Le Roy Kellen, 84, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, March 28, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars, Iowa. Father Kevin Richter will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors conducted by Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Visitation will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. with a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to Mass on Tuesday.

After a full and happy 84 years on this earth, Le Roy Nicholas Kellen, entered into eternal joy with Jesus Christ peacefully surrounded by his family. Lee found true enjoyment from the talents of his hands. First working the grounds farming then woodworking, but his true love was his wife Vi.
Lee was born June 6, 1929, on a farm north of Le Mars, the first born son of Steve & Frances (Kemp) Kellen. He attended 12 years of school at St. Joseph's in Le Mars and worked with his dad and brothers on the farm.
In December, 1950, he enlisted in the U.S Air force. After completing basic training at Scott Air Force base in St. Louis, and being stationed in Burtonwood, England for 4 years, he was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant.
When he returned from service, he initially worked for Meis Seed & Feed. On April 28, 1955 he married the love of his life, Vi Langel and a year later began farming. He farmed for 57 years, the first few years in Struble, then moved to Le Mars and in 1991 retired from full time farming but took the role as “upper management” to the “boys” farm operation until his last breath. Area farmers will miss seeing him drive the country roads in his red Chevy pickup. While farming he also drove trucks for Anthony Trucking and did electrical work on the side. In 1981, Lee co-founded MARK Crop Insurance and retired from the insurance business in 1995 at which time according to him he became “the assistant to the pope”. In retirement he took pride in woodworking projects, building things for his family and was honored in making the altar for the Gehlen Catholic Schools chapel.
He was a lifetime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was active in many roles, lector, extra ordinary minister, usher, rosary leader and participated in several advisory boards. He was also a strong supporter of Gehlen Catholic Schools where he gave unselfishly of his time, talent and treasures. Lee and Vi were honored recipients of the 2013 Spirit of Peter Gehlen award. A great enjoyment was watching his grandchildren participate in sports, as well as watching Gehlen and his St. Louis Cardinal baseball games. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Council 1466 for 66 years achieving the rank of third-degree knight and also serving as past Grand Knight. While Lee often remained anonymous in his leadership, he inspired others to be servant leaders for both Gehlen Catholic Schools and the community.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vi Kellen and seven children Barb (Dreckman) and Mark Nieman, Ann Marie(David) Linder, Chuck (Kay) Kellen, Lori Ritz, Kristi (Joe) Van Dam, Bruce(Pam) Kellen, Kathy (Bob) Nilles, 22 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 3 more blessing on the way. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Don (Mary Jane) Kellen, Richard (Norrine) Kellen, Margaret (Meg) Alesch, Anita (Dick) Heidesch, MaryEllen (Jim) Wittkop, Pat (Harry) Carl, Diane Cook, and in-laws, Leonard (Butts) Langel, MaryLou Straub, Joyce Langel, Millie Langel and Dick Tierney.
He was greeted in heaven by his parents, Steve and Frances (Kemp) Kellen, his son-in-law, Tim Dreckman, father and mother-in-law, Leo and Pauline Langel and other family members Syb and Babe Anthony, Bob and Glenis Kellen, Jim Alesch, John Cook, 4 siblings in infancy along with Clarence and Julie Langel, Ardy Langel, Donald and Harriet Langel, Roman and Clarice Langel, Richard Langel, Marvin Langel, Bernice Tierney and Leonard Straub.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials are directed to Gehlen Catholic Schools or Hospice of Siouxland.

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