Obituary: Michael Leroy Kettner

Michael Leroy Kettner, 73, passed away on June 4, 2023. He was born in Gary, Indiana to Arletta Rae Hubbell and William Stolle on Oct. 22, 1949. He grew up in Cloquet and attended high school with the class of 1968.

Mike was a traveling man and experienced many adventures traveling across the country by foot or on motorcycle. Mike shared four children, Jenna, Matthew, Kaitlyn and Nathaniel, with his wife of 5 years, Cheryl Voorhees, and a son, Raymond, with Jill Grabau. He took great pride in graduating college from the College of St. Scholastica in 1992 as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and had a passion for working with youth across the state and throughout the tribal communities. Mike married Julie Spence in 2007, and they spent their days traveling and enjoying life and family together. They never went far without their favorite dog duo, Addie Crooked Nose and Willow Whitefoot! Most people will remember him for his love of music and the blues, and his love for the North Country and Lake Superior. He was an amazing musician, from songwriting, to guitar strumming, harmonica playing and singing. His "blues family" meant the world to him.

Mike was diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma in March of 2023 and had two tumor resections on his brain. He spent the remainder of his time with his children and grandchildren giving it a brave fight. He still enjoyed lots of guitar playing, fishing, and movies with his family, and enjoyed chatting over his favorite breakfasts with Jon. And he never missed a chance to talk to anyone that would listen, about his loved ones, his music family, and the blues!

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 16 years, Julie Spence Kettner, who died Oct. 25, 2021; his grandmother Ellen Dagmar Hubbell; mother, Arletta Rae Hubbell Kettner; father, William Stolle; stepfather, Jack Kettner; brother Anthony Preston "Prez" Kettner; sister, Susanna Lee "Susie" Kettner Nikko and husband Rudy; stepdaughter Joelle Spence Andreas and husband Serrin; nephew Chaz Elan Kettner; and infant son, Matthew Michael Kettner.

He is survived by daughter Jenna Kettner and partner Jonathan Solseth, with grandchildren Alayna (Dakota), Olivia, Kylie, Charlie, Ellie and Corbin and great-grandkids Emma Lee and Grayson Leroy; daughter Kaitlyn Kettner, with grandchildren Matthew and Ariana; son Nathaniel Kettner (Angela), with grandkids Cameron, Jaxton, McKenzie and Madelyn; son Raymond (Jenna) Grabau; stepchildren Kelly (Matthew) Schreiber, with grandchildren Katy (Sean), Brenna, Logan and Jacob, and Aaron Spence, with grandchildren Alma and Jonah; brother Edward (Angela) Kettner; stepbrother Jack (Aida) Kettner Jr .; sister-in-law, Dixie Lee Kettner; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

A Celebration of Life for Mike will be held 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10 at the Blues Saloon in St. Paul. The family will also have a casual get-together for friends to stop in and say hello in Cloquet 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 at Carmen's Bar & Restaurant.

Pine Knot News Sept. 8, 2023