Most Rev. Austin A. Vetter Bishop | Diocese of Helena

Loretta Vetter, the mother of Bishop Austin Vetter of the Diocese of Helena, died on April 27, 2025, at the age of 94. She passed away peacefully at Missouri Slope in Bismarck.

Bishop Vetter shared a message with the community:

"My mother dear, Loretta Vetter, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 94. It is touching that she reached the end of her earthly pilgrimage at the end of the Easter Octave, Divine Mercy Sunday, and it is a great reminder of our faith in the Resurrection. Please join me in praying for the repose of her soul. She was a wonderful lady, a true disciple of the Lord, who loved the Church and our family so well. I am so grateful that God chose her for my mother, and that I was able to visit her recently on Palm Sunday weekend.

Tomorrow, I will travel back from Rome to Bismarck to be with my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and many other friends and family. The funeral will be later this week.

Thank you so very much for the many prayers for my mother and my family in these past weeks and in these days to come. I am touched by your care for me as your Bishop. Know also of my prayers for you.

In Christ, I am

Bishop Vetter Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen."

Loretta Braun was born on June 26, 1930 in rural Strasburg to John and Katherine Braun. She attended country school through eighth grade before marrying August Vetter on October 21, 1952. The couple farmed east of Linton until their retirement in 1985 when they moved into Linton.

She was an active member at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church as well as organizations such as Catholic Daughters, Christian Mothers and Catholic Order of Foresters.

After August's death in 2017 Loretta lived with her eldest daughter Connie Gross before moving to Missouri Slope Care Center last year.

Loretta is survived by eleven children—including Bishop Austin Vetter—46 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren; several siblings; and numerous extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Jane Silbernagel; daughter-in-law Kimberly Vetter; two grandsons Dallas Gross and Robert Vetter; along with several siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday May 1 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Bismarck with Bishop Austin Vetter presiding. Interment will follow at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Linton later that day.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday April 30 from 5:00 PM until a Vigil service at 7:00 PM at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed via Loretta’s obituary page as well as on Corpus Christi’s YouTube channel.

The family has expressed appreciation to Missouri Slope staff for their care during Loretta's final months. Memorials received will support needs at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Linton.