Leander Kettler

Leander H. "Lee" Kettler, age 89, of Melrose, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vince Lieser officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. followed by the Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council at 8 p.m. Friday evening.

Leander Kettler was born February 24, 1920 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Frank and Agnes (Schmiesing) Kettler. On May 4, 1948 he married Juliana Leukam at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. The couple farmed until 1972 but Leander stayed in the seed and fertilizer business until 1998. He enjoyed bowling, horseshoes, playing cards, and playing pool. He had a love for playing music and last but not least, eating. Leander was a man who enjoyed people and loved family get-togethers.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, the Melrose Township Board, and the Sts. Bernard & Elizabeth Council.

Survivors include his wife, Juliana Kettler of Melrose; children, David (Elizabeth) Kettler of Bristow, WI, Mary (Hussein) Ansari of Eagan, Gary Kettler of Melrose, Maynard (Sheila) Kettler of Freeport, Carol (Pete) Kulzer of Sauk Centre, Linda (Mike) Kraemer of Melrose; 13 grandchildren and one great-grandson; brothers and sisters, Herb (Rosie) Kettler of Port Charlotte, FL, Elmer (Erma) Kettler of Melrose, Francis (Marlene) Kettler of Minneapolis, Rose Mary Swanson of Boise, ID, Richard (Evelyn) Kettler of Minneapolis, Donald Kettler of Minneapolis, Conrad (Lillian "Pudge") Kettler of Sauk Centre; sisters-in-law, Jenny Kettler of Minneapolis and Pat Kettler of Minneapolis.

Leander was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Agnes (Schmiesing) Kettler; grandson, Jordan Kettler; brothers, George and Roman Kettler; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Kettler.

Serving as casket bearers will be Kai Kettler, Ramsey Ansari, Tarik Ansari, Ali Ansari Jalal Ansari, Matt Kettler, and Ryan Kraemer. Cross bearer will be David Ansari and scripture bearer will be Leanna Kraemer. Mass servers will be Kara Kraemer and Amy Leukam. Gift bearers will be Jess Kulzer and Amira Ansari. Eucharistic Ministers will be Erma Kettler, Carol Niehaus, and Viola Wiechmann.