Robert Ketelle, 84

Robert “Bob” Harlan Ketelle, age 84 of Osakis, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, surrounded by his family.

Bob was born April 19, 1928 in Villard to Harlan and Opal (Ewing) Ketelle. He graduated from Osakis High School in 1946. On July 2, 1952 Bob was united in marriage to Lois Mielke at Osakis Lutheran Church. They raised their family and farmed for many years just northwest of Osakis overlooking the lake. Bob and his brother, Bryce also operated a trucking business together, hauling cattle to South St. Paul. They milked a large herd of dairy cows and did custom combining, working together for more than 60 years.

Besides his love for nature and the outdoors, Bob also enjoyed horses, deer hunting and early morning coffee and dice with his friends.

Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lois Ketelle of Osakis; children, Tony (Stephanie) Ketelle of Osakis and Karleen (Patrick) Cox of Waite Park; grandchildren, Jason (Tiffany) Schwieger, Timothy Schwieger, Jessica, Taryn and Jakob Cox, Mike (Nadine) Walz, Megan (Chad) Thompson, Austin (Allison Weiler) Walz; four great-grandchildren, Bailee Rose Schwieger, Hunter Walz, Isabelle Waltzing and Emmet Thompson; two sisters-in-law, June Jesse of Carrington, ND and Marlys (Jim) Jensen of Big Fork, MT; three brothers-in-law, Clarence (Dorene) Mielke of Osakis, Reynold “Bub” Howard of Edmonds, WA and Hilmer “Red” (Etta) Lien of Breese, IL; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; infant great-grandson, Traven Ketelle Cox; brother and sister-in-law, Bryce and Eleanor Ketelle; and two sisters, Marion “Poots” Lien and Dema Howard.

Funeral services for Bob were held Tuesday, May 22 at Lake Community Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Ron Berget officiating. Musicians were Ramona and Joy Ranstron. Interment will be at West Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis at a later date. Honorary pallbearers are Glen Barber, Mike Barber, Leon Curtis, Darrell Schultz, Dave Thieschafer, Dean Muehlenhardt, Bryan Withers, Brian Helberg, Brian Niehoff, Ray Rutten, Ben Zacher, David Schultz, Tessmer Johnson and Jim Morisette.

Arrangements are with Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis; www.royhetland.com.

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Tags: obituaries, osakis