Greg Ketelson

1976 - 2014

Greg Ketelson, 38, went home to the mansion his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ prepared for him on Dec. 23, 2014. Greg was born Dec. 17, 1976, to Gregory Ketelson Sr. and Charlene Ketelson. He was raised in the Lower 48. He lived in California and Las Vegas from birth through high school. He attended high school in Medera, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. He lived a part of his young adult life in South Dakota and Nebraska, where he met the mother of his child, April Thunderhalk. They had a daughter together named Racheal Waniyetu Wi Ketelson Thunderhalk in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is now 5 years old. 
Greg was a firefighter from time to time. He was very interested in Native American culture, whether it be Lower 48 Natives or Alaskan Natives. He grew his hair really long and never cut it, like Native Americans do. He enjoyed watching his niece Janet Pulido perform Native dances and singing songs that our ancestors created. Whether it was at the Pow Wow or the many different schools around town he showed up to support his niece, and he was very proud. 
He enjoyed reading books, the last book we saw him reading was Moby Dick. He enjoyed Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin. He started attending church at Golden Heart Ministries, which his grandmother Rita attended and founded, before he passed. His attendance would have made his grandma Rita so very happy. Greg spent the last eight years of his life in Fairbanks to be closer to his grandparents Fred and Rita Alexander. Greg lost his mother Charlene when he was a teenager, which caused a lot of sadness and heartache. He went through much grief, and he chose to become a free spirit. Life threw him through many obstacles and the true Greg was never seen without a smile on his face. He made everyone around him laugh - he was a funny guy and sincerely friendly.
Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Charlene Ketelson, his grandmother, Rita Alexander, his aunts and uncles, Douglas, Maxine, and Marvin Alexander.
Greg is survived by his daughter, Racheal Ketelson Thunderhalk; father Gregory Ketelson; sister Debbie; grandfather Fred Alexander; and aunt, Janice Fedosh; uncle Rodger Hubert Alexander; cousins, April Pulido, Stephanie BigJoe, Bessie Stearman, Robert Alexander, Kiefer Alexander; nieces and nephews Janet Pulido, Joy, Linea, Maxine Sterman, Sofia, Grace, Joshua, Elisha Parks, April Matson and Andrew BigJoe; and many others in Fairbanks, Minto and the Lower 48. For Greg, there is no more pain or suffering or heartache, only love, joy and peace. He in a much better place now, and until they meet again, his family misses and loves him very much. May the Lord be with him.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30 in Minto with a potlatch that evening. Arrangements are entrusted to Chapel of Chimes.
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