Irma Ketterling

Irma Rosemond Olson, daughter of Ole and Ida (Skaalrud) Olson, was born February 16, 1920 in rural Sunburg, Minnesota, where she grew up and began her schooling. After graduating from Brooten High School in 1938, Irma moved to Minneapolis, where she lived for the next 20 years. While living there, she worked for a variety of companies, including Northwest Airlines, Munsingwear, Northern States Power and Boeing in Renton, Washington. On October 4, 1958, she was united in marriage to Dr. Clarence F. "Kett" Ketterling at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis by Reverend Gornitzka. The couple made their home in Wishek, ND, where Irma lovingly embraced the roles of wife to Kett and mother to his three children, Warren, Janell and Colleen. In 1961, the family moved to Morris, Minnesota, where they have continued to live since that time. In 1970, Irma received her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota Morris, after which, she worked as a teacher at the Morris Elementary School. Irma was also an active member of the Federated Church and the Federated Women's Fellowship, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Morris Lions Club, the Literary Club and the Women's Golf Club. Irma and Kett had also been active on foreign mission trips to Nigeria and Madagascar, as well as church building trips in Alaska and Hawley, MN.



Irma died on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at the West Wind Village in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 86 years.



She is survived by: her husband: Dr. C. F. "Kett" Ketterling of Morris; one son: Dr. Warren Ketterling (Deborah Carlsrud) of Rochester; two daughters: Janell (Kenneth) Swanson of Montevideo and Colleen (Robert) Bruns of Grand Forks, ND; six grandchildren: Jacob Bruns, Kelli Ketterling, Amy Ketterling, Emily Swanson, Hayley Swanson and Kyle Swanson and three sisters: Elaine Anderson of Belgrade, Kathryn Smithson of New London and Joyce Vesledahl of Sioux Falls, SD. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother: Obert Olson; one sister: Phyllis Olson; one nephew: Brian Olson and one niece: Cheri Vesledahl.



Pallbearers for the service are: Bradley Anderson, Owen Olson, Kim Olson, Randy Olson, Leon Schultz and Lon Smithson. Honorary pallbearers are All of Irma's Grandchildren and the Federated Church Women's Fellowship. Deb Mahoney will serve as organist for the service with Francie Turner serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.



Family prefers memorials to: MAHS Dollars for Scholars, MN Lions Eye Bank and The Stevens County Historical Society.