Rev. Richard Vettrus, age 78, interim pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church of Rolette, ND, passed away on Monday morning, February 6, 2017 at Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND after an extended illness.

 

Richard Vettrus was born the third child of Rev. Ole and Clara (Olson) Vettrus when they served Zoar Lutheran Brethren Church in Superior, WI, on October 23, 1938. He is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his youngest sister, Jean Vettrus Spahn. Richards grandparents, Kolben and Bertha Vettrus homesteaded south of Rolette in the North Ox Creek area.

Pastor Vettrus graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy and later Lutheran Brethren Seminary, both is Fergus Falls, MN. He also attended Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA and received a Masters in history from Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. Richard served congregations in Floral Park and Brooklyn on Long Island, NY as well as Nanuet, NY, Princeton, NJ, Pasadena, CA, West Union and DeWitt, IA with interim pastorates in Arvada, CO, Eugene, OR, and Rolette, ND.

Richard is survived by older siblings, David Vettrus of Minnesota and Donna Vettrus of California, and younger siblings, Rhoda Vettrus Rubey of Oregon, Joel, Jerome, and Rev. Timothy Vettrus, all of Wisconsin.

 

Honorary Bearers are all family and friends.  Music by Judy Martinson and Timothy Vettrus.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, Rolette, ND with Pastor Dan Chell and Pastor Bob Overgard officiating. Burial will be in North Ox Creek Cemetery, Rolette, ND in the spring.  Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.