Gilbert Ketterling

GILBERT KETTERLING was born to Andrew and Christina (Bietz) Ketterling on May 25, 1919, in Scotland, South Dakota. Early in his childhood, he moved with his family to Washburn, North Dakota. He was raised there and received his education, completing country school through the eighth grade. Following his schooling, he helped his parents on the family farm. On March 22, 1941, Gilbert was drafted into the U.S. Army. During his service in World War II, he was stationed in California, Washington, Hawaii, and the South Pacific Ocean. On February 6, 1945, he was wounded in action. Gilbert was awarded the Purple Heart medal and on July 31, 1945 was honorably discharged from the service. He returned to the United States and his parents’ home, who were living at the time in Luverne, Minnesota. He then took a job as a dam worker and worked projects in both North Dakota and Montana. In 1953, Gilbert returned to Luverne to work on the family land. He continued for the next fifty plus years, living on an acreage south of town. In March of 2004, Gilbert moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne where on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 he died peacefully at the age of 95 years, one month and 14 days.

Gilbert was very proud of his service to his country and those he fought alongside. His lifelong love was working with cattle and farming.

He is lovingly remembered by his two nephews, Kenneth and his wife, Brenda Ketterling of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Bill and his wife, Carolyn Ketterling of Luverne; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Christina; and two brothers, Emil Ketterling and Richard Ketterling.