Eugene W. "Gene" Kelch
Memorial contributions can be made in Gene's name to Hospice of the Heartland, 1519 S. Phillips St., Algona, Iowa 50511. Eugene William Kelch was born March 2, 1939, in Corwith, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Alice (Schaller) Kelch. He grew up on a farm near Corwith where he also attended school and graduated from the Corwith High School in 1957. He went on to attend Iowa State University for one year before he returned to Corwith to begin farming. On May 28, 1960, Gene was united in marriage to Sharon Gourley at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. Following their marriage they lived and farmed near Corwith until moving to Algona in 1993. Gene was a husband, father, farmer and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren and attending their many events as they grew up, as well as fishing, hunting and woodcarving. Gene also did a lot of barbecuing and had the honor of cooking for then Vice President George H.W. Bush when he visited Corwith on August 1, 1987. Gene was on the Corwith Coop Board of Directors, serving 17 of them as the Chairman. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Algona Council #952 servin...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
s Grand Knight from 2000-2002. Gene died Friday, May 10, 2013, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center. He was 74. He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Algona; children, Reggie and Lisa Kelch of Belton, MO; Roberta and Craig Meyers of Algona; Reese and Cristi Kelch of Orange City; grandchildren: Collin and Melissa Kelch, Carolyn Kelch, Meredith and John Reding, Alyse, Aubrie and Kaylyn Meyers, Brandon and Jacob Solsma and Avery Kelch; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Annalise and Emmett Kelch. Also surviving are siblings, Margaret and Don Wood of Indianola; Donna and Larry Maher of Mount Pleasant; Duane and Ruth Ann Kelch of Hampton; Jerry Kelch of Washington, D.C.; David and Mary Beth Kelch of Iowa City; brother-in-law, Jay and Nancy Gourley of Corwith; an aunt, Helen Schaller DeSart of Lake City and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Kelch.
