John Julius Ketelsen

John J. Ketelsen, 65, of Sloan, Iowa passed away unexpectedly October 22, 2022 at his residence.

A memorial service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Skien Lutheran Church, Albaton, Iowa (rural Sloan, Iowa) with Pastor Catie Newman, officiating. A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with John’s obituary. A private family scattering ceremony will be held at a later date. A memorial visitation will be 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 27, 2022 at the church with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. with Pastor Craig Bock and Pastor Catie Newman, officiating and a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 P.M. with Steve Jewett as orator. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

John Julius Ketelsen was born February 20, 1957 in Everly, Iowa, the son of Elden and Helen (Meyn) Ketelsen. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Everly High School in 1975. He continued his education at Western Iowa Technical Community College, attaining a vocational degree. He worked for a private aviation company at the Sioux City Airport for over thirty years.

John and Danet Lindsey were united into marriage in 1988. To this union three children were born: Nicholas Elden, Katie Louise and Emily Helen. He was a proud father; never missing a sporting event or school activity. They were the greatest joy of his life.

John enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, playing cribbage and having coffee with friends. He was a kind, humble and generous friend to many and always saw the good in others and in life. He was also an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Iowa Hawkeye fan.

 John was a devoted member of both Skien Lutheran Church in Albaton, Iowa and the Attica Lodge #502 A.F. & A.M. in Sloan, Iowa.

Those that loved him include his children, Nicholas Ketelsen of San Diego, California, Katie Graskewicz and her husband Tyler of Nashville, Tennessee and Emily Ketelsen of Nashville, Tennessee; loving granddaughter, Penelope “Poppy LouLou” Graskewicz of Nashville, Tennessee and an expected grandchild in January 2023; two sisters: Jeanie MacDonald and her husband Ray of Everly, Iowa and Ellen Meyn and her husband John York of Reno, Nevada; brother-in-law, John Tock, of Orange City, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Chancy, Cheyanne, Tanner, Ross, Ashley, James, Laurel, Joanna, Debbie, David, Valerie, Travis, David, Drew, Brendan and Olivia; many great-nieces and nephews; and several other cousins, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Ann Tock.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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