Jul. 14, 1928 - Feb. 14, 2017
Date of Service: Feb. 20, 2017
Elmer E. Ketterling passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the age of 88 at Valley Vista Care Center.
Elmer was born to Jacob and Caroline Ekman Ketterling on July 14, 1928 in Wishek, North Dakota. He lived there along with his four brothers: Alvin, Ted, Ruben and Leo, and three sisters: Ida, Ruth and Viola. They moved to Edgely, North Dakota until a severe drought made them leave North Dakota in 1936. They moved to Rupert, Idaho where they did field work until they bought a farm.
Elmer attended Rupert grade school and High School where he met and married Francis Johnson in December 1947. They farmed North of Rupert and had a small dairy. They had three children Judy, Lynn and Cindy.
Elmer worked in the sugar factory several campaigns and served as a county commissioner for six years. Due to the illness of his wife he retired in 1992 and cared for her until her passing.
In November, 1994 Elmer married Alta Renz. They lived in Paul, then Heyburn. They also spent 21 winters in Yuma, Arizona. In 2015, they decided to stay in Heyburn as their health was declining.
Elmer is survived by his (wife Alta), his son Lynn (Jeanne) Ketterling of Eagel, ID. His two daughters Judy (Mike) Matheson of Orofino, ID, and Cindy (Larry) Goffinet of Rupert, ID. Also 2 brothers Ted of Oklahoma, Leo of Rupert, ID, and 1 sister Ruth Villhauer of Portland, OR and three step children Steve (Debi) Renz, Meridean, ID, Jeanne (Frank) Jensen, Heyburn, ID and Tammy (Larry) Dessel, Paul, ID.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Caroline Ketterling, his wife Francis, 2 sisters Ida Buerkle and Viola Schenk, 2 brothers Alvin and Rueben, 3 brothers in law Richard Schenk, Godlich Bollinger and Emil Buerkle, granddaughter LA Jean Ketterling and step grandson Casey Dessel.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday February 20, 2017 at the Paul Congregational Church. Viewing for family and friends will be held from 4-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 19, 2017 at the Mortuary and for one hour prior to the services at the church. Services will conclude with burial in the Paul Cemetery under the direction of Hansen Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at hansen-mortuary.com
Funeral Service
Date of Service: Feb. 20, 2017
