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Dale Ketelsen Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Dale Ketelsen
Scott Forrester
April 20, 2016
Coach K was such a positive influence in my life. I was fortunate enough to have wrestled for him at Belaire High School. His approach was simple. He expected hard work, commitment, respect and good sportsmanship with a positive attitude. He instilled this through expectancy, combined with kindness and forgiveness as well as motivation and encouragement. He was able to harness the ability, collective mischievous and tremendous potential of a challenging and talented group of boys that resulted in one of his very best teams during his tenure at Belaire H.S. Everyone of us are better individuals today because of it! His wife, two boys and daughter helped contribute as well as the whole family exhibited good values. Even to this day, I can reflect back on many great experiences, memories and life lessons. I can still see Coach K to this day with his stocky build, imperfect walk, funny accent and little smile yelling my name with his commanding voice. Coach K, I still hear you and will always hear you. Thank you for everything.
Scottie Forrester
Belaire High School, Class of 1979
Bill Ross
March 21, 2015
I wrestled for Coach at LSU for one semester in 1970 but what an experience. He was a great guy and what a coach! I came all the way from Maryland to wrestle at LSU and Coach welcomed me with open arms, even though I wasn't that good!
June 30, 2014
Coach K,
A great mentor, a great coach, a great man. I am so blessed and grateful to be one of the many lives you have touched. Rest in peace.
Maisha Webb
c/o '92
Frank Konvalinka
June 17, 2014
I rember coach k when i was a freshman at riverside-brookfield high school back in 1965. He was our football coach and when we would line up for scrimmage if you were not in a good 3 point stance he would say you look like your crapin in the corn field.What a great coach and teacher.God bless you coach "K".
Mike Forrester
April 10, 2014
Coach K was a giant among men. He taught me the value of hard work, dedication and teamwork. While at the same time he quietly in his own amazing way instilled in me the values of honesty, respect for others and doing the right thing. I can never thank him (or his family) enough for everything that I learned from him. He along with a few others helped forge the foundation of who I am as a person today. THANK YOU Coach K for everything you did for me and everyone else you coached.
Mike Forrester
Belaire High, Class of 1985
Lori and Marv Blakesley
April 8, 2014
Dear Pat -
You have our deepest sympathy. Marv really enjoyed visiting with Dale at the last Class Reunion we all attended. You and your family have our thoughts and prayers.
April 8, 2014
Pat - You have our deepest sympathy. Marv really enjoyed visiting with Dale at the last Class Reunion we attended together. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lori and Marv Blakesley, Venice, Fl.
Ricky Zimmer
April 7, 2014
Coach Ketelsen was truly an ambassador of the sport. I will always remember his smiling face and ready handshake. His wrestlers were always prepared and well coached. His advice always grounded in common sense. R.I.P. coach "K"!
Steven Thomas
April 4, 2014
My prayers to the family. Coach K will be missed especially walking around wrestling tournaments with that smile.
Katherine Ketelsen
April 3, 2014
I was so lucky to be Coach K's granddaughter and I'm so proud of how many lives he touched over his life, including mine. He was the best grandfather a girl could have and I'm so glad to see how many people cared for him. And thank you to everyone for your kind words, Coach K would have loved them. I love you Pop-Pop! I'll never be able to show how much you changed my life. I miss you, see you soon!
Dennis Bertot
April 3, 2014
I never had the privilige to work with Coach Ketelson personally but thru my brief encounters with him, I always knew he was a great man and a great coach. My condolences to the Ketelson family. You are in my prayers.
Mike Harter
March 31, 2014
I have very fond memories of Coach K. He helped guide me down the path to wrestle in College at Iowa State. I am forever thankful for his guidance and support. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Chad Stutzman
March 29, 2014
I want to thank the entire family for sharing your time of a great man. Coach K was an inspiration to many and loved by all! RIP coach K...... We love you!
Kenny Spellman
March 29, 2014
Coach was a great man. He was a mentor and friend and I wil be forever grateful for having known him.
Paige Russell
March 29, 2014
Coach was one of the most influential people in my life. He not only taught me how to wrestle, but how to work hard for something you really want in life. He taught me discipline, and the fact that anything is possible. I only hope that I can be half the coach and man you were. I love you coach and you will always be remembered. Rest in peace.
Jill Edmonson, Belaire High, Class of 1988
March 28, 2014
Coach Ketelsen...you will truly be missed by many who adored you and who were blessed by having you come across their lives over the past years. Prayers to your family during these times.
Shawn Bozeman Martin
March 28, 2014
Although I never attended Belaire, I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Ketelson through drivers ed. You were such a kind, caring, passionate teacher who loved your students. Prayers for your family. RIP Coach Ketelson.
Joe Sunseri
March 28, 2014
Condolences to the Ketelsen family from the Sunseri's. Coach was an inspiration to the whole wrestling community. A man with great character and spirit. He will be greatly missed.
Kevin Tabor
March 28, 2014
What a great man. He was a true coach and teacher that loved he's students.i will never forget the vacation he brought us on to Iowa and invited us in his parents home and treated us like one of his own.
