Eldora Ketelsen

Eldora M. Ketelsen was born July 22, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Agnes Soll Meggers. She died Wednesday, August 4, 2010, at the Denison Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of ninety.
Eldora was born near Manning, Iowa. She was baptized in Christ on September 4, 1921, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison by Rev. Frese. On December 20, 1936, she was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning by Rev. Ansorge. She attended school in Aspinwall until the 8th grade and graduated from Manilla High School in 1938. She taught school for one year at Willow Township #3.
On July 8, 1939, Eldora was united in marriage to Walter Ketelsen in Storm Lake. The couple made their home on a farm near Charter Oak and were blessed with the birth of five children. They lived on several farms in the Charter Oak area and then they retired and moved to Charter Oak in 1983. On July 16, 1989, they had the joy of celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who loved spending time with and caring for her family. She enjoyed playing cards and socializing with family and friends. Some of her favorite things to do included cooking, baking and gardening. She had the special honor of being a Century Farm owner. For 25 years she belonged to the Legion Auxiliary. As a member at St. John Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, she participated in various church activities.
Eldora was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Milo, in infancy; her husband, Walt, in 2003; one daughter, Donna, in 1996; three sisters, Irene Genzen, Bernice Travis and Norma Phipps; and one brother, Donald Meggers. Survivors include three sons: Phil Ketelsen and his wife, Jolene of Mapleton; Larry Ketelsen and his wife, Jan of Charter Oak; and Rick Ketelsen and his wife, Rhonda of Denison; one daughter, Janice Miller and her husband, Gene of Denison; son-in-law, Leo Jacobsen of Walnut, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.