Donald Arthur Vettrus, 84, of Hendricks, Minnesota died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at his home in Hendricks. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church in Hendricks, MN. Burial will be in the East Hendricks Cemetery, Hendricks. Visitation will be 5- 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Christ Lutheran Church, Hendricks. The Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Hendricks is entrusted with the arrangements.
Donald Arthur Vettrus was born on January 29, 1936 to Albert and Doris (Beaver) Vettrus in Rolette, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm outside of Rolette and was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He attended school in Rolette from first grade through 11th and graduated from Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1955. He worked as a ranch hand in Montana and then joined the Air Force. He met his wife, Sharon Hexem, when he was hospitalized in Minneapolis after a medical discharge. They were married on June 11, 1960 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Hendricks. He worked as a grocery clerk, boiler repairman and dairy equipment dealer. He later graduated from Wahpeton State School of Science and worked as an electrician in Owatonna, Red Wing, Big Stone Power Plant and South Dakota State University. He also enjoyed being a dairy farmer and working at Hendricks Hardware. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran and later Christ Lutheran. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage, his father having been born in Stavanger, Norway. He was a member of the Sons of Norway. He enjoyed antique cars and tractors, winters in Texas, camping, doing stained glass projects and being with family. He will be remembered as a wonderful husband, loving and supportive father, a kind grandfather and faithful Christian who believed in the power of prayer. He will also be remembered for his great sense of humor, friendliness, and a quiet caring nature – one who enjoyed and appreciated the blessings in life.
Don is survived by his wife and best friend of 60 years, Sharon; daughter, Kimberly (Daniel) Fixen; son, Kent (Jill) Vettrus; grandchildren, Amanda (Nathan) Besse, Elizabeth Fixen, Noah and Haley Vettrus; great grandchildren, Ava and Hudson Besse; sister-in-law, Ruthie Vettrus; brother-in-law, Wayne Hexem and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marian Holmly; brother, Bob Vettrus; and brothers-in-law, Doyle Holmly and Rodney and James Hexem.
