Click Here to View the Funeral

Kenneth Doerr, age 96, of Hettinger, ND, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the Western Horizon Care Center.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. followed by a Family and Friends Service at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, all at the Centennial Chapel of Evanson Jensen Funeral Homes in Hettinger, ND.

Service of Remembrance for Kenny will be Monday, March 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. MT at the United Methodist Church on Airport Road in Hettinger, ND.  Pastor Paul Pleuddeman and Pastor Lou Witmer will officiate, and burial will follow at the Hettinger Cemetery.

Kenneth William Doerr was born on October 18, 1929, on the family farm near Lodgepole, SD, to Harry and Viola (Larsen) Doerr.  He was the seventh of nine children.

Kenny attended his first 8 years of school at the Lodgepole School  and finished his 4 years of high school in Hettinger.  While in high school, he was active in sports and became a charter member of the National Guard. His first training for the Guard was held in the basement of the Adams County Court House.  After he graduated from high school, he helped build an Armory building in Hettinger and also one in Mott, ND.

He married his high school sweetheart, Vada Stocking, on October 9, 1950.  This union was blest with six children, Barb, Gary, Larry, Keith, Delmar and Shelly. Shortly after his marriage, Ken was called into active duty with the Army National Guard and was stationed in Germany.  After returning from his time in the service, he and Vada purchased a farm and land in the Lodgepole area where they farmed and ranched.  They later moved to another farm near the Grand River.  He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his neighbors when it was time to work cattle or shear sheep.  Kenny was a talented carpenter and was instrumental in the construction of new buildings and remodels in the area.  He was proud of the fact that he was a part of building the United Methodist Church in the mid 1970's.  He served on many boards and committees through the years.  He was also very involved in his church and was Lay Leader for many years.

In 1978, Kenny and Vada sold their farm and moved to Hettinger.  After the move, Ken worked for Great Plains Supply, Adams County Soil Conservation and helped various farmers during their busy times.  He was an avid sports fan, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the stands watching any sport and for any age group.  He especially did not miss any events in which his grandchildren participated.   Ken was well known for the peanut brittle that he made.  He and Vada spent many hours making and selling the candy from a recipe that he perfected.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years Vada, son Gary in 2024, his parents, and 7 of his siblings.  He is survived by daughters Barb (Doug) Johnson, Shelly (Tom) Geerts, sons Larry (Suzanne) Doerr, Keith (Susan) Doerr, Delmar Doerr, daughter-in-law Marilyn Doerr, thirteen grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren, and sister June (Bill) Stevens.