Gerhardt Ketterling

The family of Gerhardt Otto Ketterling, 90, of Wishek, ND, is saddened to announce his passing on March 10, 2025. A memorial service will be held at Feist Funeral Home, Wishek, ND, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held April 7, 2025, at 11:00 am at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.
Gerhardt was born at home on the family farm on September 29, 1934, to Otto A. and Othelia (Meidinger) Ketterling. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, rural Zeeland, ND. He attended rural school and worked on the family farm north of Zeeland. In 1956, Gerhardt joined the Air Force, serving for four years. He was honorably discharged in 1960. Gerhardt married LaVonne Huber in Zeeland on April 15, 1958. Later that year, LaVonne joined him in Charleston, SC, for the duration of his time in the Air Force.
For a short time, they lived on LaVonne's family farm, then lived north of Zeeland on Gerhardt's family farm. In 1964, they bought their own farm one mile south of Zeeland. Together they built a life raising crops, cattle, and dairy farming all while raising their five children and teaching them discipline, respect, and a strong work ethic. Gerhardt retired from farming in 1999.
Gerhardt was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zeeland and served on the church council as well as superintendent of the Sunday School. He also volunteered at the Zeeland Fire Department. In later years, he drove the local van for South Central Transit.
Gerhardt loved playing cards, bowling, and spending time with family. He will forever hold a special place in the hearts of his grandchildren. Gerhardt will forever be remembered as a kind, honest, and respectful man.
Gerhardt is survived by his wife of 66 years, LaVonne Ketterling, Wishek, ND; three sons, Rodney Ketterling, Wishek, ND; Randy (Mary) Ketterling, Zeeland, ND; Dennis (Natalie) Ketterling, Morris, MN; two daughters, Cindy (Mark) Voller, Strasburg, ND; Cathy (Dave) Goehring, Wishek, ND; grandchildren, Bobby (Missy) Ketterling; Jennifer Ripplinger; Isabella and Lewis Goehring; Olivia (Dalton) Rademacher; Artie Voller; Hunter and Reid Ketterling; great grandchildren, Riley, Reed, and Renner Ketterling; Lorelei, Odessa, and Cozette Ripplinger; one sister, Sharon (Gary) Bollinger, Cold Spring, MN; one sister-in-law, Vangie Ketterling, Wishek, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Othelia Ketterling, daughter-in-law, Vicki Ketterling, three brothers, Walter, Arndt, and Earl; one sister-in-law, Frieda Ketterling.