Obituary of Andrew (Andy) D. Vetter

Andrew (Andy) D. Vetter 

 

At the age of 64, Andy passed away beautifully and peacefully while surrounded by his wife, Jen and his four daughters, on May 12, 2025. He is now free to be “livin’ the dream!” with his Lord and Savior and is free of the ties that confined him while suffering through 10 years of Frontotemporal Degeneration, a form of Dementia.

 

Andy had an immense passion for family. He is survived by and will be fiercely missed by his best friend and cherished bride of 31 loving years, Jenifer. His goal was to be married to Jen, for as long as her parents have been married – they just celebrated their 62nd year. He was a devoted dad and proud to have raised four independent thinking, strong, compassionate daughters who brought him so much joy.He delighted in watching each of them marry their perfect person, bringing four special men into our lives and finally evening out the female to male ratio in our family from 5 -1 to 5 - 5. Ashley (Lawrence) Luoma, Breanna (Ryan) Anderson, Cassandra (Wyatt) Nelson and Danielle (Dakota) Larson. For over 13 years Andy was blessed to enjoy the sweet joy of being an involved grandpa. He will be lovingly remembered by his 5 grandchildren, Brooke and Jimmie Luoma, Tillie and Pollie Nelson, and Andrea (Andie) Larson. Andy is also survived by his brothers, Jeffery (Lori) and Bill; his devoted sister, Peggy McNicholes; and “the best in-laws”: father- and mother-in-law, Jim (“the kid”) and Jeannine (“Mamacita”) Hastert. He is also survived by his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Jim (Janice) Hastert, Amy (Otto) Voettiner, Daniel Hastert (Paula Hirdler), Julie (Kevin) Matzek, Michael (Shaloy) Hastert, and Jim (Dawn) Mitchell. Nieces and nephews: Jacob (Sarah), Tyler, Aaron, Mitchell (Ashley) Vetter; Jonathan and Ian McNicholes; Max and Nik Hastert; Otto and Zoë Voettiner, Luke, Joe, and Anna Matzek; Elouisa and Leona Hastert. He was blessed with a beautiful community of extended family that treasured him. He will be deeply missed by many, many close friends. 

 

Waiting to welcome him at heaven’s door, his beloved mom “gramma” Pat Vetter, and a long-awaited reunion with his sister, Jodie Vetter.  

 

Andy loved life and lived it fully. He grew up in Brooklyn Park, graduating from Park Center High School where he played hockey and violin. He went on to Mankato State with a plan to study medicine but found that his passion lay elsewhere. At the age of 16, Andy started a job at Red Rooster Auto Store which he turned into a lifelong career. He made countless friendships and connections in his many years of sales and service in the automotive parts industry. He believed that a salesman’s best qualities are honesty and perseverance. In 2012, Andy went to work for Factory Motor Parts as a Regional Sales Manager. In 2018, he earned the prestigious induction into the Presidents Club for National Sales and was rewarded with a memorable helicopter fly-in and picnic with Jen into the Grand Canyon. His illness ended his career in June of 2022.  

 

He bought his first boat by the age of 17 and at 19 bought the Glastron and named it The Tan Line. He rarely left the house without it. He would trailer it to work or an evening softball game so he could later head to the lake and get in some skiing before the sun set. He loved to waterski and joined the ranks as a barefooter. Andy’s passion for boating was as infectious as his smile and he shared it with many. Andy and Jen raised their girls on the waters of Lake Minnetonka, Gull Lake, Big Butternut Lake, the St Croix and Mississippi Rivers and Lake Superior. They would entertain on their boat, the Jen and Tonic, tie up with old friends, and make new ones along the way. Most of all he loved spending time with Jen, watching the sunset after a long day of boating.      

 

As a young teen, Andy joined DeMolay, an organization for young men based on timeless principles, inspiring leadership, team building and networking. Through his involvement with DeMolay, he developed his closest, most loyal and lifelong friendships. Andy became a Mason and was committed to personal growth, ethical behavior and brotherhood.  

 

Andy married Jenifer (Hastert) Berg in 1993 and became a dad to her three young daughters. Two years later, they welcomed daughter number four and their family was complete. Andy was active in dad life and loved it. He taught his daughters life skills, shared his passions, learned theirs, and helped grow them. He was a Girl Scout cookie dad and coached the girls in softball and basketball for over a decade. Coaching brought him a deep satisfaction as he helped to shape the players with tenacity, team play, sportsmanship, and the importance of fun. 

 

In 2013, Andy and Jen became empty nesters. They began traveling with Jen’s parents, taking multiple trips to Mazatlan and one to Riviera Maya. They toured Mayan pyramids, snorkeled, ziplined over the Mexican jungle, took salsa dance lessons, went horseback riding on the beach, made more great friends, and danced the night away in Mexican cantinas and on the beach. Andy would always be sure to soak up every sunset. 

 

Andy was a man who would drop what he was doing to help friends and family. When someone was weighed down by minor problems, he’d call them 'paperclips' – his one-word code for turning mountains into molehills. He loved working on boats (he considered it playing), boating, biking, jet skiing, snowmobiling, snow skiing, traveling and livin’ the dream with Jen. He was a great home run hitter and had a blast playing softball for the Sunshine Factory. He fit right in with the multitudes of Jen’s family members at the cabin in Luck, WI and loved spending time there. He was a great storyteller, bonfire builder and although he didn’t have one himself, he loved giving nicknames to people. 

 

Andy was larger than life. He had a great sense of humor, and a contagious smile that could light up a room. His infectious laugh, and winning attitude remained with him right up to the end. He left us with a wink and a smile because it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

 

We would like to extend a special thanks to all of his care providers during the advancement of his disease. We could not have made it without you. 

 

Please join us for a Celebration of his Life. It will take place on Wednesday, May 28th from 4:00-8:00 with a memorial service beginning at 7:00, followed by a time to share stories. We will gather at:

Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens

9500 West River Road

Brooklyn Park, MN 55444

Because of his love of Beach Boys music and the influence of his hero, Jimmy Buffett, whose music and lifestyle embraces the simple joys, living in the moment and finding happiness in the journey, we are encouraging guests to wear Hawaiian/Beachy motif clothing and comfortable shoes (HOKA’s if you have a pair)!

 

“Some of it’s magic, some of it’s tragic, but I had a good life all the way.”

                                                     –Jimmy Buffett          

www.cremationsocietyofmn.com