Hope Kettelkamp

HOPE AUDREY DENALI KETTELKAMP

Marion

Hope Audrey Denali Kettelkamp, beloved mother, sister, grandmother and aunt, died Feb. 7, 2016, at Keystone Cedars Assisted Living following a brief illness. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral services: 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Echo Hill Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Nathan Williams. Friends may also visit with the family one hour before the service.

Hope was born in Wadena, Minn., on Oct. 27, 1933, to Matt and Hazel (Mattson) Nieminen. She was raised with an older sister, Mary Ann, in Denver, Colo., where her mother, Hazel, died. Her father later married Fern Humrich, who loved the girls with her whole heart. Three half siblings, Nancy, Susan and Matt Jr., followed. Hope graduated from East Denver High School in 1951 and in 1955, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Cornell College with a degree in chemistry and biology.

In December 1954, Hope married her chemistry lab partner, William E. Kettelkamp. Afterward, she worked in the biochemistry lab at the University of Iowa while Bill attended medical school. Hope loved this job and worked in the lab until the birth of her first set of identical twins, Bob and Bill. Sons Pete and Jim, and another set of identical twins, Don and Dick, were born in the years that followed. Hope and Bill later divorced but maintained a fond relationship.

She is survived by her sons, Bob (Cindy), Bill (Beth Ann) and Dick (Nikki), all of Marion, Pete (Linda) of Monona, Jim (Shellie) of Iowa City and Don (Danielle) of Southport, N.C.; sisters, Nancy and Sue of Eugene, Ore.; 20 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Mary Ann; and her brother, Matt Jr.

Hope rejoiced in her loving family who faithfully sustained her during difficult times throughout her life. She was grateful for her many friends at Echo Hill Presbyterian Church and before at Kenwood Park Presbyterian Church. She found much happiness and wonderful new friends at Keystone Cedars where she lived the final years of her life. Hope was compassionate and empathetic always reaching out to those in need of loving support. She was a faithful correspondent and supported many friends and family members with notes of encouragement and kindness.

The family would like to thank the loving staff at Keystone Cedars who cared for her during the past 3 ½ years. They are also so grateful to all those from Unity Point Hospice who participated in her care and comfort during her final days. The love that Hope radiated into the world was reflected back upon her by all who shared in her final days and hours, for which the family is grateful.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Echo Hill Presbyterian Church to establish a scholarship fund for students wishing to attend Cornell College.

Please share a memory of Hope at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.