Obituary of LeRoy Andrew Kelchen

DYERSVILLE, IOWA LeRoy A. Kelchen, 80, of Dyersville passed away Saturday, December 21, 2019, at MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque. Visitation will be held from 2 - 7 p.m. Monday, December 23, 2019, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9 - 10 a.m. Tuesday prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Tyler Raymond will officiate. LeRoy was born June 21, 1939, in Worthington, IA, the son of Peter and Florence (Leigh) Kelchen. He married Roselyn Boge on April 15, 1963, in Dyersville, Iowa. They spent 56 years together. During that time he loved her and was very protective of her. They walked together through all of life's challenges and celebrations. He and Roselyn farmed east of Dyersville since 1965, and he worked for Charles Hermsen Implement for 34 years. LeRoy loved playing eucher, spending time with family and all things IH. Survivors include his wife, Roselyn, children: Bruce (Marcia) Kelchen of New Vienna, Bryan (Shelley) Kelchen of Dyersville, Kyle (Mary Jo) Kelchen of Epworth, Laura Kelchen of Marion, 2 daughters-in-law, Lori Kelchen of Asbury and Tina Kelchen of Bellevue; grandchildren: Jacob, Joshua, James and Kaitlin Kelchen, Mark (Amanda), Travis (Kylie), and Tyler (Aspen) Kelchen, Shelby, Cody (fiancé Vanessa Franklin), Lucas and Anthony Kelchen, Cole and Nick Kelchen, Emma, Nicole, Shane and Tate Kelchen; great grandchildren: Sawyer, Tayah and Stella Kelchen; siblings: Elsie Althoff of Earlville and Harold (Pearl) Kelchen of Cedar Rapids; in-laws: Roseanne Kelchen and Mary Kelchen, both of Edgewood, Norma Kelchen of Manchester, Vernon (Sheila) Boge and Donald Boge, both of Dyersville. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Charles and Emily (Recker) Boge, 2 sons, Lyle and Mitchell Kelchen, a daughter, Loretta Kelchen; siblings: Ernie (Erma and Marianne) Kelchen, Lloyd Kelchen, Eugene Kelchen, Leon (Dixie) Kelchen, Gerald Kelchen, Verna Kelchen and Grace (Clete) Burkle, and a brother-in-law, Emil Althoff. LeRoy loved playing eucher, spending time with family and all things IH. He often said if it's not red leave it in the shed. He bantered with his sons about which was better, IH or John Deere He loved driving in the tractor parades in town. He enjoyed going on the tractor rides during the summer. He enjoyed driving his Ranger around the farm and the neighborhood. He loved working at Charles Hermsen Implement. He worked there for about 34 years. He loved working with the many people he came in contact with. He loved the challenge of loading as much equipment as possible on the trailer and avoiding any "blue jackets". He talked about the delivery trips he took, the things he saw, and the different routes he drove. On Wednesday he retraced some of those routes with his wife and daughter. And even though it had been many years since he had traveled those roads he knew where he was going. He gave his daughter the directions from memory and pointed out many places he had visited in years past. He talked about the machinery he had picked up or delivered in various areas. He recalled a barn that he had wanted his wife to see. The barn had many barn quilts on it. He was delighted when he found it on Wednesday. He said "See I knew it was here". He talked about Charles Hermsen and how their relationship had evolved into best friends. He loved going out to lunch with him after he retired so they could catch up on the latest things happening in their lives. He instilled in others the love of farm life. Throughout the years he spent time with his wife, children and grandchildren on the farm. He spent time doing chores, working in the field and driving his Ranger around the farm. He loved to tell them stories about the things he pulled when he was growing up. He would brag about his driving skills, the stunts he pulled with his twin brother and his life growing up with all of his brothers and sisters. One of the things he was good at and love doing was story telling. He also used to love singing. Earlier this year when he was playing cards and listening to music with his wife and daughter he started singing and even though it had been many years he knew the lyrics. He recalled many dances he and his wife had been to and people they visited with there. He loved country and polka music. He loved spending time with his sons. He spent time with them going to tractor shows, races, and touring the countryside. He bragged about what each of his children were up to and their latest family additions. In the past few years he has witnessed marriages, engagements and graduations. He also grieved the loss of 2 sons, Lyle and Mitch in the past 2 years. He loved meeting his 3 new great granddaughters, Sawyer, Tayah and Stella this year. He was a very proud grandfather and great grandfather. He talked about his grandchildren often. He bragged about what each of them were up to. He glowed when he talked about them and the things they did together. Whether it was working around the farm or playing cards he valued his time and relationships with each one. And last but certainly not least he loved his wife. On Thursday he talked to his brother in law Vern about how he met her and that he had proposed on the 3rd date. They married on April 15th 1963 at the Basilica of St Francis Xavier. They spent 56 years together. During that time he loved her and was very protective of her. They walked together through all of life's challenges and celebrations. He has now joined his daughter Loretta, his sons Lyle and Mitchell, his parents Pete and Florence, his brothers Ernie, Llyod, Gene, Leon, Gerry, his sisters Grace and Verna and his mother and father in law Charles and Emily Boge in heaven. He is rejoining them in love and peace. His burdens are gone, his life is now complete, he has moved on to his eternal reward. He is celebrating with his family and friends who have gone before him. They are without a doubt they are swapping stories, laughing and playing cards.