Verna Floriene (Gates) Ketelsen

Verna Ketelsen of Montevideo, died October 1, 2002 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 84.

Funeral services were Friday, October 4, 2002 at 11:00 A.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Donald McKee and Rev. Lois Knutson officiating.  Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Verna Floriene (Gates) Ketelsen was born on April 15, 1918 in Dawson, MN to Leo and Mabel (Johnson) Gates.  She was baptized at Lac Qui Parle Lutheran Church of rural Dawson, MN, confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Montevideo and attended rural schools.  On April 15, 1941 she was united in marriage to Thomas Ketelsen in Montevideo. They made their home in the Montevideo area, where she lived the remainder of her life.  She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and active in circle and women’s activities.  She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, Degree of Honor Lodge, a birthday club and a craft group.  She enjoyed her home, sewing, dancing, hand crafts and being with her family and friends.  She was currently a resident at Luther Haven Nursing Home.

She is survived 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 ; Jill Burdorf; Jessica and Aaron Ketelsen; and by great grandchildren - Alexander, Christopher and Katherine Burdorf; by sisters - Marvis Ketelsen and Phyllis Gates of Montevideo; a brother, Russell Gates of Albert Lea, MN; sisters - in - law, Maggie Gates of Faribault, MN; Dorothy Wilson and Elsie Ketelsen of Montevideo; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas in 1996 and by a brother, Benton “Bud” Gates.