John E. Vetter

John E. Vetter, 80, of Fort Collins and Laramie, Wyoming passed away peacefully in his Fort Collins home on Monday, August 23rd. John was born on January 30, 1930 in Johnstown, Colorado to Villa and John W. Vetter. He was raised on the family farm in Johnstown and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1949. He worked for REA prior to enlisting in the Air Force. He was stationed in Germany from 1950 - 1954 where he met and married his bride, Kathy Irmgard Guffert. They returned to Colorado in 1954 and together they raised two sons, Kenneth John and Daniel Hardy. John worked for Pacific Finance while attending classes at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He was hired in 1957 and worked for CSU's Atmospheric Science Department in Administration for 16 years. He retired in 1973 and he and Kathy moved to Laramie, Wyoming to open the Connet Shop, a women's fine clothing store. They ran a successful business together, retiring in 1993. After "retiring" John worked 10 years with the Laramie School District's Transportation Department. John had many local Laramie community interests and was involved in numerous city committees and charities and was an active member with the BPOE Elks Club, climbing the chairs to Exalted Ruler in 1979. John could be quite ornery at times but was a friend to many. He loved his cabin in the Medicine Bow National Forest and welcomed many family and friends to his mountain home. He loved snowmobiling, fishing, hunting and tinkering with his shop. He was an honest, hardworking farm boy at heart who rolled with life's many punches. He loved his wife and family dearly. He will be missed by many. John was preceded in death by his parents, Villa and John W. Vetter; sisters, Myrtle, Margaret, Mildred, and brother, Maynard. Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of 56 years; son, Kenneth John Anne; and grandchildren, Kyle James and Audrey Rose, of Fort Collins; son, Daniel Hardy Sue of Tombstone, AZ; and grandchildren, John Daniel; great-grandchildren, twins Zach and Aurora, and granddaughter, Nicole Katerina as well as many other close relatives. A celebration of Johns' life and a private family gathering is being planned. His family requests that any memorial donations please be made in his name to Pathways Hospice, Fort Collins, CO.