1957
Philip
2016
Philip Kettelson
July 12, 1957 — October 14, 2016
Mr. Philip William Kettelson died on October 14, 2016 in Boulder, CO. He was 59.
Phil was born on July 12th, 1957 in Monte Vista, CO to his parents, Inor and Alice Kettelson. He was the youngest of four children behind sister’s Joyce and Nancy and big brother Doug. They grew up on a farm that produced potatoes, barley and alfalfa. His lifelong passion for agriculture and uncompromised work ethic was no doubt cultivated in his early years working with his family. By his sophomore year in high school Phil had grown from a “string bean” into a very strong and athletic young man. His athletic ability was most prevalent on the grid iron where he earned all-state honors his sophomore, junior and senior years. Incredibly as both an offensive and defensive lineman. These accolades led to numerous scholarship offers from across the country. He decided to stay home and attend the University of Colorado mostly due to the fact that his family would be able to watch him play. He was on the 1976 Orange Bowl team and earned 3 football letters while playing for the Buffalos. Phil was a proud CU alumni and active supporter of the program for the rest of his life.
After graduation Phil moved back to Monte Vista to farm with his dad. The two working together exhibited the aforementioned work ethic combined with an uncanny talent of building, tinkering and just plain fixing things. If there is any question of Phil’s mastery of ingenuity one only has to go to the family farm in Wray and view his pumpkin cultivator.
In 1981, Phil married the love of his life, Joyce Stoeber. They started their life together living in a modest home, but quickly went to work on building their own home; a beautiful 3 bed room log house on the family farm. Phil and Joyce’s pride and joy were the three children they brought into the world: John, Leah and Luke. Phil cherished the time he spent with his family, whether it be spending time outdoors, on vacation or just having a family BBQ. Both Phil and Joyce loved to support their children in all of their activities. Traveling to track meets, volleyball and football games, fashion shows and more became a normal occurrence for the family for the next 20 years. The family remained close as the children went away to college and pursued their individual careers. Phil was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first grand daughter in December.
In 1993 the Kettelson family moved to Wray, CO. Phil originally moved the family to Wray to help build and run a potato warehouse. After leaving the warehouse Phil bought a farm west of Wray and began raising pumpkins and also created his own roustabout business. Phil had a tremendous impact of the Wray community. He was a dedicated member of the Lutheran Church and was the first to volunteer for any group that needed assistance. Every year he brought the entire elementary school out to his pumpkin patch so every child would have a pumpkin for Halloween. His biggest impact once again came on the football field. He coached the Wray High School football team for 11 years, teaching not just football skills, but more importantly how to be a great man, husband and father. The relationships built and the lessons taught to his fellow coaches and players will never be forgotten.
Phil is survived by his wife, Joyce; his son, John and his wife Julie;; daughter Leah; son, Luke; sister Joyce Baker; brother Doug Kettelson and his wife Dianne; brother and sister in-laws: Harold and Cathy Stoeber, Ken Stoeber, Dan and Karen Stoeber, Lori and Bill Dooley, Ron and Sara Stoeber, Randall and Christa Stoeber and Danette and Eric Sandivic; along with multiple nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Inor and Alice; sister, Nancy Prentice; and brother in law Jim Baker.
A funeral will take place on Saturday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Wray High School Gymnasium. Interment following at Grandview Cemetery in Wray, CO. Memorials may be made to the Buffs 4 Life, P.O. Box 19261, Boulder, Colorado 80308, Calvary Lutheran Church, 518 Dexter Street, Wray, Colorado 80758 or Saint Peters Lutheran Church, 1821 Grande Avenue, Monte Vista, Colorado 81144.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Phil’s incredible life.
Phil was born on July 12th, 1957 in Monte Vista, CO to his parents, Inor and Alice Kettelson. He was the youngest of four children behind sister’s Joyce and Nancy and big brother Doug. They grew up on a farm that produced potatoes, barley and alfalfa. His lifelong passion for agriculture and uncompromised work ethic was no doubt cultivated in his early years working with his family. By his sophomore year in high school Phil had grown from a “string bean” into a very strong and athletic young man. His athletic ability was most prevalent on the grid iron where he earned all-state honors his sophomore, junior and senior years. Incredibly as both an offensive and defensive lineman. These accolades led to numerous scholarship offers from across the country. He decided to stay home and attend the University of Colorado mostly due to the fact that his family would be able to watch him play. He was on the 1976 Orange Bowl team and earned 3 football letters while playing for the Buffalos. Phil was a proud CU alumni and active supporter of the program for the rest of his life.
After graduation Phil moved back to Monte Vista to farm with his dad. The two working together exhibited the aforementioned work ethic combined with an uncanny talent of building, tinkering and just plain fixing things. If there is any question of Phil’s mastery of ingenuity one only has to go to the family farm in Wray and view his pumpkin cultivator.
In 1981, Phil married the love of his life, Joyce Stoeber. They started their life together living in a modest home, but quickly went to work on building their own home; a beautiful 3 bed room log house on the family farm. Phil and Joyce’s pride and joy were the three children they brought into the world: John, Leah and Luke. Phil cherished the time he spent with his family, whether it be spending time outdoors, on vacation or just having a family BBQ. Both Phil and Joyce loved to support their children in all of their activities. Traveling to track meets, volleyball and football games, fashion shows and more became a normal occurrence for the family for the next 20 years. The family remained close as the children went away to college and pursued their individual careers. Phil was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first grand daughter in December.
In 1993 the Kettelson family moved to Wray, CO. Phil originally moved the family to Wray to help build and run a potato warehouse. After leaving the warehouse Phil bought a farm west of Wray and began raising pumpkins and also created his own roustabout business. Phil had a tremendous impact of the Wray community. He was a dedicated member of the Lutheran Church and was the first to volunteer for any group that needed assistance. Every year he brought the entire elementary school out to his pumpkin patch so every child would have a pumpkin for Halloween. His biggest impact once again came on the football field. He coached the Wray High School football team for 11 years, teaching not just football skills, but more importantly how to be a great man, husband and father. The relationships built and the lessons taught to his fellow coaches and players will never be forgotten.
Phil is survived by his wife, Joyce; his son, John and his wife Julie;; daughter Leah; son, Luke; sister Joyce Baker; brother Doug Kettelson and his wife Dianne; brother and sister in-laws: Harold and Cathy Stoeber, Ken Stoeber, Dan and Karen Stoeber, Lori and Bill Dooley, Ron and Sara Stoeber, Randall and Christa Stoeber and Danette and Eric Sandivic; along with multiple nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Inor and Alice; sister, Nancy Prentice; and brother in law Jim Baker.
A funeral will take place on Saturday, October 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Wray High School Gymnasium. Interment following at Grandview Cemetery in Wray, CO. Memorials may be made to the Buffs 4 Life, P.O. Box 19261, Boulder, Colorado 80308, Calvary Lutheran Church, 518 Dexter Street, Wray, Colorado 80758 or Saint Peters Lutheran Church, 1821 Grande Avenue, Monte Vista, Colorado 81144.
Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Phil’s incredible life.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Philip Kettelson, please visit our flower store.
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