Wetterling sells practice, retires after 42 years

by Mike Knaak

editor@thenewsleader.com

After 42 years in St. Joseph, Dr. Jerry Wetterling has sold his practice and is retiring.

He’s handed off the practice to Dr. Brian Koltes, who grew up in Albany and graduated from St. John’s University, where he was a three-sport athlete.

The two doctors are hosting an open house from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at the office, 103 College Ave. N., in St. Joseph.

“I’m planning to chill out for maybe a year and not do any new things,” Wetterling said.

He will continue his volunteer work with Promise Neighborhood, math tutoring and as a board member of the St. Cloud chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Wetterling will see patients with Koltes through Oct. 26

Wetterling said he had always planned to retire when he reached age 70, and he marked that birthday on Oct. 2. He and Koltes closed the sale of the practice three days later.

After graduation from St. John’s, Koltes, 43, continued his education in nursing and massage therapy. He served in the Army National Guard and earned a doctor of chiropractic degree from D’Youville College in Buffalo, N.Y.

While in Buffalo, Koltes provided care to Buffalo Bills football players during the preseason.

The practice has been renamed “Exponential Chiropractic Healing Center” and will operate at the same location with the same staff and telephone number.

“I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to return to an area I am very familiar with and of which I have so many fond memories,” Koltes wrote in a letter to patients. “I am dedicated to producing a high-level quality of care and will maintain the same procedures you are accustomed to receiving from Dr. Wetterling.”

Wetterling started his practice in 1976 and moved to the current location in 1977.

“I will miss my patients and friends and wish you all the best,” Wetterling wrote in a letter to his patients. “It has been my honor to be a part of your paths to better health and in many cases, I have met second and third generation patients.”