Edward T. Kettner

Edward T. Kettner passed away on October 2, 2025 at the age of 89. Ed was born March 7, 1936 in the Town of Ellington, Outagamie County, WI, the first of eight children to Charles and Mary (Page) Kettner. He was baptized a child of God on March 13, 1936 at St. Patrick’s church in Stephensville, WI and was confirmed in the Christian faith on May 10, 1949. He attended elementary schools in Milwaukee, Reedsville, Greenville, and Appleton, and graduated form Appleton West High School in 1954. After graduation, he worked in the accounting office at Valley Iron Works, where he first met Talbot Peterson, an officer in the US Army Reserves. In those days, it was possible to fulfill your military obligation in the active Army reserve, which Ed did from August of 1954 to August of 1962, serving as personal secretary to Major Peterson. Later that same year, Ed accepted a job offer in the Engineering Department of Appleton Machine Co. It was at Appleton Machine that Ed met Carol Ann Sasse, who was employed in the Accounting Department. They later married on August 31, 1957, spending over 68 years together.

During his early years of employment, Appleton Machine Co. decided to automate their accounting procedures and asked Ed if he was interested in working on this project. Utilizing IBM electromagnetic punched card equipment usually involved training people in the installation and operation since there were very few people already skilled to operate this equipment. As a result, Ed studied accounting by enrolling in the LaSalle Correspondence School of Chicago and attended evening classes at the Fox Valley Extension of UWFV, as well as several IBM schools in Boston, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee, where he learned to wire the control panels of these new punched card tabulating machines. After months of preparation, these machines were in the Summer of 1957, the same year Ed and Carol were married. Since Ed was the only person able to operate this equipment, their honeymoon was but a long Labor Day weekend. Years later, Ed supervised the installation of an IMB System 3 to upgrade the original punched card equipment. During this time in his career, Ed was a member of the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA) and the National Association of Cost Accountants (NACA), which was very helpful in solving the many problems experienced during the early years of automating accounting procedures previously done manually. In March of 1971, Ed accepted a position with L.M. Becker & Co, again to install an automatic accounting system primarily involving inventory, invoicing, and general ledger. After 23 years, Ed retired as an Executive Vice President in September of 1993. In retirement, Ed did some consulting work with small businesses and, along with Carol, was very active, heading up the senior group at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Retirement finally allowed him the time to enjoy his family and their cabin in Lakewood, WI.

Ed is survived by Carol Kettner, his loving wife of 68 years; his children, Ann Byrne, Brian (Kathy) Kettner, Bruce Kettner, and Jane (James) Ruggiero; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; his sisters, Helen (Robert) Kellnhauser, Ruth Kettner, and Barbara (Dale) Oliver; his brother-in-law, Charles Cannistra; his sister-in-law, Marie Gresens; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Kettner; his sister, Mary Cannistra; and his brothers, John Kettner, William Kettner, and Lawrence Kettner.

A memorial visitation will be held for Ed from 9-11 AM on Friday, October 17, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2220 E. College Ave, Appleton, WI 54915 with a memorial service to follow at 11 AM officiated by Rev. Timothy Seabough. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Kettner Scholarship Fund at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Ed’s family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregiver, Jenny, for all the care, compassion, and expertise shown to Ed during his times of need.