Leo Keilen

Leo Keilen January 23, 1922 - June 2, 2010

Leo P. Keilen, age 88, of Faribault, died Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at the St. Lucas Care Center in Faribault. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the St. Lawrence Cemetery, Faribault. Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday for one hour prior to services. The family prefers that memorials be directed to Bethlehem Academy High School, Divine Mercy Catholic School or the Divine Mercy Catholic Church Building Fund. Leo Paul Keilen, the son of John and Margaret (Mueller) Keilen, was born on January 23, 1922 in Forest Township, Rice County, MN. On June 3, 1941 he was united in marriage to Elsie Rezac at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Hazelwood. After their marriage Leo farmed in Forest Township and also operated a feed mill grinder for other farmers. Later Leo worked for Spitzack Well Service, Coast to Coast Store in Faribault, where he learned his trade of plumbing and in 1962 started his own plumbing business, Leo Keilen Plumbing and Heating and worked this until his retirement in 1984. In retirement Leo was a handyman for many people and worked on many projects for St. Lawrence Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #889 in Faribault, the Catholic Aid Association and the Rice County Steam and Gas Engine Association. He was a former member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elsie Keilen of Faribault; by 10 children, Lucille Erickson of Fridley, MN, Margaret (Raymond) Surbaugh of Rainelle, WV, John (Linda) Keilen of Faribault, Jim (Kathy) Keilen of Faribault, Roger Keilen of Faribault, Agnes (Frank) Simek of Alford, FL, Dennis Keilen of Bradenton, FL, Mark (Faye) Keilen of Winterhaven, FL, Mary (Scott) Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD and Gary (Debra) Keilen of Faribault; by 23 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; by two sisters, Loretta Seira of Austin, MN and Lainey Delong of Pine City, MN and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, by his granddaughter, one great granddaughter and by a granddaughter in law, by three sisters, Elizabeth Malecha, Bernadine Malecha and Agnes Farnum, by two brothers, Christie and Harold Keilen and by a son in law, Clifford Erickson.