June Kelsen

June Kelsen, 89, of Lisbon, was called to heaven on March 30, 2011. She was a resident of Parkside Lutheran Home.
June was born Aug. 18, 1921 to Thomas and Alma (Erickson) Sullivan in Duluth, MN. She attended Denfield High School and graduated in 1939. The next year she attended St. Scholastica College in Duluth.
On June 27, 1942 June was married to Willard (Bill) Kelsen. They owned and operated Kelsen’s Bakery & Restaurant in Duluth until they moved to Lisbon in August of 1959. In Lisbon they purchased Jerry’s Bakery, which became Kelsen’s Bakery & Coffee Shop. In 1976 they expanded their business in a new location as Kelsen’s Bold Venture. They added a dining room, bowling alley, lounge and banquet facility. June retired when the business was sold in 1994.
For several decades, June was the area hostess to many. She continued this in her home after retirement, until moving to Parkside in 2010. She often said “Going to work wasn’t like going to a job; it was like going to a coffee party every day.” She enjoyed playing cards with her girlfriends several times a week, and visiting with family and friends. Her poodle Heidi was a cherished companion, and they shared almost everything. She enjoyed traveling with her family, visiting California, Arizona and Duluth. June was always glad to visit with anyone who would drop by and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
June was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two sisters Betty Sahlin and Virginia Sullivan.
She is survived by her children Gary (Judy) Kelsen of Oakes, Virginia (Ron) Stendahl of Lisbon, Gregory of Longmont, CO, Thomas and Michael both of Lisbon, Mary (Daniel) Spiekermeier of Sheldon; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and four great, great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Parkside Lutheran Home or Lisbon Ministerial Association.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Apr. 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Lisbon. Father Jerald Finnestad officiated. Cantors were Chuck and Kris Long.
Pallbearers for the funeral were grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Music was provided by organist Kathy Kwapinski and soloist Kimberly Sauer.
Interment at St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon.
Armstrong Funeral Home, Lisbon was in charge of arrangements.

This obituary is printed in full because it is a paid obituary.

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