John "Jack" V. Kellen

Sibley, IA

     “Jack” V. Kellen age 82 of Sibley, Iowa died peacefully with his family by his side in his home, on Saturday, August 15, 2020.

     A Private Family Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 21^st at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sibley, IA, with Father Siby Punnoose as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Sibley.

     The Kellen family will be planning a Celebration of Life for extended family and friends at a later date.

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

     John “Jack” V. Kellen was born December 28, 1937 in Pipestone, Minnesota, the son of Nicholas and Beulah (Vaughn) Kellen. He was raised on a farm near Woodstock, MN, and attended school in Woodstock until his 9^th grade year and continued through graduation at Edgerton High School.

     Jack was united in marriage to Catherine Buysse on December 30, 1958 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Pipestone, MN. They began living in Little Rock, IA, while Jack drove truck for Leland Zylstra. In 1961 they moved to Sibley, IA and Jack and his brother, Bob, started Kellen Brothers Trucking hauling baulk milk. From 1974 to 1978, Jack owned and operated Jack’s Service & Repair in Sibley, IA. He later worked for Wills and Mouw trucking companies. After retirement, he hauled fertilizer for Roetzel Trucking. He also did small engine repair in his home shop and occasionally volunteered his neighborly services helping out people who looked to him for his guidance.

     Jack was an active member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sibley. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching the Twins and Vikings. But mostly he enjoyed his family whom he was very proud of and always looked forward to family gatherings.

   Jack was diagnosed with cancer and fought it for almost five years. He lost his fight on Saturday, August 15, 2020, where he died at the age of 82.

     Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Catherine Kellen of Sibley, IA; six children, Lori Monier (special friend, Jim Rassel) of Marcus, IA, Patricia (Tormod) Evenson of Red Wing, MN, Paul (Sheri) Kellen of Cottage Grove, MN, Stacey (Daniel) Lonneman of Ashton, IA, Terri (Craig) Block of Dakota Dunes, SD and Georgia (Moises) Perez Marin of Madrid, Spain; thirteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Kellen of Yankton, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Beulah Kellen; son, Jeffrey Kellen; brother, Donald Kellen; sister-in-law, Viola Kellen; sister-in-law, Mary Lou and son-in-law, Kelly Monier.