Robert Mettler

Robert Daniel Mettler, 89, of Fargo, ND, died Monday, March 18, 2024, at Edgewood Vista, Fargo ND.

Robert was born December 24, 1934, in Menno, SD to Albert and Ida Katherine (Handel) Mettler. The family moved to the Britton, SD area in March 1944. Robert attended country school and Britton High School. He joined the U.S. army December 5, 1957, and was honorably discharged on November 27, 1959, after serving in Ludwigsburg, Germany.

On January 10, 1960, he married Myrna Gilbertson in Fargo, ND. They were blessed with two children, Anne and Mark. After starting their family, they returned to Britton, SD for a short time before making their home in Grandin, ND. They most recently lived in Fargo, ND, moving there in 2021.

Robert worked at the Scherfenberg Farm, R.F. Gunkelman & Sons, and the Grandin Co-op Oil Company, retiring from the Co-op in 1999 after 25 years. He always liked to stay busy and he worked post-retirement for the City of Grandin mowing and maintaining the gravel roads and for Randy Lemm on his farm. Robert was a very involved member of the Grandin community, serving as a volunteer fireman and Fire Chief, member of city government, active member of the Grandin Presbyterian Church, and a 4H leader. Many Mettler Hereford cattle from the family business in Britton, SD were shown by 4-H members at the Red River Valley Fair and 4-H Trail County Achievement Days annually. He was also a member of the Sons of Norway with Myrna and several Grandin community members. He was an avid gardener and bird watcher, especially wood ducks in Grandin and the geese at Edgewood.

Robert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Myrna, Hillsboro, ND; a daughter, Anne (Dave) Heller, Fargo, ND; and son, Mark (Tetyana) Mettler, Chanhassen, MN; three grandchildren, Jennifer Mettler, Irvine, CA, Matthew (Dana) Heid, Mandan, ND, and David Heid, his fiancée Michelle Sarsland and daughter, Brooklyn, Mandan, ND; one great-grandson, Matthew Robert Heid, Jr., Mandan, ND; sisters, Marianne (Irvin) Kilker, Excelsior, MN and Karen (Bob) Ditmanson, Mesa, AZ; brother, Jim (Barbara) Mettler, Britton, SD; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Leatrice Aman, Bernice Planteen, and Cleva Wallace; brother, Allen Mettler; brothers-in-law, Peter Backlund, Irvin Kilker, Edwin Aman, and Clifford Planteen; sisters-in law, Donna Backlund, Barbara Mettler, and Marion Mettler; and son-in-law, Dave Heller.