Roger A. Ketelsen's Obituary
Roger A. Ketelsen, 86, of Fulton, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at The Alverno in Clinton.
Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Burial will be in the Clinton Lawn Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the United States Navy. Visitation will be from 10:00am to the service time at the funeral home.
Roger was born on December 11, 1939, in Clinton, Iowa to Arlo and Velva Jane (Morey) Ketelsen. He was a 1959 graduate of Clinton High School. He was united in marriage to Donna Alt on September 15, 1968, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clinton. She preceded him in death in 2022.
Roger proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1965 in Rota, Spain. He worked for many years at Ketelsen's Grocery Store on Camanche Avenue which was owned and operated by his family for over 40 years. He went on to work at Dupont until his retirement in 1997.
Roger was an avid collector of model trains and over the years designed and built a massive train set display which brought him great joy. He enjoyed camping, gardening, and supporting his nephews and their children in their various activities.
He is survived by his brother, Robert (Linda) Ketelsen of Chandler, AZ; brothers-in-law, Jack Alt and Alan Sedlacek of Clarksville, TN; nephews - Jason (Liz) Alt of Cedar Rapids, IA and Brandon (Chloe Kohl) Alt of Marion, IA; great-nieces, Sabrina, Lauren, and Thea; great-nephew, Nicholas.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Donna, and his parents.
Memorials can be made to the Alverno or Tunnel to Towers. The family would also like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff of MercyOne, the Averno, and Compassus for their great care of Roger.
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