Theodore Charles Kellner

Theodore “Ted” C. Kellner, 76 of Devils Lake, ND formerly of Nevis, Minnesota and Grand Forks, ND died on Sunday morning, April 27, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial for Ted will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Devils Lake. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Lake Region Honor Guard, Camp Grafton. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ted will be Tim Kellner, Trent Kellner, Chris Colonna, Michael Colonna, Jim Baer, Terry Fischer, Charlie Paul Kellner and Josh Steinke. Reading the Scriptures will be Gordon Gulseth and Bob Baer. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Lynda Pearson. Theodore Charles was born on November 5, 1931 at Park Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Theodore John and Margaret (Keller) Kellner. He grew up and attended school in Nevis, Minnesota, graduating from Nevis High School in 1950. After graduating, Ted and his father, both worked on various aspects of the Garrison Dam Project. Continuing in that adventurous spirit, Ted worked on the Ore Boats on the Great Lakes. He traveled on the boats from Duluth, Minnesota to Erie, New York. Ted then married Nancy Moore and they had four children. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951.He served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as a medic, stationed at many Air Bases throughout the US and foreign countries, including South Carolina, Kansas, Washington, Korea, Vietnam and Germany and his last station was at the Grand Forks Air Base. He retired from the Air Force in 1973 and made his home in Larimore. He continued in the work force, working as a cook at the Grand Forks Air Base bowling alley and then later worked in Civil Service as a fireman with the Grand Forks Air Base Fire Department. In 1976, Ted moved to Devils Lake and worked as a gun repairman and salesman at Gerrell’s for 5 years. For the next 13 years, Ted was a cook at Lake Region State College, fully retiring in 1993. Ted was united in marriage to Carol (Fox) Baer on December 26, 1985 at St. Joseph Catholic Church and they made their home in Devils Lake. Ted was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and former member of the Masonic Lodge and also a member of the Shrine. Ted loved the outdoors. He enjoyed time at the lake, fishing and hunting. His favorite time of the year was when his sons and grandsons came for deer hunting season. He loved to cook, listen to music and was an avid reader. When his health no longer allowed him to hunt and cook, Ted enjoyed watching the hunting channels and food channels on TV. Ted was very honored to serve his country and was so proud of his children and grandchildren and his extended step family. May Ted rest in peace. Ted is survived by his wife, Carol (Baer) of Devils Lake Son: John Kellner and his wife, Carla of Grand Forks, ND Daughters: Jeanne Colonna and her husband, Julio of Stanton Island, New York Julie Hiltner of Dawsonville, Georgia Jill Kloock and her husband, Gary of Clifton, New Jersey Grandchildren: Tim and Trent Kellner; Chris and Michael Colonna; Jesse Hiltner and Kaitlin and Garrett Kloock and two great grandchildren Mother of their children: Nancy Kellner of Grand Forks Step Children: Kathy Gulseth and her husband, Gordon of Otter Tail, Minnesota Jeanne Lindberg and fiancé, Terry Fischer of Devils Lake Bob Baer and his wife, Ellie of Lawrence, Kansas Jim Baer and his wife, Felise of Fargo Step Grandchildren: Jennifer, Jessica and Jillian Baer. Sister: Margaret Navin and her husband, John of White Bear Lake, Minnesota Brother: Tom Kellner of Nevis, Minnesota Aunt: Winifred Roy of Carol Stream, Illinois Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert Kellner and sister-in-law, Lavonne Kellner.