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February 3, 2021
1921 to 2021, 99 years and 9 months ~ On February 3rd at 7:25 am, our dad, Leonard Kettner went gently to sleep for the last time. He was buried beside our mom in Salmon Arm on Saturday, February 6th at 10:00 AM, long-time friend and former Williams Lake Pastor, Malcolm Pedlar presiding.
Here's to celebrate our dad, grandpa and great-grandfather. 4 Children. And our collective of 14 children and 11, soon to be 12 great-grandchildren.
Here's with a ton of admiration for a man who was at various times referred to as boss, "Mr. Faithful" (by the owners of Jacobson Bros - his employer of 33 years), mentor, confidant, amazing friend and leader. 5'10" and never more than 147 pounds, he was a giant in terms of his scope of influence for good.
Those who knew him well have quite correctly referred to him as a truly gentle man.
A book could be written about the Manitoba farm boy who left Grade 6 following the passing of his dad to become the sole provider for his mom and invalid (polio) sister. He was a self-taught mechanic, welder, millwright and homebuilder with a wealth of practical skills.
He was a giver - committing fully 20% of his gross earnings to the causes he believed in - no matter how much that stretched his modest budget. He converted his household to a fully vegetarian diet in his early 20's. Never smoked. Never drank alcohol or even a single cup of coffee, preferring simply water or milk.
In 1955, having moved to BC several years earlier, he joined Jacobson Bros. Forest Products in Horsefly/Williams Lake as a millwright and rose to Plant Manager over the course of 33 years and his retirement at age 67.
Genuinely humble - always shunning public recognition but nevertheless, out of his sense
of duty and community, he would regularly take on responsibilities of church Head Elder, as well as church board and private school board member or chairperson.
Here's with thanks and appreciation to the Williams Lake community and church family for their friendship over the years. (There will be no service or celebration of life at this time.)
With love and a lifetime of memories,
Dorothy and Don Holland
Howard and Coral Kettner
Calvin and Tamara Kettner
Dean and Cindy Kettner




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