Willard "Willy" A. Ketterling

Willard (Willy) August Ketterling, 92, passed comfortably at his home in Larimore, North Dakota (ND). He passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023, with family by his bedside. Hospice of the Red River Valley gave support to Willy and his family the last month of life.  

Willy was born March 21, 1931, at his home in Heil, ND to August Ketterling and Martha (Eggers); he had an older brother, Edgar. His family primarily lived in Carson, ND. He was born during the “dirty thirties” and had his first full-time job, at the age of 13 years, for the Farmers Union as most of the men where off fighting in WWII. Willy almost died at age 4 from tonsillitis and was sickly as a young boy. He was always small but mighty. 

In 1949, Willy graduated from Carson HS where he excelled in multiple sports and was voted class president all 4 years of high school. He was proud to have attended ND Boy’s State that same year which was sponsored by the American Legion Club. Shortly after, Willy followed in his brother, Edgar’s lead and enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War as a Yeoman 2^nd Class (YN2). He protected the waters on various ships and submarines with the USS Bluefish S 222 being the submarine he spent most of his service aboard. After returning, he worked in the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) office. He decided not to make this his career as he went off to college. 

On October 15, 1955, Willy married Merry Lou (Claymore) in Fort Yates, ND. The couple lived in Wahpeton, ND while he went to college before transferring to the University of North Dakota (UND). On June 5, 1960, he graduated with a B.A. degree in Journalism. As a family with three daughters, they made their home in Carson to begin a career in newspaper publishing. Willy was the owner and editor for the Carson Press, Grant County News, and New Leipzig Sentinel. He was a member of the Carson Volunteer Fire Department; he served as Chief, the Lions Club and various other community organizations. He was awarded the FFA Honorary Farmer Award on two occasions. Willy played softball with his friends and was known to have an occasional beer. Willy and Merry then had another daughter and a son and were both busy keeping involved with work, family and all of their activities.

The Ketterling family moved to Larimore, ND in 1975 where Willy was the editor of the Larimore Leader and later the Larimore Pioneer. He was especially proud of driving school bus for the Larimore School District for 33 years and worked at two local establishments until he was 88 years old. He coached Legion Baseball and Girls Softball. Willy was a strong believer of supporting the community and was a member of the American Legion Club. He enjoyed his trips to Carson to be with friends and hunt.

One of Willy’s most memorable and proud moments was his trip to Washington, DC for the Veteran’s Honor Flight of ND/MN. He was escorted by his son, Nathan (U.S. Marine) and joined by his daughter, Rene’ and her family. He has left a legacy to all of us of an envied work ethic, faithful support for his community, consistent and relied loyalty to his friends, a steadfast sense of honesty, unwavering faith in his Lord and passionate love for his family; not to mention his great humor, stories and love for gardening,  sports, hunting, fishing and playing cards. Willy celebrated his 90^thbirthday with his children, grand children and great grandchildren surrounding him. After Merry’s passing, Willy was active in his church and met for coffee each morning at the Senior Center with a great group of friends. He continued to support the Larimore High School football team and attend UND football games. He was thankful to live his last years at home with his daughter, Tracy and his dog, Coco, along with frequent visits and care from daughter, Amy.

Willy is survived by his children, Sandra Claymore, Taos, NM; Amy Ketterling, Dickinson, ND; Tracy Ketterling, Larimore, ND; Rene’ Rynestad (Todd), Catlett, VA; and Nathan Ketterling (Ann), Fargo, ND. He had 15 grandchildren, Ashley Rolshoven Loveless (Tyler), Jared Sampson, Zane Forster (Melissa), Seth Forster (Jaylea), 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 Loveless, Sequoia, Aden, Josiah, Avery, and Arya Sampson; Donny Forster; Jack Manolovits; Carter, Anastasia and Adriana Forster; Vann Gorrell; and Dak and Mav Kick.

Willy was preceded in death by his loving wife, Merry (Claymore) Ketterling, his parents August and Martha Ketterling, brother Edgar Ketterling and wife Rosetta, and his in-laws Charles and Elizabeth Claymore along with numerous other family members.

A funeral is scheduled for Monday, May 1, 2023 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Larimore, ND. Visitation will be at 1:00 with the memorial mass at 2:00 pm. Refreshments to follow in the church. Interment services, with full honors, will be held on a later date at the North Dakota Veteran Cemetery in Mandan, ND.

We appreciate the support Willy and our family received from the Hospice of the Red River Valley. Any monitory donations are welcome for this organization or to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.