Griffeth Kelley Wodtke

MASON CITY: Griffeth Kelley Wodtke, 91, died July 15 at Heritage Care Center in Mason City of congestive heart failure.  A gathering of family and friends will be held at the Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., in Mason City on Friday, July 18, from 4-6 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
            Kelley was born in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Griffeth M. Wodtke and Mona Kelley Wodtke.  Kelley attended St. Johns Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, during which time the family; which included sister Susan, now deceased, and sister Jean; moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, where he met his wife Rachel Derr Austin Wodtke.  The couple had a son, Griffeth Austin Wodtke, in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1944, while Kelley was serving in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot instructor. 
After the war, Kelley moved back to Cedar Rapids and joined his father's firm as a manufacturers representative.  Summers were spent at the Outing Club in Clear Lake, Iowa, and winters in Hillsboro, Florida.  He served in the Air Force reserve in Cedar Rapids, retiring as a full colonel. 
            After the death of Rachel, Kelley married Etter Bowen Wodtke and moved to Mason City, Iowa where he spent his retirement fishing, playing tennis, and traveling.  Kelley and Etter were married for 31 years until her death in 2005.  Kelley remained an avid reader and sports fan well into his 80s.  In his last years, he delighted in his great-granddaughter, kept track of developments in his son and grandchildrens lives, and enjoyed time with friends.  Kelley is survived by his son Griff and daughter-in-law Alexis; granddaughter Christina Rachel and her husband Philippe Sarrazin and great-granddaughter Amelie; granddaughter Alyssa Kelley and her husband Jeff Sensabaugh; his sister Jean Ferring and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and his step-daughter Anne Bowen and her husband Steve Jackson.

Memorials:
American Cancer Society

Visitation:
Gathering of family and friends from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday at Major Erickson Funeral Home.