Elleen Frances Ketelhut

Peoria - Elleen F. Ketelhut, 92, passed away at 1:04 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at OSF St. Frances Medical Center in Peoria. Elleen was born September 26, 1921 in Freeport, IL, the daughter of Edward James and Lydia Louise Henke Bolender. She married Carl Ketelhut in Freeport on October 11, 1940. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by two daughters, Karlene (Tim) Miller of Peoria, and Christine (George) Mochocki Bass of Orange Park, FL; eight grandchildren, Todd (Penny) Miller, Tiffani (Daniel) Shekleton, Trent (Caroline) Miller, Jay (Eva) Mochocki,Bren (Rebecca) Mochocki, Seth Mochocki, Sean (Jennifer) Mochocki, and Tonya (Luke) Machado; thirteen great-grandchildren; one brother-in- law, Roger Ketelhut of Madison, WI; and many nieces and nephews. Elleen was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, four sisters; and her son-in-law, Henry Mochocki.

Having spent most of her life in Freeport, Elleen was active in several diverse areas. She was a member of the Fideles Circle at Immanuel Lutheran Church filling many different positions through the years. In Tucson she and Carl formed close ties with their church, The Fountain of Life. Later in Peoria, she attended services in the Waters of Life Chapel at Lutheran Hillside Village. She mastered the art of tatting at a young age and created beautiful gifts and ornaments, donating many to church fundraisers. The Christmas trees of family and friends display her lovely tatted ornaments and provide fond memories for those she loved. The Freeport YWCA was another recipient of her volunteer hours. She served on the board, while filling in where ever needed in various capacities. Bridge was her favorite leisure activity, and she played well and often, achieving the rank of Master in the American Contract Bridge League. She taught bridge for several years, and enjoyed playing in groups in Freeport, Tucson, and later in Peoria. In 2011, Elleen became a member of the Sofia Fleming Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, something she had always wanted to do.

In the last 10 years she lived at Lutheran Hillside Village, where she formed many close friendships. She considered her fellow residents and the staff to be her second family and enjoyed her time spent with them.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Waters of Life Chapel in Lutheran Hillside Village, 6901 N. Galena Rd. Peoria, IL. Pastor Paul Park will officiate. Visitation will be Tuesday evening January 7, 2014 from 4:00- 7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Wednesday, also at Waters of Life Chapel. A committal service will be in the chapel at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport, IL, on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Hillside Village Foundation.