Ted Ketelsen

Ted Ketelsen, the son of Harold "Hap" and Frances (Stelk) Ketelsen, was born November 25, 1934, in Everly, IA. His childhood years were spent in Clay County where he received his education in Spencer Schools, graduating from Spencer High School in 1952. Following his schooling he entered the military and served with the U.S. Air Force. On June 27, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Valerie Clausen, while he was on leave from the Air Force. Ted and Val moved around the country while he was in the military. Upon his honorable discharge in 1957, they moved back to Spencer. In 1959, they moved to the Ketelsen family farm north of Everly where they farmed. In 1966, their family moved to Wheatland, WY, where they ranched alongside his father, Hap. In 1973, they moved back to the family farm where they remained until their retirement in 1999. That same year, Ted and Val moved to Lake Okoboji, a childhood dream for both of them. Ted enjoyed golfing, gun collecting, traveling, socializing and grilling. He prided himself as being an expert in the aging and preparation of an A-1 steak. Ted passed away at his lake home in Spirit Lake, IA on Thursday, December 16, 2010, at the age of 76. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hap and Fran; one brother, Tim; his wife, Val on August 27, 2007; two sons: Chris and Tony; and one grandson, Chad. Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters: Lori VerMeer and her husband, Lyle of Westminster, CO, and Lisa VerMeer and her husband, Duane of Okoboji, IA; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; one sister, Joyce Wampler of Washington State; a special friend, Carmen DeKoster; 13 great-granddogs; other relatives and friends.

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