"As my mother?s guy, Art, was so special. We loved knowing him. He loved Helen, his family, and was a softie at heart. A gentle, good man who was always trying to do the best he could. I will always appreciate his sense of humor and humming as he went through his day."
In loving memory of
Arthur William Ketelsen
February 12, 1920 - April 18, 2018
Arthur William Ketelsen, age 98, of Ames, died at Northcrest Community on April 18, 2018. A
celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 in the Green Room at
Northcrest Community, 1801 20th Street, Ames, Iowa.
Art was born February 12, 1920 in Chicago, Il. to Arthur F. and Frieda Kuehl Ketelsen. He
graduated from Lane Tech High School. In September of 1938 Art went to work for Hibbard,
Spencer and Bartlett, a hardware wholesaler in Chicago. He married Delores Kipley on
October 25, 1941 in Riverdale, IL. In November of 1942 Art enlisted in the Army Air Corp as a
Second Lt. and became a B 17 pilot. In November of 1944 Randall was born. Art was
discharged in October 1945 and the Ketelsen's then moved to Newton, Ia. with Hibbard,
Spencer and Bartlett. In May of 1947 their son James was born. Art joined the staff of Carr
Hardware in Ames in 1954 and in 1965 Art and Jim Daffin bought Carr Hardware which Art
operated until 1994. Art served on the Board of Directors of Cotter and Company, the parent
organization of True Value Hardware stores.
Art was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, ISU Cyclone Club, Ames Golf and Country
Club, Ames Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Iowa Hardware Association, Elks, Masonic
Lodge A. F.& A.M. and City of Ames Board of Adjustments.
Art is survived by his son Randall and daughter-in-law Mary Ketelsen of Englewood, FL;
daughter-in-law Kathe Ketelsen of Ames; grandchildren: Daniel Ketelsen of Arlington, VA,
Michael and Jennifer Ketelsen of Victoria, MN., Andrea Ketelsen of Denver CO., and Alyssa
Ketelsen of Chicago, Il.; great grandchildren: Sam and Cate Ketelsen of Victoria, MN.
Art was preceded in death by his son, James; wife, Dolores; sister, Ruth Cleveland; and
special friend, Helen Ingvoldstad.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Croix Hospice 1555 S. E. Delaware Ave.
Suite Q, Ankeny, Iowa 50021 or Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Avenue, Ames,
Iowa 50010.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"Art and I became acquainted at Northcrest. He and Helen often would be at the vesper I conducted twice a month. We were both veterans, he much more so than I, being four years older. I had a great respect for Art. Bob Farr"
"U am sorry for your loss he was a very kind person shelton Joseph former emploee"