Marie Kellen, 97 years old, a resident of Remsen for over 70 years, passed away July 5, 2013 in Spirit Lake Iowa.
Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 10 a.m. from St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Remsen, IA, with Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Visitation will be any time after 4 p.m. Monday, July 8, 2013. There will be a parish rosary at 5 p.m. & a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. all at Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.
Marie was born on June 16th, 1917 to Francis and Elizabeth Ludwig on their farm in Oyens, Iowa. She was joined soon before and after by 9 brothers and sisters
(Gordie, Ron, Eddie, Cletus, Betty, Elmer, Olivia, Fritz and Deloras). Sadly, all but Ron have passed on.
Marie met Verne Kellen at a dance in Alton, Iowa in 1937. They were married on 06/27/39 and settled in Remsen where they raised two children - Sue (who cancer took when she was just a young woman), and Mike along with their nephew Tom Wess. Marie and Verne were staples in Remsen commerce (Kellen’s Produce) as well as church (St. Mary’s Catholic Church) and community activity for the many years. They lived in Remsen until Verne passed away in 1987. His brothers and sisters too have all passed (Florence, Ray, Vic, Dorothy, Bob, Fritz, Evelyn, Lillian, Esther and Stan) – only Stan’s wife Lavonne remains. Collectively – to include the Ludwigs - their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their branches are spread all over this land and beyond. Indeed…Marie and her kin – direct and through marriage - have left a footprint – and we will remember. Marie continued the tradition of community and church activity through involvement in local social and church groups along with numerous other volunteer activities until she was well into her 90’s.
Marie is survived by her son Mike Kellen of Spirit Lake, IA, her bother Ron Ludwig (Alice) of Alton, IA, 5 grandchildren, Angela Eatinger (Edward) of Worthington, MN, Lisa Gravelle (Matt), Lori Goc (Tim), Debbie David (Tony), and Rick Heisler (Erin) all of Omaha, NE as well as numerous great (and great-great) grandchildren.