Ronald Ray Ketter

Longtime Goodland resident Ronald Ray Ketter, age 73, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2020. 

Ron was born March 10, 1947 to Celestine John and Ilone Mary (Oster) Ketter in St. Francis, Kansas.  He grew up on the family farm south of St. Francis, attended the Sunny Ridge Country School through 6th grade, when the country school closed Ron began his 7th grade year in St. Francis and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1965.  On September 3, 1966 he married Sally Klassen in Goodland.  To this union two children were born, Kimberly Rai and Jason Shane. 

Ron began employment at Siegfried Redimix in St. Francis, then Walz Machine Shop in Bird City.  He helped with the construction of Great Western Sugar Company in Goodland and Toledo, Ohio.  After returning to Goodland from Toledo he began trucking, after many miles and years, he started Tri State Commodities, Inc. in 1981.  Later he added Western Alfalfa Company in 1989.  Ron continued working both businesses until his death.  He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Goodland Elks.  He enjoyed deer and pheasant hunting, spending time at his trailer at Trenton Lake, pontoon fishing, or anything that included spending time with his family and friends.   

He is survived by his mother, Ilone Ketter of St. Francis, KS; daughter, Kim  (Rich) Bateman of Goodland; son, Jason (Kerri) Ketter of Goodland; granddaughters, Alexis Bateman of Derby, KS; Taitem and Tori Ketter of Goodland; grandsons, Zane Bateman, Ty and Trey Ketter of Goodland, KS; sister, Connie Johnson of Liberal, KS; sister, Karen (Vernon) Isaac of Goodland, KS; brother, Kenneth (Sherryl) Ketter of Kanorado, KS; sister, Sherry (Don) Gilliland of Bird City, KS; brother, Gary Ketter of Dayton, OH; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sally; father, CJ; and grandparents. 

Memorials may be designated to OLPH Catholic Church or VFW Post 1133 and may be left at the services or mailed to Bateman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 278, Goodland, KS  67735

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