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the Rexwinkel-Feuerstein Funeral Home with a Parish Rosary at 4:00 p.m., and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.
Lawrence was born on March 1, 1929 in rural Granville, Iowa to Aloysius and Elizabeth (Stoll) Kellen. He graduated high school from St. Mary’s Academy in Alton, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Army in August 1951, stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in August 1953. Lawrence was united in marriage to Doris Ann Dreckman on August 8, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Le Mars. They were blessed with 12 children. Lawrence farmed east of Le Mars for many years. Lawrence was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Oyens, a 40 year member of the Wasmer American Legion Post 241, presented the Korean wreath during Memorial Day ceremonies at the Oyens cemetery and was a blood donor, donating over 18 gallons of blood. Lawrence and Doris enjoyed traveling throughout their marriage especially trips to Germany and Alaska. After 57 years of marriage Doris passed away on October 1, 2012.
Lawrence was creative with his mind and hands, often inventing and creating items, he was always tinkering in his shed. He enjoyed driving his tractors, volunteering for various needs at the church, keeping in touch with his military buddies, and joining family and friends for breakfast at the Family Table. He was a very devoted father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He loved to snuggle with his grandkids for naptime.
Lawrence is survived by 9 children: Glenn and Connie Kellen, Al and Becky Kellen, Sondra and Gary Pageler all of Le Mars, Julie and George Friedmann of Sac City, IA, Cindy and Al Alioth of Sgt. Bluff, Lisa Kellen-Nelsen of Des Moines, Angie and Chris Beeck of Hinton, Dan and Rita Kellen of Omaha, and Lynn and Jim Clopton of Springfield, MO; 34 grandchildren: (Glenn) Katie Gerloff, Codie Kellen, and Kurt Kellen, (Al) Adrienne Bower, Laura Bower, Krista Stroud, Jamie Clair, Dillion Bower, Kegan Bower, Kari Kellen, Jenna Kellen, Mack Bower, and Schuylar Kellen, (Julie) Patrick Friedmann, Michael Friedmann, Jill Hunziker, and Carl Friedmann, (Cindy) Nick Shell, Hannah Huggenberger, Bailey Alioth, and Maxwell Alioth, (Lisa) Darrell Nelsen III, Darrick Nelsen, and Abigail Nelsen, (Angie) Samantha Peck, Nick Beeck, and Ally Beeck, (Sondra) Lisa Pageler, Kathy Pageler, Megan Pageler, (Dan) Sydney Kellen and Nathan Kellen, (Lynn) Daric Clopton and Desiree Selvin; and 39 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren; siblings: Louis and Jean Kellen of Homer Glen, IL., Ambrose and Anne Kellen of Dallas, TX, Jerome and Perry Kellen, Joe and Liz Kellen all of Alton, Arnie and Peggy Kellen of Antioch, IL; sisters in law: Sandy Kellen, Ames IA, Loretta Schnepf and Katherine Dreckman of Le Mars; brother in law, Melvin Ruba of Remsen; and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Kellen; 3 children: Scott, Pamela, and Joseph Kellen; 2 grandchildren: Eric and Jennifer Kellen; his parents; siblings: Dolores and Sylvester Hansen, Agnes Ruba, and Daniel Kellen; and in laws: Joseph and Magdalen Dreckman, Cletus Dreckman, Marilyn and Leland Phelan and Ralph Schnepf.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.