Valerie Ketelsen

Valerie Jean Ketelsen, the daughter of Homer and Lucille (Brown) Clausen was born on February 23, 1937 in Spencer, IA. As a young girl, Val was very involved in various activities, including 4-H. She, along with her sister, Barbara and father, Homer showed champion Shorthorn cattle at the Chicago Stock Show. On June 27, 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Ted Ketelsen, while he was on leave from the Air Force. Val and Ted 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. Val enjoyed helping Ted with their farming operation, where they raised their 4 children. In 1966, the family moved to Wheatland, WY where they ranched. These were the busy years, juggling the schedules of 4 active children and cooking for a large crew of ranch hands. In 1973, they moved back to the family farm, where they remained until their retirement in 1999. That same year, Val and Ted moved to Lake Okoboji, a childhood dream of Val's. Val was a fabulous cook, often entertaining family and friends by the dozens. She loved planting and nurturing her flowers, riding her jet ski and laughing with her two sisters who fondly referred to themselves as the Burlap Sisters. Throughout the years, Val was a devout Catholic, actively participating in both St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Catholic Church churches. She was truly a gift from God to her family and adored by her grandchildren who knew her as "Goggy". Val was a wonderful inspiration as she bravely fought her battle with Leukemia. She never complained and she never asked "Why?" Val passed away at the Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake, IA on August 27, 2007, at the age of 70. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons: Chris and Tony and one grandson, Chad. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ted of Spirit Lake, IA; two daughters: Lori VerMeer and her husband, Lyle of Denver, CO and Lisa VerMeer and her husband, Duane of Sheldon, IA; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters: Barbara Liebentritt and her husband, Art of Columbus, NE and Kathy Van Orsow and her husband, Tom of Fort Dodge, IA; one brother, Clem Clausen of Phoenix, AZ; other relatives and many many friends.

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