Bettymae Ketelsen

BETTYMAE CORWIN KETELSEN

Marion

Bettymae Corwin Ketelsen, 86, left this life Nov. 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 effect on everyone she touched.

Bettymae's life had many rich chapters infused with joy, love and laughter. She was born Feb. 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 PEO, OOP, 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 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, at the Marion Christian Church, 1050 McGowan Blvd., Marion, Iowa. Her ashes will be interred in a private ceremony beside her beloved husband Don at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.