Kenneth Kellen

Kenny Kellen, age 43, of Beardsley passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16, at 10:30 a.m. St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley with Minister Bev McNeill officiating. Burial will follow in Holden Lutheran Cemetery in rural Beardsley. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday evening at St. Mary's Catholic Church and will continue for one hour prior to the time of service at the church on Friday.

Casket bearers will be Tom Kellen, Tim Kellen, Curt Kellen, Randy Erickson, Jon Bork, and Craig Danielson. Honorary bearers include his five adopted kids: Dillon and Mikaela Bork, and Mikki, Rachel, and Wyatt Erickson, and all of Ken's nieces and nephews.

Kenneth David Kellen was born on February 2, 1971, at Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville, MN to Paul and Mary Ann (Wohlers) Kellen of Beardsley. He attended Beardsley Elementary and graduated Salutatorian in 1989 from Beardsley-Browns Valley High School. He was a very active member of the Beardsley Go-Getters 4-H Club, focusing on dairy beef. He also wrestled and played football. In 1991, Ken received an Associates degree in Dairy from the University of Minnesota, Crookston. There he met Tracy Marie Hofius. They were married on April 29, 1995 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley.

In 1998, Ken and Tracy took over Kellen Dairy. Since that time, they have expanded their farming operation to include dairy beef, horses, and goats. Not having any children of their own, Ken and Tracy developed a special bond with five amazing kids, Dillon and Mikaela Bork, and Mikki, Rachel, and Wyatt Erickson, who looked to Kenny as a second father.

Kenny enjoyed hunting, fishing, and farming. He always said watching the baby goats play could put a smile on his face! Kenny enjoyed serving on the boards of the Beardsley Farmers Elevator, Big Stone Co. Planning and Zoning, and the Holden Church Council. He was a past board member of Big Stone Co. ADA and DHIA and a former 4-H adult leader.

Kenny is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Tracy of Beardsley; his parents, Paul and Mary Ann Kellen of Beardsley; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Richard and Darlene Hofius of Jenkins, MN; sister, Rose (Paul) Bly of Pierre, SD; brother, Tom (Nance) Kellen of St. Cloud, MN; brother, Tim Kellen of St. Augusta, MN; sister, Patti Weibel of Lester Prairie, MN; brother, Curt (Kristi) Kellen of Fargo, ND; and all of his nieces and nephews.

Kenny lived his life try to show others the same kindness he wished to have in return. He will be greatly missed!

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred in Kenny's memory to Coborn's Cancer Center, St. Cloud, MN and the Big Stone County Cancer Support Group.