John Thomas Kelso

April 21, 1946 – November 29, 2021

John T. Kelso, 75, Lake Mills, passed away Monday, Nov. 29, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Albert Lea, Minn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Buffalo Center, with Father Andrew Marr officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery, Buffalo Center, with military honors conducted by the Otto Chose American Legion Post #235 of Lake Mills. Visitation for John will be Monday, Dec. 6, from 4-6 p.m. at Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel, Lake Mills, and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. There will be a scripture service at 6 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Otto Chose American Legion Post #235.
John Thomas Kelso was born April 21, 1946 to John and Frances Kelso in Buffalo Center. He was the older of two children. John graduated from Buffalo Center Community School in 1964. He was active in football and basketball in high school.
On Feb. 4, 1967 John was united in marriage with Helen Rose Murray at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Buffalo Center. To this union, they had two sons—JC and Jeffrey.
John was active in the military. He owned and operated the feed store in Buffalo Center. Later he worked at Winnebago Industries and raised hogs.
In 1988, John and Helen moved to Lake Mills. John was an active member of the Lake Mills sports booster club and the Otto Chose American Legion Post #235. He had been a legion member for 47 years and enjoyed carrying the flag in parades and serving on the honor guard for other fallen veterans.
John and Helen enjoyed camping, boating and spending the summers at Silver Lake Campground. He enjoyed following his grandsons’ sporting events, as well as cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers.
He is survived by his sons: JC (Teresa), Thompson; and Jeff (Michele), Clear Lake; five grandsons: Justin, Lake Mills; Blake (Kiah), Mason City; Aaron (Kristine), Lake Mills; Austin and J.T., both of Thompson; a sister, Mary (Dave) Peterson, Lake Mills; nephew, Kris (Jessie) Peterson and their children; niece, Megan (Adam) Ritter and their boys; two sisters-in-law: Ellie Murray and Bev Mathison; aunts and uncles: Harley (Doris) Harms, Dorie Sinnard, Leona Vinz and Linda Harms; as well as numerous cousins.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, in February of this year; his parents, John and Frances; father- and mother-in-law, Earl and Alice Murray; along with several brothers- and sisters-in-law, aunts, and uncles.

 

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204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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