Thank you
Love kt
March 28, 2014
d
Cristy Bidler
March 28, 2014
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Lambert Serio
March 28, 2014
RIP Coach Ketel, you were a wonderful teacher. I have always remembered you fondly. I wish there were more teachers like you today. Belaire Graduating Class of 1981.
March 28, 2014
Coach, Although it has been many years the lessons I learned from you about work ethic and character has served me greatly in life. I once told you several years ago "Thank You". You looked at me and said "For What" Now you known......
Mark Roberts
March 28, 2014
Mrs. Pat and family,
Please accept my family's sincere condolences on the passing of coach Kettelsen. He was an inspiration and role model. Our family have you all in our prayers.
Sincerely,
The J.D. Roberts Family
(Greg Jesuit-1977, Mark Bro. Martin-1980 and Neil Bro. Martin-1982)
Harold Mitchell
March 28, 2014
Coach K will truly be missed. He was a great educator and motivator during my time in school. He was always nice and respectful to all. One of the great influences of "The Great Belaire High School." I often reflect on the time he talked me into coming out for the wrestling team and also I could hear his words of motivation when I reflect on the good times of high school. In my first match I got pinned in 11 seconds. That was the end of my wrestling career. Coach will truly be missed.
Harold "skeet" Mitchell
Belaire High class of '90
Gene Strogen
March 28, 2014
To the family my prayers an respect goes to the whole family! Coach an Mrs. Ketelsen was so concern about me even after my matches with Eric that it made losing to him bearable. In the following years he along with Craig became my mentor when I started reffing; they both always told me the truth, not for thier wrestler but for the betterment of the sport. N closing he became a father figure to me n for that I am forever grateful!!!
Roberto Furtado
March 28, 2014
As an athlete and fellow coach I was always greeted with a smile and a firm handshake upon seeing him at tournaments. He seemed to enjoy your company even when coming face to face in competition. I learned a great deal from Coach Keltelsen, despite the fact that I never wrestled for him. But I can recall his athletes were well prepared and ready to take you on. He was an amazing coach and ambassador for our sport coming from Iowa to start the program at LSU and helping to put Louisiana wrestling on the map. You will be missed but your legacy lives on with every whistle and takedown. Thank You Coach Keletelsen.
Roberto Furtado, Bonnabel Class of 1984
Jim Ballow
March 28, 2014
There are too few of Coach Ketelson's character left in the world. I remember him well as my wrestling coach as well as Driver's Ed. Another piece of our past being chipped away. My prayers to the family.
Jim Ballow
Belaire Class of 1983
Billy Cobb
March 28, 2014
He was a great man and coach.
Phil Bode
March 28, 2014
Without Coach Ketelsen most of the wrestling community in Louisiana would not exist. Beyond the state, he was known and recognized from coast to coast. His life changed all of us and he lives on whenever a Louisiana wrestler takes the mat.
Lindsay Samson- Carter
March 28, 2014
Coach Ketelsen was a great man, he taught me drivers ed at Belaire. Heaven gained a great man
March 28, 2014
Coach Ketelsen taught me P.E. and drivers ed. He would always say "look ahead, don't watch the road; it's not going anywhere." Prayers for the family.
March 28, 2014
The man truly made a difference where ever he went. He will be missed!
Marvin "Boomer" Leonard
Dakasha Leonard
Andy Bush
March 27, 2014
Coach Ketelson was a good man who had a positive impact on thousands of kids - why he put up with all of us knuckleheads, I'll never know, but God bless him for it. My prayers go out to his wife, kids and grand kids.
March 27, 2014
One of the few coaches I liked during my time at Belaire... My condolences to family. R.I.P. coach.
March 27, 2014
Thank you for the influence you had on my son Robert. Bob Brooks
Jackie Mayhew
March 27, 2014
What a great man who will be missed.. I have thought of him often since the days I attended Belaire High.. Coach was my Drivers Ed teacher.. I scared him half to death when we were out driving one day and he slammed his brake on that was in the passengers side of the car... So sorry for your loss. Praying for comfort for your family in this sad time..
Rob "Moose" Mitchell
March 27, 2014
Coach Ketelson was one of those once in a lifetime characters you meet and never forget, no matter how far you go in life or how long you live. He was solely responsible for teaching me to wrestle, for joining the team and competing, and for helping me realize how much I could push myself. May God greet you in the next life, Coach, I've missed you all of these years...
Matt and Mark Barnes
March 27, 2014
Coach Ketelsen's love for life was unprecedented, and he passed that passion through wrestling. He was an inspiration to us, a true role model, and left a lasting impression that will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We wish y'all the best during this time. Sincerely, Matt and Mark Barnes
Kelly Frederick
March 27, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to the Ketelsen family, coach was an superior man and teacher he will never be forgotten !! RIP Coach
Dan Stoner
March 27, 2014
Mentors like Coach are rare. The passing of such a dynamic person like him is a loss for us all.
