Walter Bernard Vetter

Walter “Walt” Bernard Vetter, 95, died July 12, 2017, at Ecumen Prairie Hill in St. Peter, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Peter. Visitation will be Friday, July 14, from 4-7 p.m. at the church and will resume at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Memorials are preferred to hospice team of choice, Church of St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Peter, or charity of donor’s choice.

Walt was born September 1, 1921 to Paul and Anna (Binder) Vetter in Kasota, Minnesota. He attended John Ireland School and graduated from Kasota School and the Trades School for Welding in Shakopee. Walt married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Bernice A. Homer, on June 4, 1945. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy as a Navy Seabees as a Shipfitters 2 (1941-1945). He was very proud to have served in the U.S. Navy as an Iwo Jima veteran in World War II. Walter was the co-founder of Vetter Stone Company along with his father and three brothers in 1951. He was also the co-founder of Vetter Sales and Service with his wife, Bernice, and two sons, Jim and Jerry, in 1964. Walt was very proud of the City of Kasota and the people who lived there. He was the mayor and served the City of Kasota for over 50 years; he was known as “Mr. Kasota.” He was a long-time member of the Kasota Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Church of St. Peter, Kasota Legion, VFW, and Knights of Columbus. When he was mayor he was involved in Region Nine Development, COG (City of Governments), Minnesota Valley Action Council, and League of Minnesota Cities. Walt loved the outdoors. In his younger years he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He especially liked to coon hunt and raise and train his bluetick coon hounds. Walt loved his family and was very proud of them and their accomplishments.

Walt is survived by his children, Kathy (Dean) Steiner of St. Peter and Jerry (Cathy) Vetter of North Mankato; five grandchildren: Kimberly (Mark) Giebel of Mankato, Michael (Erika) Steiner of Farmington, Dustin (Jennifer) Vetter of Ocala, Florida, Ryan (Anne) Vetter of Eagan, and Jason (Jaimie) Vetter of Savage; six great-grandchildren: Andrew and Steven Giebel, Lucy and Ty Steiner, Anthony and Aydon Vetter; great-great grandson, Blake Vetter; and two brothers, Willard and Howard Vetter. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Bernice (2012); son, Jim (2016) and daughter-in-law, Nancy (2016); brother, Paul and wife, Shirley Vetter; sister-in-law, Joyce Vetter; niece, Ann Vetter; sister- in-law, Doris Vetter, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Thank you to the staff of Ecumen Prairie Hill and to the Mayo Hospice Team East for their kindness, guidance, and excellent care for our father.