Kellar, Corinne (1925 - 2026)

KELLAR, MILLER, MEDLIN, RUSSELL, WILD, RABE, CARLSON, EAGEN, BENGARD, COPELAND, BARND, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 2/26/2026 at 15:17:40

Name of deceased: Corinne Kellar

Aged: 100 yrs, 4 mo, 14 days

Residence: Danbury, WI (formerly of Exira, IA)

Born: Sep. 1, 1925; Hamlin, Audubon County, IA

Died: Jan. 15, 2026; Shell Lake Health Care Center, Shell Lake, Washburn County, WI.

Funeral services: Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026; Schmidt Family Funeral Home, Exira, IA; burial was in the Exira Cemetery, Exira, IA

Survived by: Daughter, Pamela (spouse, Phil) Miller; son, Dennis Kellar; daughter, Patricia (spouse, Charles) Medlin; grandchildren, Michael (spouse, Kristine) Kellar, Brian Miller, Scott Kellar, Kathryn (spouse, Keith) Russell, David (spouse, Erica) Miller, Anne Marie (spouse, Brian) Wild, and Ruth Medlin; 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Barbara Rabe, Alice Carlson, and Roger Eagen; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Harry and Cynthia (nee Bengard) Eagen; husband, Gerald (deceased Feb. 1976); brother, Robert Eagen; brothers-in-law, Lewis Carlson, Fred Rabe, and Robert Kellar Sr; sisters-in-law, Peggy (nee Copeland) Kellar, Harriet (nee Barnd) Eagen, and Edna (nee Christensen) Eagen

Education: Graduated from Indianola High School, Indianola, IA; after, she took stenography courses in Des Moines, IA

Religious affiliation: Was a long-time member of the Lutheran Church

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Gerald DeWayne Kellar; 1946; location not provided

Employment: Worked as a secretary for Hawkeye Insurance Co. in Des Moines, IA; after the U. S. entered WWII, Corinne traveled to California to work at Food Mechanics Corporation in Los Angeles which made amphibious tanks. The company earned the Army/Navy “E” award or the Excellence in War Production Award, was created to encourage the production of materials needed for the United States’ complete military mobilization effort. The “E” Awards program began in July 1942, as an honor presented to the top performers of the civilian war industry during World War II. Winning plants flew a blue and red pennant; employees received enamel lapel pins. After her husband’s death in 1976, Corinne worked at several jobs, but eventually became a Reserve Librarian at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN until she retired.

Hobbies/Interests: Was a charter member of the Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, IA; her work in a war plant during WWII allowed her to join the Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA) when she moved to Sun City, AZ. Enjoyed bird watching, reading, playing the piano, needlepoint, genealogy, and gardening--- especially growing roses.

Sources: Schmidtfamilyfh.com