Martin "Mike" Ketelsen 1935 - 2017

PARKER, KETELSEN, SCHWALLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/10/2017 at 16:53:46

Sioux City Journal
8 January 2017

LAWTON, Iowa | Martin "Mike" Ketelsen, 81, of Lawton, died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017, at his home surrounded by family.

Services will be 10:30 am Tuesday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be in Banner Township Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and rosary to follow, at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Martin "Mike" was born March 5, 1935, in Anthon, Iowa, on the Ketelsen farm, the son of Jens and Viva (Parker) Ketelsen. He attended county school Kedron No. 5 and the Anthon Public Schools, graduating in 1953.

Mike married Elaine (Schwaller) on Oct. 19, 1955, at St. Martins Church in Odebolt, Iowa. He worked as a hired man on several farms before going to Wilson Trailer Company in Sioux City. While employed, he joined the Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union 1456, where he held several offices for many years.

He joined the Knights of Columbus, was an active member and held many offices. Mike was proud to be a Knight and enjoyed flipping pancakes at the Woodbury County Fair for 23 years. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, dancing, along with watching his grandchildren play sports while eating a bag of popcorn, peanut M&Ms, and a bottle of Coca-Cola.

Mike is survived by his wife, Elaine; four children, Benjamin of Mitchell, S.D., Donita of Lawton, Laura (Mike) Richards of Lawton, and Marcy (Cory) Courtright of Le Mars; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary Ketelsen of Anthon; and brother-in-law, Philip (Joyce) Sanderson of Moville.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Christian and John Hans; two sisters, Catherine King and Lucia Sanderson; and one grandson, Brandon Ketelsen.