"Jay, very sorry to hear about your dad. I know how close you were to him and that you have some great memories. I'm guessing he taught you everything you knew about shooting pool! Hope to see you and the family soon, maybe on your next visit to Alabama or, better, to Michigan...Patrick and family"
In loving memory of
John "Jack" Ketterer
August 23, 1930 - May 5, 2015
John W. Ketterer (Jack), of 6549 Scottsdale Way in Frisco, Texas, died on Tuesday, May 5, at Baylor Regional Medical Center in Plano, Texas. He was 84 years old. Prior to moving to Texas with his daughter, Julie, in 2012, Jack lived in Ft. Madison, Iowa, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and Keokuk, Iowa.
Jack was born at home at 1012 Palean Street, to John J. and Nellie A. Schamper Ketterer on August 23, 1930. He attended St. Mary's grade school, and graduated from Keokuk Senior High, where he was a member of the football team. Jack met the love of his life, Jean L. Grogan, in a soda shop during high school. They were married on January 30, 1950, raised four children, and spent forty-seven wonderful years together before Jean passed away in 1997.
Jack worked in management in the natural gas business for 34 years, in both Iowa and Minnesota. He was an active man with many interests, such as hunting, fishing, welding, automobile body work, and University of Iowa football and basketball. Jack learned both his work ethic and the meat business from his father and great-uncle at what was later Ketterer's Meat Market on Main Street, and he was well-known in southeast Iowa for his home-made wieners and bologna. Jack was an active and playful grandpa who pulled his grandkids on sleds behind a tractor, mowed ATV trails through cornfields for them to follow, and lifted them up in a front end loader to pick apples. Among other things, Jack will be remembered for his sense of humor and hospitality, his love and natural talent for all things mechanical, and his devotion to his family.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, his brother Frank, and his parents, John and Nellie Ketterer. He is survived by his son, John (Jay) Ketterer and wife Ivania of Tegucigalpas, Honduras; daughter Jan Freshwater and husband Gus, of Frisco, Texas; son Jeff Ketterer and wife Lynda, of Pearland, Texas; and daughter Julie Ketterer of Frisco, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren Patricia Freshwater Poole and husband Eric, of Dallas, Texas; Jill Freshwater Lange and husband David of Richardson, Texas; Genevieve Ketterer of Dallas, Texas; John (Jack) Ketterer of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Megan Ketterer, Samantha Ketterer and John Ketterer of Pearland, Texas; and great-grandchildren Emily Poole of Dallas, Texas, and Ethan Lange of Richardson, Texas. Jack is also survived by his brother Tom Ketterer and his sister Katherine Howes of Keokuk, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be held after 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers at 1212 Concert Street, with family meeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. A Christian vigil service will be held after the visitation at 8 PM.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk, with the Reverend Robert Lathrop officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery in Keokuk.
The family is very grateful to Dr. Richard Dobyns and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and to Dr. Mahenaaz Haq and her staff in Plano, Texas, for the wonderful care given to Jack over the years. Donations can be made to the University of Iowa Hospital; Organ Transplant Center
200 Hawkins Drive, SE 400-GH. Iowa City, IA 52242-1009. Att: Angie Korsun.
Tributes
"Sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. He was always good with all the kids growing up on Palean st. Jay, I remember playing ball in your backyard while we tried to copy the batting stances of our favorite Keokuk Cardinal players. My condolences to you all in your loss."
"Jeff, Jan, Jay and Julie: Out thoughts and prayers to the family. I will always have the great memories of our growing up together and enjoyed the time spend at your house and being around your parents. I also had the pleasure to work with Jack at the gas company for several years and will always remember those days. Gary & Jo Collins"
"My condolences; we enjoyed growing up across Palean Street and visiting with Jack and Jean and the kids."
"Jay, Jeff, Jan and Julie, Some of my fondest memories during my early years in the gas industry were with your father. From the Iowa hunting trips to serving up hundreds of smoked turkeys....we had a lot of fun together back in the day. While Jack will be greatly missed, my memories of our time together will live on. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Joe "
"Jack hired me to work for him at Keokuk Gas Service Co. the day I got out of the Navy in June 1070. Taught me a lot about pipeline welding and welding on live natural gas lines. Thanks Jack, "
"Jean and Johnny were my best friends. Their family was my family. Love them and will miss them. They Will live on in their wonderful amazing children. Alta "
"Jay, So sorry to hear of your father's passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and your family during this time."