Merry Loiuse Ketterling

Obituary for Merry Louise (Claymore) Ketterling Merry Louise (Claymore) Ketterling, 84, of Larimore, North Dakota, passed away on Sunday, July 11th at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She was born at her family home in Wakpala, South Dakota on December 24, 1936. Merry was raised in Ft. Yates, North Dakota where she attended Mission School and later graduated from Ft. Yates High School in 1954. Following high school, she attended X-ray school at The School of Medical Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On October 15, 1955, Merry was united in marriage to Willard (Willy) Ketterling in Ft. Yates. The couple lived in Wahpeton, North Dakota before moving to Grand Forks, North Dakota where Willy attended the University of North Dakota (UND). In 1960, Merry and Willy moved to Carson, North Dakota where she worked as the Secretary for the Grant County State’s Attorney. She was on the board for the Grant County Draft Board, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and an active member of the Women’s Legion Auxiliary. In 1975, the couple moved to Larimore, North Dakota. Merry was employed with Northwood Deaconess Medical Health Center and continued to volunteer as an EMT. She volunteered several years for the Red River Hospice program. Later Merry worked as the Secretary to the Superintendent of Larimore Public Schools and transitioned to UND as the Secretary for the American Indian Studies Department while working towards a Bachelor's degree in American Indian Studies. Merry was especially proud of the fact that she was able to contribute many items to the UND American Indian Cultural Center. She was the proud recipient of the UND Martin Luther King Award for her strong belief in the need for inclusion and diversity. Merry was an honored storyteller that spread information about the culture and history of Native Americans; mostly targeting our youth. Merry is survived by her children, Sandra Claymore, Taos, NM; Amy Ketterling, Dickinson, ND; Tracy Ketterling, Larimore, ND; Rene’ Rynestad (Todd), Catlett, VA; and Nathan Ketterling (Anna), Fargo,ND. Grandchildren, Ash Rolshoven Loveless (Tyler), Jared Sampson, Zane Forster (Melissa), Seth Forster, Kaitlyn Gorrell (Clint), Libby Kick (Tate), Bobby Joe Smith III, Christian Thomas, Tessa Claymore, Friday Elijah Thomas, Basil Rynestad, Sadie Rynestad (Joe), Caden Rynestad, Austin Ketterling, and Ian Ketterling. Great-grandchildren, Landon Lakota Loveless; Sequoia, Aiden, Josiah, Avery, and Arya Sampson; Donny Forster; Jack Manolovits; Carter, Anastasia, and Adriana Forster; Dak and Mav Kick. Merry was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Elizabeth Claymore; her sisters, Thelma and LaVina; her brothers, Earl and Gernell; her in-laws, Edgar and Rosetta Ketterling, and numerous other family members. The funeral service for Merry Ketterling is planned for Friday, September 17th in Bismarck, North Dakota. The service will begin at 11:00 am, at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, on 508 Raymond Street. A reception with lunch will follow at UTTC - United Tribes Technical College on 3315 University Dr. in the Multi-Purpose Room, at the Lewis Goodhouse Wellness Center. After the reception, the family will have a private burial at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. Anyone wishing to donate to a foundation in Merry’s honor may contribute to the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, the ASPCA - American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hospice Assoc. of America, or UND - American Indian Studies.