Viola Kellen

Viola Bernice Kellen, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2017, in St. Joseph's Hospital, Denver, Colorado. She succumbed to complications of diabetes.

Viola was born to George and Henrietta Kruger of George,Iowa on August 9, 1927. She grew up on the family farm near George, and attended a country school near there. She enjoyed her childhood with her 3 brothers and 1 sister. She married Ralph Voss in 1944. Together they had eight daughters. In early marriage they lived in Ellsworth, Minnesota and in 1950, moved to Little Rock, Iowa, where Ralph owned and ran the local elevator. In 1964, he passed away and Viola continued living there raising her daughters. She enjoyed many activities that the church and school offered.

In 1971 she married Donald Kellen. They moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa and worked there. Later, they lived in Hartley and Sibley, Iowa. In 1983 they decided to move to Denver, Colorado, where several of the daughters lived. She and Don enjoyed camping, traveling and being with family. She also had become a dietary supervisor at Bethesda Hospital and retired from there. After retiring she worked at a day care center to be active and loved being around the kids.

Don passed away in 2009, so she sold her home and moved to a senior apartment complex, where she met many new friends. She loved living there and enjoyed all her new friends and activities. She had a fall in July of 2016 and had a long recovery. She had finally come back to her home, when she became ill.

Viola was preceded in death by husbands, Ralph and Donald, two daughters, Cheryl Murphy (Jerry) of Adrian, Mn., Roberta of Littleton, Co., son-in-law, Steve Colvin (Diana) of Elizabeth, Co. and an infant grandson. Also her parents, George and Henrietta Kruger, step-mother Sena Kruger, brother John Kruger, sisters-in-law Ardell Kruger and Carolyn Kruger,and step- sister Kathryn Kruger.

She is survived by daughters, Marlys Remon of Centennial, Co., Glenda Bourgeois (Leo), of Maricopa, Az., Diana of Elizabeth, Co., Janice Schol (Steve) of Albuquerque, N.M., Karen Steiner (Tim), of Cascade, Co., and Laura Voss of Lakewood, Co., sister Florence Arends (Sweer), of Ellsworth, Mn., Albertus Kruger (Grace), of Britt, Ia.and Daryl of Ellsworth, Mn.

She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandsons.

Funeral services will be held on February 4, 2017, at Village at Hampden, 3601 S. Dallas St., Aurora Co 80014 at 10 AM. Memorials can be sent to Viola Kellen, 3601 S. Dallas St., apt. 329, Aurora, Co. 80014.