Obituary of Kenneth G Kelchen

Kenneth G. Kelchen, 63, of Dyersville, Iowa died Saturday, March 17, 2012, at his residence after a brief but courageous bout with cancer. Friends may call from 2 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville where a vigil service will be held at 3 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica with burial in the St. Paul's cemetery, Worthington, Iowa. Rev. Dennis Quint will officiate. Survivors include his wife, Linda, five children: Sean of Overland Park, KS, Kimberly (Javier) Arevalo of Phoenix, AZ, Kevin (Mimi) of Columbus, OH, Peter of Dyersville and Andrew of Overland Park, KS; siblings: Ron (Mickey) Kelchen of Dyersville, Dan "Duke" (Vickie) Kelchen and Mary (David) Benke both of Cascade, Joan (Rod) Meyer of Worthington, Bev (Bill) Hentges of St Louis, Mo., Deb (Al) Brunsmann of Dyersville, brother-in-law: Tom (Sheila) Hocking of Solon, Ia. and mother-in-law: Mary Hocking of Marion, Ia. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Jane Blank and father-in-law: Don Hocking. Ken was born August 10, 1948, the son of Alphonse and Germaine (Recker) Kelchen. He attended St. Paul's school where he was a member of the last graduating class. He married Linda M. Hocking on February 13, 1971 in Marion, Iowa. Ken farmed for many years in the Hopkinton/Worthington area and was an active member of the Delaware County Dairy Council where he served as president for two years. His love of the land never left him after leaving the farm; proof could be seen in his Sweet Corn. His faith was very important to him. After moving to Dyersville he became active in the Knights of Columbus, where he became a fourth degree knight and later served as Grand Knight of council 1734. He enjoyed his family, visiting his children and was an active volunteer in the community. Ken especially enjoyed sparring with a neighbor over the merits of "Red" vs. "Green" in tractors. Memorials are preferred Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.