Le Mars, Iowa – Viola “Vi” Kellen, of Le Mars, Iowa, entered into eternal joy with Jesus Christ after a full and happy 85 years on this earth peacefully surrounded by her family at her home on Wednesday, February 28, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Parish-St. Joseph Church in Le Mars. Father Bruce Lawler will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 5, 2018 at the church with a Rosary at 4 p.m. and a Scriptural Prayer service at 7 p.m. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the Mass on Tuesday at the church. T
On November 14, 1932, on a farm east of Le Mars, Leo and Pauline (Rolfes) Langel were blessed with a beautiful loving daughter, Viola Mary. She was one of nine children. Vi attended and graduated from St. Joseph School in Le Mars.
On April 28, 1955, she married the love of her life, LeRoy Nicholas Kellen and began their farming lives together. She was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where she was active in many roles, member of the Josephine’s, the choir, adoration, and Eucharistic minister. She was a strong supporter of Gehlen Catholic Schools where she gave unselfishly of her time, talent and treasures. Lee and Vi were honored recipients of the 2013 Spirit of Peter Gehlen award. A great enjoyment was watching her grandchildren participate in sports and school programs. While Vi often remained anonymous in her works, she inspired others to be servant leaders for both Gehlen Catholic Schools and the church. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Christian Mothers.
Vi was a fabulous cook and very much enjoyed cooking for her family. She was most famous for her chocolate chip cookies and sweet rolls. All her recipes were made with a “scosche” more of love. Vi loved being a mother and grandmother, but her true love was her husband “My LeRoy”. Faith, Family and Friends was what she lived for.
She loved to volunteer at Gehlen Catholic School, All Saints St. Joesph Catholic Church and Floyd Valley Hospital. She also loved to play cards, golfing, line dancing, singing in the church choir and making elaborate meals. Some of her best times were “holy hour” and “group therapy” with friends and her KellenGirlGetaways with her daughters and granddaughters to celebrate her birthday.
She is survived by her seven children, Barb (Mark) Nieman, Ann Marie (David) Linder, Chuck (Kay) Kellen, Lori Ritz, Kristi (Joe) Van Dam, Bruce (Pam) Kellen, Kathy (Bob) Nilles; 22 grandchildren and 35 great- grandchilden. She is also survived by her sister Mary Lou Straub, and in-laws, Joyce Langel, Millie Langel, Richard Tierney, Don (Mary Jane) Kellen, Richard (Norrine) Kellen, Margaret (Meg) Alesch, Anita (Richard) Heidesch, MaryEllen (Jim) Wittkop and Pat Carl.
She was greeted in heaven by her beloved husband, LeRoy; her parents Leo and Pauline (Rolfes) Langel; her son-in-law, Tim Dreckman; father and mother-in-law, Steve and Frances Kellen and other family members, Clarence and Julie Langel, Leonard and Ardy Langel, Donald and Harriet Langel, Roman and Clarice Langel, Richard and Olga Langel, Marvin Langel, Bernice Tierney, Leonard Straub, Syb and Babe Anthony, Robert and Glenis Kellen, Jim Alesch, Diane and John Cook and Harry Carl.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be directed to Gehlen Catholic Schools Lee & Vi Kellen Technology Fund or Hospice of Siouxland.
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