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Betty Ketchum
BETTY MARIE KETCHUM
Iowa City
Betty Marie Ketchum, 78, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City.
Family graveside services were held Friday, Oct. 21, at West Branch Cemetery. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Branch Community School Foundation for the Ketchum Family Scholarship Fund.
Betty was born in West Branch on Jan. 14, 1938, to Charles Ethan and Henrietta Jansen Ketchum. She graduated from West Branch High School in 1955 and received her certified professional secretary rating from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
From 1957 to 1995, Betty was employed by Child Health Specialty Clinics at the University of Iowa, where she was acting administrative director at the time of her retirement.
During her employment, she was elected to serve on the University Staff Council.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City and United Methodist Women. Betty was past-president of Robert Lucas Chapter, National Secretaries Association, and a member of A.N. Palmer Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals. She also was a Gold Star member of the Iowa City American Legion Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Pilot Club of Iowa City and served in several offices, including president. She served as chair of the advisory board of The Nest of Johnson County.
Survivors include two brothers, Kenneth and wife Rilda of Hot Springs, S.D., and Lansing, Kan., and Jerry and partner Dorothy Jilek of Miami, Fla.; sister-in-law, Elaine (Bob) Ketchum of Aurora, Colo.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters (LaVonne Alvina Dean, Charline Ernestine Ketchum and Marietta Marjorie Brecht); a brother in World War II (Charles LeRoy); a brother, Robert Allen; two nephews (Douglas and Brian Brecht); and great-nephew (Jeffrey Balogh).
Condolences may be sent in care of her niece, Julie Dean Garren, 736 Valley Park Dr., Libertyville, IL 60048.
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