Martin Ketterling

Martin Oliver Ketterling, 75, formerly of Heil, ND, was called home to the Lord on October 12, 2024, at his home in Bismarck, ND. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at Bismarck Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Ferrie officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM CDT at Prairie View Cemetery, Heil, ND. 

A visitation will be held Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 PM CDT at Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitationwill continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. 

Martin ‘Marty’ was born on July 17, 1949, in Elgin, ND to Arndt and Gertrude (Stegmaier) Ketterling, he was the youngest of ten children. He was a 1967 graduate of Elgin Public School. 

Marty was united in marriage to Phyllis Brodehl on November 17, 1968. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1968 and was stationed in San Diego, CA, Kodiak Island, AK, and Charleston, SC. While in San Diego, alone in his barracks, the Lord Jesus called Marty to be His own. It was a life-changing experience for him (an answer to his mother’s many prayers). It was then and there; he went out to buy aBible and began to read it in earnest. In 1971, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and returned home to Heil to operate the Heil Grain Elevator and continued to doso for the next 25 years before “retiring” to ranching. 

In 1986, Marty and Phyllis lovingly welcomed their daughter, Tasha, into their home. Marty and Tasha had aspecial bond as she was his “Precious”. Together they enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and raising the many different animals she would sneak home from the sale barn and grain elevator. In 2008, Marty received the official title of “Papa”. Over the next few years, he enjoyed sharing the many activities he and Tasha had enjoyed, but this time with his grandchildren. They were his pride and joy, and he loved them dearly. Marty was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2018. In 2021, Marty and Phyllismoved to Bismarck where his needs could be more fully met. By the grace of God and strong support system, he was able to remain in his home until his death. 

Marty is survived by his wife of 55 years, Phyllis; daughter,Latasha (Brian) Zuroff; grandchildren, Aidan, Quinn, and Macy; brothers, Phil Ketterling, Tom Ketterling, and Tim Ketterling; sisters, Harriet Levorsen and Mary Underwood; mother-in-law, Jeanette Brodehl; as well as many nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arndt and Gertrude; father-in-law, David Brodehl; brother, Mark Ketterling; and sisters, Allegra Bloom, Barb Steuck, and Cathy Eslinger. 

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in memory of Marty to Bible Broadcasting Network, https://bbn1.bbnradio.org/english/donate/ or CHI Health at Home & Hospice, https://chihealthathome.info/hospice-care/