William H. Ketelaar

William “Bill” Ketelaar

William H. Ketelaar, age 89, formerly of Davenport, IA, passed away peacefully at his residence at Colonial Village in Overland Park, KS on December 5th.

Born in Davenport on November 6th,1936 to Al and Vera (Speth) Ketelaar, Bill was the third child in a family of six, and the eldest son. Bill was a Navy veteran who enlisted at age 17 after graduating from high school. After completing basic training, he reported for duty on the USS Meeker County on Christmas Eve, 1954. Bill served as a Naval storekeeper for four years before receiving an honorable discharge, completing his service on the USS Pocono. While in the Navy, he took great pride in keeping the ships fully stocked with essential supplies for both the crew and the ongoing maintenance of the vessels. Later in married life, Bill used his naval supply clerk skills to do the family grocery shopping and always kept the family pantry well stocked with back-ups for the back-ups. This finally paid off in the Covid pandemic when he did not run out of staples (including toilet paper).

Following military service, Bill attended St Ambrose College on the GI bill where he earned a BA, majoring in Economics and Business. During college, he met Barbara L. Daniel. They married on July 14th, 1962, at Holy Family Church. They were married for 63 years and raised five children (whom they enjoyed most of the time). They were blessed with five grandchildren (whom they thoroughly enjoyed all of the time). Bill was an insurance claims adjustor, retiring in 1999 after three decades with State Farm Insurance.

In retirement, Bill and Barb enjoyed road trip vacations, driving across the country to visit family and numerous state parks. He spent many hours researching family genealogy, feeding birds, photographing eagles, spending time with family in addition to a monthly dinner group with close friends. Bill volunteered for years at the German American Heritage Center and Holy Trinity Mission School, both in Davenport. He was a member of St Anthony Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 26 and US LST Association.

It took a pandemic to get Bill to move away from his beloved hometown. In 2021, he and Barb relocated to Overland Park, KS to be closer to family. They resided in an independent living community at Colonial Village, where Bill enjoyed a weekly poker night and live music and entertainment at the Friday happy hour.

Bill was humble, had a strong work ethic, took pride in providing for his family, and had a very dry sense of humor. His humor was evident in his young adult life, when the broke sailor on leave in Paris telegrammed his father with a desperate plea for funds. His curt telegram “Dear Dad. No mon, no fun. Your son” was replied to by his father, Al (who worked at Western Union and was well aware of the 1920’s era joke) with a just as curt telegram that read “Dear Son. How sad, too bad. Your Dad.” Ask any niece or nephew they could likely finish another of his jokes, one that begins with “The night was dark; the sky was blue….” Bill personally did his best to ensure Whitey’s Ice Cream continued to make a handsome profit as a Quad-City business. Over many years he consistently consumed more ice cream than the average Davenport resident.

Bill is survived by his wife Barbara, Overland Park, KS and their children and spouses: Steven (Maria) Ketelaar, Coral Springs, FL; Timothy (Martha) Ketelaar, Las Cruces, NM; David Ketelaar, Pismo Beach, CA; Julie (Michael) Jensen, Olathe, KS; Lynn Ketelaar, Olathe, KS; five grandchildren: Nicole (Omar) Duenas, Mendota Heights, MN; Vincent Ketelaar, Pismo Beach, CA; Andrew Ketelaar, Pismo Beach, CA; Jake Jensen, Olathe, KS; Emily Jensen, Kansas City, KS; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael (Maureen) Ketelaar, Lodi, CA; sister-in-law, Ann Ketelaar, Bettendorf, IA and numerous loving extended family and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Vera Ketelaar; siblings, MaryLou (William) Brooks, Shirley (Joe) Collier, Robert Ketelaar, Jack (Maureen) Ketelaar, and daughter-in-law, Deanna Wendt Ketelaar.

The family wishes to thank the extraordinary caregivers from Right at Home (Overland Park, KS) who provided such wonderful in-home care for Bill and Barb during his last months at home, and to the compassionate team from Brighton Hospice (Leawood, KS).

Following his wishes, the rite of cremation has been accorded. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held in 2026 at St. Anthony Church in Davenport, IA; when the date is chosen it will be published in the obituary section of the Quad City Times.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

McAnthony Window (at St Anthony Catholic Church, Davenport), Davenport Police Department Honor Guard Fund, or to your local food bank.