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Published March 12, 2009, 12:05 PM

John Kertscher

Detroit Lakes native John Kertscher, 71, of Battle Lake, Minn., died Sunday, March 1, 2009 in Mesa, Ariz., after a six-month battle with lung cancer. A memorial service was held Friday, March 6 in Tucson, Ariz. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at the United Methodist Church in Henning, Minn.

April 26, 1937-March 1, 2009

Detroit Lakes native John Kertscher, 71, of Battle Lake, Minn., died Sunday, March 1, 2009 in Mesa, Ariz., after a six-month battle with lung cancer.

John Henry Kertscher was born to Leonard and Anna (Larson) Kertscher on April 26, 1937 in Detroit Lakes. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1955. John served three years in the U.S. Army, and then attended the Wahpeton State School of Science. He worked for Tracy Electric, Ross Laboratories, 3M and Toshiba, all in Mitchell, S.D., before retiring in 1994.

John married Darlene Rosenkranz on Aug. 12, 1961 in Rosholt, S.D. They moved to Alexandria, S.D., in 1962, and resided there for nearly 36 years, until they moved to Battle Lake in 1998 to be closer to family.

John had many hobbies. He loved hunting, fishing and golfing. He enjoyed sharing his homemade pickled fish, beef jerky and cookies. John served on the school board in Alexandria and was an active member of the United Methodist Church, serving over the years as a Sunday school teacher, lay speaker and chairman of the administrative council in both Alexandria and Henning, Minn. John was also a member of the Moose in Mitchell, S.D.

Surviving John are his wife, Darlene; two daughters, Sharon (Rick) Ziegler of Mooreton, N.D., and Anna (Tim) Harrington of McDonough, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; his brothers, Frederick (Ruth), Leonard (Caroline) and Lester (Pat) Kertscher, all of Detroit Lakes, and Allen (Valerie) Kertscher of Barnesville; and sisters, Fern Kane of Roseville, Minn., Elaine (Curt) Livingood of Olivia, Minn., and Lorraine (Elmer) Seim of Detroit Lakes.

Preceding John in death were his parents; son Steven; brother Richard; sister, Ann Stanton; and brother-in-law, Wesley Kane.

A memorial service was held Friday, March 6 in Tucson, Ariz.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21 at the United Methodist Church in Henning, Minn.

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C W.
03/15/2009 6:07 PM

John was "Uncle Johnie", and always a favorite of the kids! He was the one who always asked us about school, if we had a new boyfriend, or let us chase him around with tag football. He was a grown -up kid, the best compliment a kid could give anyone! I join with many who wish his wife and family my caring thoughts. Connie Claire (Seim) Welander Portland, OR

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Dave _.
Detroit Lakes, MN     03/12/2009 10:10 PM

Going to miss his weekly visits.

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