Bernard "Bernie" Guetter

Bernard “Bernie” F. Guetter, age 73, of Redwood Falls, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.  Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 8, 2024, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls with burial at 1 p.m. in The Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. A visitation will be held Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a Parish Prayer Service at 7 p.m. followed by a Rosary, and visitation will continue on Friday, March 8, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m., all at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls.

Bernard “Bernie” Guetter was born October 31, 1950 in Springfield, Minnesota; the son of Francis and Veronica Guetter.  He was raised on the family farm near Wabasso and was baptized and confirmed at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Bernie graduated from St. Anne’s Catholic School in 1969 and continued his education at the Willmar Vo-tech receiving a welding degree.  He was drafted into the United States Army where he served his country in Texas from 1970-1972 and later was presented with a 50 year Membership Award by the American Legion.  Bernie returned home to Wabasso and was employed at Zeugs and Schult Homes. On September 24, 1977 Bernie married Penny Sorem at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso.

He was an active member of the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church serving as an usher, communion distributor and a KC’s Grand Knight.   Bernie loved fishing with his brother Jerome for over 30 years, decorating outside Christmas lights, gardening, sharing produce, doing puzzles during the winter, and bike riding and walking.  He also enjoyed playing softball including the County and City leagues, Church league with Ashley and playing in the Basketball league.  

He is survived by his wife, Penny of Redwood Falls; daughters, Katie and husband Jayson Read of Cologne, MN, and Ashley Rood and her fiancé Christopher Schmidt of St. Cloud; grandchildren, Madelyn, Tenley, Hathaway and Maisy Read of Cologne, MN, Hunter, Robin, Claire and Henry Rood of St. Cloud, MN; brothers, Ben Guetter and wife Linda of Wabasso, Jerome Guetter and wife Bonni of Redwood Falls; sisters, Liz Burnette of Redwood Falls, Jan Regnier and special friend Mark Jensen of Litchfield; sister-in-law, Sue Guetter of Willmar; brothers-in-law, Dan Sorem and wife Deb of Brookings, SD, Dave Sorem and wife Darla of Rossmoor, CA.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Veronica Guetter; brother, Edward Guetter; father and mother-in-law, Ronald and Ella Sorem; brother-in-law, Michael Sorem. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne’s School Building Fund, Kickin Cancer of Redwood County, or Friends of the Park.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com.

Blessed be his memory.