Arvella Kellen

Arvella Kellen died Monday, January 8, 2024 at Johnson Memorial Care Center in Dawson at the age of 90.

Memorial services will be held sometime this summer.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Arvella Kellen was born on November 10, 1933, in Walter Township, Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Adolph & Martha (Brandt) Schlosser. Arvella was baptized and confirmed in Zion Lutheran Church-Arena Township.  Arvella attended school in District #98 Walter Township in the 1st grade, she then attended school in district #70 Arena Township from 2nd grade to 8th grade. She went on to school at the Madison Public School for 9th & 10th grade. Arvella taught summer school for 1 week & was a religious sub teacher.

Arvella was united in marriage to Robert Kellen on February 9, 1953, at St Michael’s Church in Madison, MN. Arvella helped Robert farm while raising 7 children. Their first farm place was outside of Madison, MN on Highway 40 where they resided from fall of 1954 to Spring of 1967. From there they moved to a farm southwest of Madison along HWY 212. They resided there from 1967 to 1989. They both had a busy life raising 30,000 chickens & farming. After school she would tell us to have a snack & go out to pick eggs. We had to do this at least 3 times a day. In February 1989, moved to Dawson, MN and built a new house. They moved into it in August of 1989.  Arvella was a member of the St James Catholic Church in Dawson, MN where she served as an usher at times.

Arvella loved spending time with her family. Arvella & Robert did everything together. She was a very loving, kind, caring person that always put her family first. She always wanted to know what was going on in our lives to make sure we were all very happy.  She had many hobbies like baking (homemade fresh bread, buns & pies), gardening, which included a large cucumber patch, cross stitching, attending to her flowers, and helping Robert with his hobby of making wooden toys. They both traveled to many states. She was a very well-organized person right down to making our gathering very special. When the family would get together, she always wanted to play games or cards. She loved playing cards.  She planned our family reunion each year from 1989-2000. We planned a lot of camping trips for our reunion & all the families helped to make the meals.

Arvella was involved in many activities. She was a Farm Union member, and a member of Heritage Hill where Mom & Dad worked in the kitchen for years. She was a 4-H leader, a member of the VFW Post 5247 as a lifetime member in Dawson MN, a member of American Legion post in Dawson, MN, Ladies VFW Auxiliary, Mix & Fix Homemakers Club in Madison, MN, Livewires Homemaker Club in Dawson, MN, Lac Qui Parle Horticultural Society & in 1996 was awarded the Eldred Buer Memorial Award. Arvella was Vice-President in 1999 & 2000. She received the St. James Catholic United Financial Community Service award in 2012.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Robert, and her children:  Diana (Nick) Allen of Milbank, SD; Brenda (Lannie) Ashling of Dawson, MN; Belinda (Dave) Myers of Dawson, MN; Michael (Annette) Kellen of Arlington, SD; James (Carmen) Kellen of Dawson, MN; Myron (Deb) Kellen of Sioux City, IA; and Dennis (Sadie) Kellen of Madison, MN. 16 Grandchildren and 29 Great Grandchildren. 1 Great-great Grandchild on the way, niece LuAnn Hansen; nephews Alan Redepenning & Arlen Redepenning.

Arvella is preceded in death by her parents, Adolph & Martha Schlosser; a grandson, Daniel Kellen; a brother, Melvin Schlosser; and a sister, Delores Redepenning.

Blessed be her memory.

Condolence or cards can be sent to:

Robert Kellen at Johnson Memorial Care Center

1282 Walnut St, Dawson, MN 56232 Ph# 320-312-7785