Jerome Koetter

Jerome J. Koetter, age 85, died peacefully Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at his home near Freeport.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with Rev. Roger Klassen, OSB officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. Sunday and from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Senior Citizens will pray at 4 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. at the church on Sunday.

Jerome Koetter was born on October 18, 1921 in Oak Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Mathias and Elizabeth (Meyer) Koetter. He was united in marriage to Bernice C. Tiemann on September 11, 1946 at St. Boniface in Melrose, Minnesota. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Society, Catholic Aid, and Catholic Order of Foresters. Jerome enjoyed woodworking, reading, old time music and praying for his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Bernice Koetter of Freeport; children, John Koetter (Teddie) of Union, Mississippi, Mike Koetter (Mary) of Melrose, Jean Loehr (Chuck) of Apple River, Illinois, Charles Koetter (Janice) of St. Cloud, Phyllis Holdvogt (Kenneth) of Eden Valley, Judy Caveny (Patrick) of Melrose, Sandy Roerick (Gary) of Laporte, Ann Ritter (Mike) of Melrose, and Ralph Koetter of Freeport; 27 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and sister, Monica Koetter of Minneapolis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mathias and Elizabeth Koetter; an infant daughter; brothers, Joe, Norbert, Alois, Lawrence Koetter; and sisters, Marie Dresback, Sr. Hiliarian, OSB, and Sr. Adelaide S. Sp. S.Casket bearers will be Matt Koetter, Bill Koetter, David Loehr, Sam Koetter, Paul Holdvogt, Aaron Caveny, Tom Roerick and Cody Ritter. Cross bearer will be Sean Caveny. Scripture bearer will be Katie Loehr.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Catholic School for tuition assistance.