Curtis Eric Henry Ketelsen

Curtis Eric Henry Ketelsen, 80, of Davenport passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 on Monday, February 15, 2016 at the Runge Mortuary and one hour prior the service at the church. Per his wishes cremation rites will be accorded. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton, IA at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Word of God Lutheran Church for the Deaf. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.rungemortuary.com. He was born on January 7, 1936 in Muscatine, IA the son of Arnold and Clara (Almandinger) Ketelsen. He was united in marriage to Nora Jean Howard in 1961 and later was divorced. Curtis graduated from the Lutheran School for the Deaf in Detroit Michigan. He was past president of the National Fraternal Society of the Deaf and held offices with the Quad Cities Silent Club and East Iowa Lutheran Church of the Deaf. In 1970 he was listed as one of America’s outstanding young men. He was a passionate Iowa Hawkeye fan and he enjoyed his family and many friends. His sense of humor will truly be missed. Curtis was employed as a linotype operator at the Times Democrat in Davenport and later as an aviation technologist with John Deere Aviation retiring with 35 years of service. Those left to honor his memory include his son Johnny E. Ketelson, Oelwin, IA; granddaughter, Jessica Rupright, Oelwin, IA; brothers, William (Janet) Ketelsen, Durant, IA and Edward (Margaret) Ketelsen, Tipton, IA; sister Arvella (Eldon) Pewe, Dixon, IA and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Don, Carl and Delbert Ketelsen, foster brother Daryl King and sister: Deloris Spengler and Dorothy Scharff.