Rab
March 27, 2014
Coach was a very funny character that touched many lives. He always made me smile with his jokes. He was a great man and teacher. Prayers for the family. RIP Coach K.
Stan Kottemann, Jr.
March 27, 2014
Dear Ketelsen Family,
Coach Dale was a great Christian man who loved his wife and family more than anything. Coach Dale always was a kind man who would help anyone and is now in heaven with God. Coach Dale was my coach at LSU. God Bless Coach Dale Ketelsen. sincerely, Stan Kottemann, Jr. (LSU wrestling letterman '76).
Chad Rossi
March 27, 2014
What a great man he was. He was my coach and driver's ed teacher at Belaire ('91). His favorite line - "It's in the hips!"
Jason Partin
March 27, 2014
Coach was a wonderful man who influenced a lot of people in his lifetime. Even recently I told someone about him unselfishly driving me to and from New Orleans to train for wrestling one summer and the encouragement he gave me to do be respectful and have a strong work ethic. I attribute a lot of positive things in my life to Coach. My heart goes to his family. Jason "Magik" Partin, Belaire 1987-1990.
B B
March 27, 2014
Thank you coach for sharing your love for the sport with us. Lots of great memories. BB - Belaire 92'
Dewey Lofton
March 27, 2014
So sorry to hear of Coach's death. He taught me at LSU. He was a great teacher and human being. He did so much to promote the sport of wrestling. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dewey Lofton
Lynn Prestidge
March 27, 2014
Pat,I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you find great peace in knowing that Dale touched so, so many lives through the years. Since I am working in Washington, DC, I am sending a great big hug your way! Peace and love to you. Lynn
Misty Regan (Chapman)
March 27, 2014
Coach Ketelsen taught me driver's ed at Belaire. He always had a joke or funny story to tell. He was a kind man. I really had trouble learning to drive, but he was a good teacher. I'll never forget him telling me to drive from the outside of the car inside, not from the inside out. I could drive after that! :) He was a good teacher.
May God comfort you in your loss. I will be praying for you.
Kathleen Trygg Chiles
March 27, 2014
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Fran Wheatley
March 27, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Bobby Brister
March 27, 2014
Coach was a good man. He always had a minute to talk with you. He was also a funny guy. I can hear now, telling one of his jokes. My prayers are with the Ketelson family. Thanks for the memories Coach.
Coach Tommy Hess
March 27, 2014
Coach and I worked together at BHS for those 20 years. I can still remember him taking down Arthur Cantrelle, an LSU running back, in wrestling class.
Peace be with you Dale...and your family as well.
Tommy Hess
Carl Hudson
March 27, 2014
Great mentor, teacher, friend!!!! This great man coached me at Belaire and will never be forgotten! R.I.P. Coach!
March 27, 2014
Coach Ketelsen and I worked together at BHS for those 20 years. I have nothing but the utmost respect for coach. I can still remember him taking down Arthur Cantrelle in a wrestling class at LSU. May PEACE be with you and your family.
Coach Tommy Hess
Juanita Sanchez
March 27, 2014
Such a good person and a great man! He will definitely be missed. Prayers to his family.
Tiffany Brinkley-Barrow
March 26, 2014
Thank You Coach Ketelsen for "lighting your world" by pouring into the lives of all of the students that you served and taught. Your memory lives on.
Chad"Catfish" Easley
March 26, 2014
We always shared a huge smile, firm handshake, and words of encouragement with each other. I'll truly miss him.
Katie Scott Doiron
March 26, 2014
Coach Ketelson was my brother's wrestling coach at Belaire 1995-1998 and I did a lot of tagging along. He was always so kind to me and my whole family. I loved the Ketelson Cup dual meets every year. Keeping your family in my thoughts.
Karl Vizinat
March 26, 2014
I remember competing against his Belaire teams in the early 80s. He was a class act and well respected by all. He always had a kind, encouraging word, no matter what school you represented. Karl Vizinat Baker High School class of 83
Kuristen Ventress
March 26, 2014
Coach Ketelsen was my driver's education teacher at Belaire High. May God be with his family through this time. Rest in Peace~
Greg Simmons
March 26, 2014
I taught and coached at Belaire in 1997-98. Coach and I rode to the football games together every week. I heard more stories than I can ever remember.
My condolences to the family on the loss of such a wonderful person.
Jessica Lanning
March 26, 2014
Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. RIP Coach
Monica Day McKines
March 26, 2014
With deepest symphony. I remember him coaching sports at Belaire High School 1992-1996.
March 26, 2014
Rest in peace, you were a great man. You always had a nice word to say to everyone, while my wife Kim was at Belair.
Jesse Lambert
March 26, 2014
God bless Coach and his family.
Amee Bordelon
March 26, 2014
My prayers are with his family. He was a good man. I remember him from my Belaire days and he taught me driver's Ed.
Teresa Stein
March 26, 2014
Fly high, coach!! You were loved by so many, and will be missed!
Teresa Olah Stein
Belaire High, Class of '99
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