Bertram "Bert" Chester Ketzenberg, son of Chester Ketzenberg and Etta Ketzenberg (Shaeffer), was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Boise, Idaho. He was the oldest of his siblings, Gloria (deceased), Colleen (deceased), Geraldine (deceased), Linda, Tom (deceased), Darryl, and John (deceased).
Bert married Bev Swaim, Oct. 10, 1953. They had four children, Randy Ketzenberg of Carnation, Wash., Cindy Ketzenberg of Chehalis, Wash., Ron Ketzenberg (deceased), and Russ Ketzenberg of Chehalis, Wash. He had 11 grandchildren, Tim Ketzenberg, Alicia Nakano, Andrew Ketzenberg, Josh Ketzenberg, Jamie Balick, Matt Ketzenberg, Adam Ketzenberg, Jason Conwell, Jackie Acevado, Candice Quarles, and Sirena Hays; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Bert started working in a logging camp when he was only 16 years old and loved the outdoors. Bert met the love of his life, Bev, and they got engaged before he left to the service, where he served in the 28th M.P. CO 28th Inf Div from 1950 to 1953. He was stationed in Germany and would write letters back to Bev, and they could not wait to get married when he returned from his service in 1953.
Bert and Bev lived in Chehalis, Wash., on a small farm where they had their business, Bert’s Locker Cutting for 40 years before they retired. Bert also was a volunteer firefighter for 16 years from 1984 to 1999, with Lewis County Fire Dept. District 5.
Bert worked side by side with his wife his whole life. They started Bert’s Locker Cutting in 1956. He loved fishing, camping, wood working, farming, and was a very devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Bert was known for his love of sharing his life-time memories through his stories. He passed away April 14, 2021, and is now with the Lord and reunited with the love of his life, his wife, Bev.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., at Bert’s residence in Chehalis, with a graveside at Napavine Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. A reception will be held at Bert’s residence at 4 p.m.
