Hank Ketelsen

Henry “Hank” Ketelsen was born August 10, 1932, the son of Hans and Ella Ketelsen. He passed away Satuarday, March 7, 2015, at the Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of eighty-two.
Hank was born on a farm near Charter Oak, Iowa. He was baptized September 18, 1932 and confirmed on April 14, 1946 at St. John Lutheran Church, Charter Oak, Iowa. He received his education at St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Charter Oak High School in 1950. After completing his education he worked for Art Benningsdorf at the Standard Station in Charter Oak. He was united in marriage to Colleen Quandt on June 6, 1954 at St. John by Rev. W.P. Schroeder. The couple made their home on a farm near Charter Oak and farmed for a few years. They moved to Charter Oak in 1964 and Hank went back to work for Art Benningsdorf and later for LeVerne Benningsdorf in the Standard Station on Highway 141. In 1966, Hank purchased the Standard tank wagon from Russell Staley and became an oil jobber and owner of Ketelsen Oil Company. Also worked at Leders Salvage and was a driver for Eventide Lutheran Home and the Denison Care Center for ten years.
He did some watch repair and was informally trained in knowing how to look for serial numbers etc. Attended auctions around the area and when traveling would have to stop and check them out. Hank and Colleen loved to travel especially to Hawaii and Phoenix. Hank was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. He was a life long member of St. John Lutheran Church where he served as Elder, treasurer of the LLL, and in his earlier years was on the board of St. John’s Lutheran School. He was also a member of the Charter Oak Commercial Club, Charter Oak Community Club, and Historical Society.
Hank was preceded in death by his parents; two sons in infancy; and three brothers, Elmer, Merle and Darrell. Survivors include his wife, Colleen; one son, Keith; two grandchildren; one sister, Rosemary; one brother, Elvin and his wife, LaJean; sister-in-law, Sherry; other relatives and friends.