Thomas Julius Ketelsen

Thomas Ketelsen, of rural Montevideo, died on Saturday August 3, 1996 at his home at the age of 78.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday August 7, 1996 at 1:00 P.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Warren Broughton officiating.  Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday afternoon and evening  and with the family from 6:30 - 8:00 P.M. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Thomas Julius Ketelsen was born on  November 1, 1917  to Hans and Johanna (Rohwedder) Ketelsen in Lac Qui Parle Co, MN.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Montevideo and attended rural schools.  He served in the US Army Air Corp during WW II.  He was united in marriage to Verna Gates on April 15, 1941 in Montevideo. He attended Dunwoody Institute and became an electrician, working for REC for about 15 years.  He served as a state electrical inspector for about 20 years before retiring in 1980.  He also farmed from 1952 until his retirement.  He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, the American Legion and the VFW.  He had a passion for woodworking, had an interest in nature and trees and loved to nurture the land.

He is survived by his wife - Verna; by a son - Arlen and his wife Connie of West Des Moines, IA; by a daughter - Linda Burdorf and her husband Bruce of Montevideo; by grandchildren - Scott Burdorf and his wife Victoria; Jill Burdorf; Jessica and Aaron Ketelsen; and by great grandchildren - Alexander and Christopher Burdorf; by sisters - Margaret Wanke of Wabasso, MN; Elsa "Jimmie" Koepke of Marshall, MN; and Dorothy Wilson of Montevideo, MN; as well as numerous nieces , nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by a sister - Anita Roggatz; and by brothers - George, Walter "Bill"; and Louis Ketelsen.