Nick Keltgen
Nick Keltgen, 71, of Atwater, formerly of Olivia, MN passed away Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar due to COVID complications, surrounded by his daughters. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia, MN with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser officiating. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. A private burial will be at a later date. Military rites will be provided by the Olivia American Legion and VFW. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to veteran’s organizations chosen by the family. The family asks that people wear masks and social distance. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN.
A live stream of Nick’s service will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/nicholas-keltgen
Nicholas Edmund Keltgen was born on December 10, 1950 in Willmar, MN to Vincent and Kathryn (Butkovich) Keltgen. He grew up with his nine siblings in Olivia, MN and attended St. Aloysius Catholic School and Olivia High School. He served in the US Army in Vietnam from February 1970 until September 1971. He later served in the Army National Guard until 1976. Nick married Patricia Bryan on May 12, 1973. They had two daughters, Jane and Nichole. He owned Keltgens Inc. in Olivia with his brothers for many years. He also worked a variety of agricultural jobs, including working at Kaiser Estech and the Olivia Machine Shop. He was a 20 year member of the Olivia Fire Department, achieving rank of Captain. In 2011, he bought a hobby farm and moved to Lake Minnetaga outside of Atwater. He enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, playing cards, tinkering around with cars, in his shop and around his property and helping friends and neighbors with their projects. He will be remembered for his sense of humor. He was an avid supporter of veterans and veteran organizations. He was a member of the Olivia Legion and Olivia VFW. Nick’s family would like to extend a gracious thank you to the medical team at Rice Memorial Hospital for the care and compassion that they showed him while he was there.
Nick is survived by his two daughters: Jane (and Jon) Klenk of Mapleton and Nichole Keltgen of Minnetonka; grandchildren: Jamie Klenk, of Mapleton, Jenni, Matt, Bentley and Easton Hagen of Eagle Lake, and Jeff Klenk of Mankato; his siblings: Mike Keltgen of Olivia, Dottie (Bob) van der Hagen of Bird Island, Joan McGill of Eden Prairie, Paula (Wayne) Vogt of Lake Lillian, Barb (Ron) Kubesh of Olivia, Chris (Joan) Keltgen of Olivia, Mary (Larry) Eeckoff of Renville, and John (Pam) Keltgen of Carver; his brother-in-law Red Ziesmer of Olivia; step-siblings Pat O’Malley, Tom (Mary) O’Malley and Jim O’Malley; and many, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Patricia “Gram Pat” Keltgen; sister, Katy Ziesmer; and sister-in-law, Margaret “Peg” Keltgen.
Blessed Be His Memory
