Elroy James Ketterling died February 1, 2017 at the age of 79, at the Fort Meade VA Hospice after a courageous 17-year battle with Lymphoma IV Cancer.

He was born May 21, 1937 in Lehr, ND to Theodore and Martha (Whittmeyer) Ketterling. He married Elaine Salmon on August 14, 1960 and they had two daughters, Anita and Marlene.

Elroy served in the U.S. Army for two years, from 1961-1963, and was stationed at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. He continued to serve in the U. S. Army Reserve until he was honorably discharged in 1967. He worked at Homestake for 38 years as a logging truck driver in Spearfish and mechanic (millwright) in Lead. He was active as the AFL-CIO union president while in Spearfish.

He married Doris Albee Frasier on August 1, 1992 and they moved to Java, SD, where he enjoyed fishing and boating in his retirement years. He also enjoyed his role as a school bus driver for Selby Schools. The couple moved back to Spearfish in 2009.

Elroy was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Doris, Spearfish; daughters, Anita Rochester, Rapid City, SD and Marlene (Jeff) Swartz, Arvada, CO; three grandchildren, Rachel Rochester, Aurora, CO, Matthew Rochester, Aurora, CO and Brady Swartz, Arvada CO; brothers, Virgil Ketterling, Annadale, VA and Duane (Audrey) Ketterling, Java, SD; sister, Ardella (Jim) Kranzler, Lehr, ND, and his stepchildren, Larry Frasier, Gillette, WY, Judy (Ken) Noran, Spearfish, SD, Brenda (Mike) Moore, Kevin (Jeannie) Frasier, Spearfish and Mike Frasier, Neodshea, KS; and numerous nieces, nephews and step-grandchilden.

Memorial service will be at 10:30 am on June 1, 2017 at the Black Hills National Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Boulder Canyon Station Convention Center in Sturgis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com