Bettymae C. Ketelsen
February 25, 1929 — November 4, 2015
Bettymae Corwin Ketelsen (86) left this life November 4, 2015, comforted by family in the home of daughter Jana Carson in Marion. She left her world a better place. Those who knew and loved her recall her warm presence, generous spirit and infectious sense of humor. She was a teacher, a mentor and a giving friend to so many it’s impossible to calculate their numbers or to fully assess her positive affect on everyone she touched.
Bettymae’s life had many rich chapters infused with joy, love and laughter. She was born February 25, 1929 on Irish Hill in Marion, Iowa to James Avert and Blanche Remington Corwin. She had one brother, Jim Corwin. She grew up in Anamosa, attended the University of Iowa and was a proud member of the Scottish Highlanders.
In 1950 she married the love of her life Donald E. Ketelsen at the Methodist Church in Anamosa. Their children are Kim (Susan) Ketelsen of Marion and Jana (Ray) Carson of Marion. Their granddaughters are Moria Carson of Marion and Keeley Carson of Milwaukee. Don died in 1976. In 1993 Bettymae married J. Eldon Airy who died in 2005.
In 1957 she and Don returned to Marion. For 45 years Bettymae owned, operated and nurtured Jack & Jill Pre-School, always learning and adapting to give students the best possible early childhood preparation for their lives.
Bettymae loved and embraced her life to the fullest, and she was blessed with a loving family. Several dear ones have preceded her in death, including her husbands, parents, brother and stepfather Henry Adams. Most are still with us today, all loved and enjoyed in special measure by Bettymae.
She was an active member of P.E.O., O.O.P., various card groups and much more. She loved bridge, dominoes, mahjong, scaremoose and any sociable game. She served on the Marion Library Foundation, was a Fellow of the State University system, created a photo history of Marion for the Library, did other community service and gave terrific presentations on a range of subjects.
In lieu of flowers, Bettymae hoped that donations would be made to either the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org).
Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Marion Christian Church, 1050 McGowan Boulevard, Marion, Iowa. Her ashes will be interred in a private ceremony beside her beloved husband Don at Cedar Memorial Cemetery.
Bettymae’s life had many rich chapters infused with joy, love and laughter. She was born February 25, 1929 on Irish Hill in Marion, Iowa to James Avert and Blanche Remington Corwin. She had one brother, Jim Corwin. She grew up in Anamosa, attended the University of Iowa and was a proud member of the Scottish Highlanders.
In 1950 she married the love of her life Donald E. Ketelsen at the Methodist Church in Anamosa. Their children are Kim (Susan) Ketelsen of Marion and Jana (Ray) Carson of Marion. Their granddaughters are Moria Carson of Marion and Keeley Carson of Milwaukee. Don died in 1976. In 1993 Bettymae married J. Eldon Airy who died in 2005.
In 1957 she and Don returned to Marion. For 45 years Bettymae owned, operated and nurtured Jack & Jill Pre-School, always learning and adapting to give students the best possible early childhood preparation for their lives.
Bettymae loved and embraced her life to the fullest, and she was blessed with a loving family. Several dear ones have preceded her in death, including her husbands, parents, brother and stepfather Henry Adams. Most are still with us today, all loved and enjoyed in special measure by Bettymae.
She was an active member of P.E.O., O.O.P., various card groups and much more. She loved bridge, dominoes, mahjong, scaremoose and any sociable game. She served on the Marion Library Foundation, was a Fellow of the State University system, created a photo history of Marion for the Library, did other community service and gave terrific presentations on a range of subjects.
In lieu of flowers, Bettymae hoped that donations would be made to either the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org).
Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Marion Christian Church, 1050 McGowan Boulevard, Marion, Iowa. Her ashes will be interred in a private ceremony beside her beloved husband Don at Cedar Memorial Cemetery.
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