Frank Kettler

Frank Kettler, 77 of Mobridge and formerly of Webster died on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at his home in Mobridge. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Burial will be at St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home in Wednesday 2-4 P.M. then moving to the church until 8 P.M. with a 7 P.M. Rosary. Frank Kettler was born on August 20, 1936 to Frank and Emma (Opitz) Kettler at Webster, South Dakota. His father died tragically before his birth He was baptized at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden where the family continued to live for about a year before moving to Webster. He was confirmed at St. Otto’s Catholic Church in Webster, he attended St. Otto’s Parochial elementary school and then graduated from Webster High School in 1955. He entered the U.S. Navy where he served on several European cruises and on different carriers as an aircraft mechanic. After his honorable discharge he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he lived a short time and then returned to the Webster area. On October 6, 1962 he was united in marriage to Lauretta Saga also of Webster. The couple made their home in Webster where he was a Deputy Sherriff until 1966 when they purchased the Polka Dot Bar in Webster. Along with operating a successful business he worked full-time as an agent for Hyman Freightways, a freight delivery company and then selling the bar in 1980. Lauretta passed away in June 1981. He then worked for Dakotah, Inc. until the company closed in 1996 and he semi-retired. Not one to sit around, he hauled newspapers to area towns for the Aberdeen American News along with delivering several motor and walking routes. While maintaining his courier responsibilities he also took on the privilege of delivering Meals on Wheels in Webster and neighboring towns and was also employed as a certified driver for the community transit service, transporting adults and children around the town of Webster. He enjoyed this position greatly along with the relationships he developed with his many patrons. He moved to Mobridge in October 2011 where he was an active follower of his grandchildren and took great pride in watching them compete in both sporting and singing events. One to rarely eat a meal at home, he enjoyed dining out and treating his family and friends whenever they could join him. Frank passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Mobridge, South Dakota at the age of 77 years, 4 months and 6 days. Survivors include two sons, Tony (Connie) Kettler of Rapid City, SD and Jesse Hangge of Webster, SD; two daughters, Tori Kettler of Aberdeen, SD and Traci (Jerome) Greger of Mobridge, SD; one brother, James Kettler of St. Paul, MN; one sister, Sister Joan Kettler of Mankato, MN; a brother-in-law, James Anderson of Rapid City, SD; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three sisters and infant twin brothers.