Gaye Ketelsen, Wimbledon, ND, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at SMP Health – Ave Maria.
Gaye Frederick was born December 11, 1936 in Buchanan, ND to Herbert and Mabel (Reimers) Frederick. She attended area schools and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1954. In 1955, she married Dale Ketelsen. They lived in Jamestown, Clementsville and Climax, MN, before settling in Wimbledon, where they owned and operated local grain elevators and raised their family. Following their divorce, she continued to work for area businesses in Wimbledon and Jamestown.
Gaye was funny, loved to tell stories and never hesitated sharing her opinions. She was happiest when her house was filled with family and friends. If you were part of her circle, you were a member of her family.
She is survived by her children, Tess (Ron) Smith, Scott (Lynn) Ketelsen, Angela Bartlett and Craig (Chrissie) Ketelsen; grandchildren, Alissa Martin, Jamie (Lisa) Martin, Dan (Paige) Martin, Claire (Patrick) Zellmer, Grace Ketelsen, Lindsay (Ben) Elhard, Tucker (Cassie) Bartlett, Emily Ketelsen, Johnathan Ketelsen and Erika Ketelsen; great-grandsons, Riley and Bryce Elhard; Warren, Roland, August and Arthur Zellmer and Asher Bartlett; sisters, Ione Brownson and Eileen (Emmet) Erickson; sister-in-law, Alice Frederick, as well as many nieces and nephews; bonus family, Chase and Shaylee Kunze; Braydon Syverson; Jacci (Clark) Bencomo and Warren (Melissa) Mahlke.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Mertis (Eddie) Eberhardt, Donald (Virginia) Frederick, Lorraine (Gus) Klundt, Fern (Alex) Stampka, Floyd Frederick, Gerald (Maureen) Frederick; brother-in-law, John Brownson; daughter-in-law, Marcy Ketelsen and bonus son, Rick Mahlke.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of SMP Health – Ave Maria and JRMC Hospice for the care and comfort they provided to Gaye in her final days and would ask that any memorials be designated to these organizations.
Memorial service: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2023 at Eddy Funeral Home.
Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.