Kenneth "Ken" Vettel

Ken’s service will be viewable on this page starting Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 1:00PM.

Kenneth George Vettel, 96, from Caledonia, ND, peacefully passed away on June 19, 2023 at Bethany on 42nd, surrounded by family.

Kenneth was born on February 15, 1927 at home in Caledonia to Ernest and Florence Vettel. He grew up in Caledonia, attending school there until his junior year when he nobly enlisted into the Navy at the age of 17. He was Fireman First Class on the USS New Jersey Battleship during World War II. After service Kenneth farmed with his father and later went on to operate heavy equipment in road construction. From 1963 through 1999 Kenneth farmed and trapped with brother Richard.

Kenneth was united in marriage in 1955 to the love of his life, Delores Marie Ackerman at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro.

Kenneth and Delores frequented barn dances and taught many of his children and grandchildren to dance. Kenneth loved his family dearly and shared his passion of hunting, fishing, trapping, water sports, gardening, and everything outdoors. Kenneth and Delores raised 6 beautiful children in Caledonia. He loved his kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with his whole heart and then some. He had a soft spot for the little ones and would love to walk the floors with a crying baby or rock them in the rocker. His trap line went for miles, his fishing line has combed many waters, and his rifle brought home the meat to his family year after year. Towards the end of his life, candy and desserts were a staple and even as a young child earned him the nickname of “Candy”. Kenneth and Delores were lifelong members of St. Rose of Lima and Kenneth was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Kenneth is survived by his wife Delores; sons, David (Kimberly) Vettel, Ernest (Raylene) Vettel; daughters, Kathleen (David) Fine, Diane (Michael) Haroldson, Cynthia (Timothy) Mastrud; Grandchildren, Adam (Jennifer) Vettel, Jennifer (Nicholas) Sprecher, Kyle (Heather) Vettel, Jaden (Kayla) Vettel, Shane (Courtney) Vettel, Katie (Gregory) Bush, Evan (MacKenzie) Vettel, Hunter Vettel, Benjamin (Amanda) Fine, Samuel (Elizabeth) Fine, Erika (Kyle) Meister, Jermey (Lori) Haroldson, Michaela Haroldson, Danielle (Tylor) Weiss, Charity (Christopher) Caves, Christina (Eli) Jones, Gabriel Haroldson, Dylan (Alysa) Mastrud, Blake (Andrea) Mastrud, Rose Mastrud; and 27 Great-Grandchildren.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his daughter, Rose Vettel and grandson Christopher Vettel; parents, Ernest and Florence Vettel; brothers, Richard (Darlene) Vettel and Lowell ”Pat” (Joan) Vettel; and sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” (Carl) Nelson, and Mary (Curtis) Johnson.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 12:00pm with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 1:00pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2711 7th St E, West Fargo, ND with Rev Phil Ackerman, Pastor.

Burial will follow the service immediately at Caledonia Cemetery; lunch will then follow burial, provided by the Altar Society at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro.

Memorial are preferred to Caledonia Cemetery.