In Remembrance

Vernon Dale (Ben) Kettner, 83, passed away September 7^th, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. He was employed at Diamond Tool and Horseshoe for 29 years. Then, Saint Germain’s Cabinet Company until his retirement. He was born in International Falls to Floyd and Mary Kettner. His family then moved to West Duluth where he attended Denfeld High School. At 29, he and Marlene Lindblad met and fell in love, and were married in 1970 for 54 Years. Together they had a son Brett and Daughter Corrina. A brief previous marriage also blessed him with a son, Benji. They then moved to Esko. Ben’s outgoing nature and willingness to lend a hand gave him lifelong friends. His strength to endure the tragedies of life with unselfish acceptance, and embrace the good, was impressive. Gratefully his entertaining talent for storytelling will still be handed on to our daughter Corrina. His passing has left a huge hole in our hearts, now that God has called him home, as he was so loved. He was preceded in death by his sons Benji and Brett, his mother Mary, his father Floyd, his sisters Betty and Deloris and his brother Bucky. He is survived by his wife Marlene, daughter Corrina, Grandsons Jakob and Hudson, Granddaughters Meghan and Scarlett, sister Helen, and many nieces and nephews.