Roman Marvin Ketterling

 Roman M. Ketterling joined his beloved wife, Judy, in eternal glory on October 12, 2025.

Roman was born on January 14, 1934, in McIntosh County, North Dakota, to Alvin and Hulda Ketterling. He was the oldest of five children. After graduating from LaMoure High School in 1951, he served honorably in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959.

Upon returning to North Dakota, Roman decided that farming—though the proud tradition of his grandparents and parents—was not his calling. In 1960, he moved to Westhope, ND, where he worked for Cardinal Petroleum. One morning, as he pulled up to the Red Rooster drive-in in a shiny new black Ford, he first laid eyes on a beautiful blonde named Judy. Thus began a love story that would last 64 years.

Roman and Judy were married on the Damstrom farm on July 6, 1962. Their family began in North Dakota with the births of their first two daughters, Karla and Kristi. In 1966, the Ketterlings moved to Sunburst, Montana, where their family was completed with the arrival of their third daughter, Tricia.

Roman worked in the oilfields of the Sweetgrass Hills and enjoyed many fishing and snowmobiling trips there with his family. The friendships he formed during those years remained dear to him throughout his life. In 1975, the family settled in Conrad, where Roman worked for Phillips Petroleum and later for Cenex, retiring in 1997.

A reserved and hardworking man, Roman took great pride in doing every job well. He could fix anything–and saved everything–in case it might one day be used to fix something else. He loved and was proud of his family, something he reflected on and shared often in his last years.

A dedicated gardener, Roman took great pride in his beautiful flower beds that surrounded his home. He spent countless hours tending to his garden, never tolerating a weed or an unkempt lawn. Each year, he eagerly awaited the arrival of seed catalogs, planning new additions to his blooms.

A man of strong Christian faith, Roman was confirmed in the Lutheran church in 1948 and was a member of Pondera Valley Lutheran Church. He found great comfort in prayer, scriptures and the promise of eternal life.

The past two years without Judy were especially difficult, and Roman missed her deeply every day. His family finds comfort in knowing that the two are reunited once more.

Roman was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Judy; his brother, Richard Ketterling; and his sister, Priscilla Allen. He is survived by his sister Lorraine Feser, his brother Ken (Chris) Ketterling, and his three daughters: Karla (Everett) Breding of Conrad; Kristi (Clint) Campbell of Bozeman; and Tricia (Jim) Quitmeyer of Chandler, AZ. He also leaves behind six grandchildren—Austin Breding, Meagan (Kyle) VandenBos, Ian and Anna Campbell, and Madison and Ethan Quitmeyer—and one great-grandchild, Kole VandenBos.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Extended Care, Conrad Logan Health, for the loving care they provided to a stubborn German when he needed it most. We are forever grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pondera Valley Lutheran Church.

Burial with military honors will be held Saturday, October 25, at 1pm at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial services will follow at 2:00 pm at Pondera Valley Lutheran Church. Cookies and coffee in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service.