Elmer Kettler

Elmer F. Kettler, age 93 of Melrose, died peacefully on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, June 6 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove. Rev. Vince Lieser will be officiating with Rev. Marv Enneking, Rev. Mitch Bechtold, and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council will pray at 6 p.m., followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Elmer Frank Kettler was born December 6, 1922 in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Frank and Agnes (Schmiesing) Kettler. On June 27, 1950 he married Erma Petermeier at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. After their marriage, Elmer continued farming the family farm with his wife, Erma for 30 years. They moved to Melrose when their son, Ron took over the family farm. During retirement, Elmer continued to help his son on the farm. He enjoyed ice fishing, bowling, playing cards, mowing the lawn, and being around children, especially babies.

Elmer was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the Sts. Bernard and Elizabeth Council.

Survivors include his wife, Erma Kettler of Melrose; children, Diane (Tom) O'Connor of St. Paul, Karen (Mark) Kettler-Tepley of St. Louis Park, daughter-in-law, Kathy Kettler of Melrose, Pam (Dan) Rolfes of St. Joseph, and Barb Kettler of St. Joseph; ten grandchildren, Amy (Rob), Betsy (Jim), Megan (Matt), Michael (Rachel), Mara (Mike), Lola (Mike), Ben, Uriah, Jesse (Bryce), and Abby; ten great-grandchildren and Baby Quale due to arrive in September; brothers and sister, Francis (Marlene) Kettler of Maple Grove, Rosemary Swanson of Boise, Idaho, Don Kettler of St. Paul, Conrad (Pudge) Kettler of Sauk Centre; sisters-in-law, Julianna Kettler of Melrose, Rose Kettler of Cleveland, Ohio, and Pat Kettler of Chanhassen.

Elmer was preceded in death by his son Ron Kettler on May 25, 2016; brothers, Leander, Herbert, George, Richard, and Roman Kettler; and sisters-in-law, Jenny Kettler and Evelyn Kettler.

Serving as casket bearers Mark Tepley, Tom O'Connor, Dan Rolfes, Mike O'Connor, Uriah Rolfes, and Ben Kettler. Cross bearer will be Mara Frieler and scripture bearer will be Lola Quale. Serving as gift bearers will be Abby Kettler, Jesse Sunsdahl, Betsy O'Connor, and Megan Unga. Reader will be Amy Stolpestad.