Lucille B. Kelchen, 92, of Farley, Iowa, passed away peacefully Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, Iowa.
Friends and relatives of Lucille may call from 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 3 p.m.
Services for Lucille will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Farley, Iowa with Rev. Richard Kuhn Presiding. Burial will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Farley, Iowa.
She was born February 29, 1924 in Worthington, Iowa, Daughter of Lawrence and Emma (Krogman) Funke. She received her education from the rural country schools and St. Paul's School in Worthington. On April 10, 1945 she was united in marriage to Joseph E. Kelchen at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Worthington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on August 3, 2007. Together they farmed and raised their family south of Farley.
Lucille was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was devoted to her family, and by her example, she instilled in her children the values of faith and a good work ethic.
She was a member of St. Joseph's Parish in Farley, Iowa and its Altar and Rosary Society.
She is survived by three sons, Larry (Carol) Kelchen and Dick (Norma) Kelchen both of Farley, IA, Steve Kelchen of Dubuque, IA; a daughter Jayne (Mark) Hoeger of Farley, IA; 8 grandchildren; Julie (Mike) Massey, Dave (Jill) Kelchen, Molly (Dave) Hoefer, Sarah (Brian) Eiben, Craig (Jenny) Kelchen, Marty (Jessie) Kelchen, Michelle (Jeff) Geistkemper, Matt (Amanda) Hoeger; 19 great grandchildren and one baby Hoeger due in March; one brother, Marvin (Rose Lee) Funke of Dyersville, IA; one sister, Norma Link of Dyersville, IA; three sisters-in-law, Kay Funke of Monticello, IA, Kathleen Funke of Worthington, IA and Mary Ostwinkle of Placid, IA.
She is also preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Deloras (Clarence) Sabers, Grace (Gib) Link, and Irma (Ray) Hess; four brothers, Gilbert (Mary) Funke, Donald Funke, LeVern L. "Bud" (Irene) Funke, and Eldon Funke; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lawrence Link, Colette (Adolph) Feiler, Marcella (Joe) Greenwood, Lucille (Joe) Till, Norine (Joe) Turnis, Delores (Elmer) Weydert, Helen (Raymond) Koppes, Alvina Kelchen, Ray (Rachel) Kelchen, Edward Kelchen, Ella (John) Gross, and Bill Ostwinkle.
Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff of Shady Rest Care Center for their personal and loving care of our mother for the last eight years. Your home became her home because of you. You touched her life in a very special way just like she had done to yours. Also, thank you to Hospice of Dubuque for their support this past week.