David Robert Kellen, age 68, of Worthington, died Thursday, May 1, 2025, at the Shores Nursing Home in Worthington.
He was born on February 25, 1957, to Leander and Frona (Serie) Kellen in Adrian, Minnesota. He was born with cerebral palsy and was physically handicapped. David’s parents were told by his doctors that he would not live past the age of 15. He certainly proved them wrong. David joined his siblings Bob, Edna, Patricia and Alice on the family farm north of Ellsworth, Minnesota. Three years later, a baby sister (Judy) would join their family.
Growing up, David had many surgeries to try and improve his legs. In his youth, he had arm braces to be used as canes, and wore leg braces. David started out in Ellsworth Public School, attending elementary school there for a short period of time, and then began attending special ed programs in Luverne. He graduated from Luverne High School at the age of 21 from the Special Education program. He had many friends there and they formed a special family. He participated in 4-H and brought home many ribbons from his entries.
He enjoyed swimming and going bowling with his teachers and class-mates. He was actually a great bowler. He participated in Special Olympics and always had a big smile as he ran. David attended summer camp at Lake Shetek in Minnesota and loved eating burgers and hot dogs over the campfire. He simply loved being outside.
David absolutely loved farm life. He looked forward every day to getting up to see what Dad would be doing on the farm, and after school he’d hurry and change into his coveralls to go outside and see what Dad was needing his help with. David loved driving our John Deere tractors and hooking up or unhooking wagons for his dad. He would often be seen running across the gravel yard, almost flying as both feet would be off the ground as he ran so fast. Then he’d fall, and Mom, standing in the kitchen, watching him from the window above the sink, would touch her heart, hoping he’d get up and continue, this time walking to help Dad. He was HER baby. Our parents loved him deeply and unconditionally. David had chores on the farm like any kid, throwing down hay bales from the barn window for the feeder cattle below. He had many dogs and cats on the farm that he loved. He was such a dog lover. David loved his family like no other. He’d sit in the living room on the farm and watch for the familiar cars carrying the families of Edna, Bob, Alice and Patty as they came home for weekends or holidays. “Here comes so & so,” he’d announce gleefully and run to the door and wait for them to arrive so he could hold the door open for them, always with a big, welcoming smile.
After moving from the farm into a house in Ellsworth after his graduation, our parents felt he needed challenges, and after making the very difficult and emotional decision, moved him into a group home setting in Worthington, Minnesota, with individuals at his intellectual and physical level. David worked at The Achievement Center and then at the Day Activity Center in Worthington. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church there.
For decades he lived with men who became his extended family. Tony, Tim, Jim and Mike became like brothers to him. He loved going to the annual Turkey Days parade with his housemates. They were his second family, and I know they will miss him. When he attended outings with his group home friends, he would see a cousin every now and then and couldn’t wait to tell us who he saw. He loved his cousins on both sides of the family and looked forward to going to the huge Serie family reunions on the Fourth of July at his aunt and uncle’s farm outside Luverne.
Flatbeds full of fried chicken, countless salads and baseball games in the field were held at the Kellen farm as well. He loved watching them play ball.
After some health issues and surgeries, David was placed in a nursing home in Worthington to recuperate and to receive therapy, and he stayed there until his death. He made friends with everyone there, staff and residents. He loved it there and had a smile and a “good morning” for everyone. David had more friends than there are stars in the sky.
David is survived by two sisters, Alice (John) Schulte of Olathe, Kansas, and Judy (Dan) Grunwald of Ventura, Iowa; nieces and nephews and their children, Tom Kellen (Deb), Brenda Thiner (Del), Lisa Anderson (Scott), Sue Gerken (Dennis), Steve Sweeney, John Schulte (Mary), Taylor Schulte (Erin), Kellen Schulte (Kristi), Connor Grunwald, and Ryan Grunwald (Kayla).
No doubt there is a family reunion in heaven as he joined family members who preceded him in death: his parents, Leander and Frona Kellen of Ellsworth and Luverne, Minnesota; brother Bob Kellen of Lakefield, Minnesota; sisters Edna Kellen of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Patricia Kellen of Worthington, Minnesota; and nephew Scott Sweeney of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
We will miss David’s constant smile, contagious laugh and caring heart. Rest in peace smiley boy. The memories of David will continue to fill our hearts in the days ahead.
Funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington, officiated by Deacon Vern Behrends. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Saturday. Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary Cemetery in Ellsworth.
