Ketchum, Rozella O'Dell

Rozella O'Dell Ketchum, 92½, “almost 100,” passed away Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Per her wishes, she has been cremated and no service has been planned at this time, but interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Rose “Rosie” was a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rose was born Jan. 9, 1919, to Charles and Blanche Hayes in Ferryville, Wis.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles and Donald Hayes; sisters, Ione Newell, June Marple and JoAnne Loveless; husbands, Richard McLaughlin, Bernard Lynch, Clifford Canavan and Gary Ketchum; daughter, Beverly Christner; granddaughter, Sheryl Bladek; and grandson, Dean Strain.

Rosie loved dogs and had many hobbies, but her favorite, and the one she excelled at most, was making and outfitting reproduction antique ceramic porcelain dolls as a licensed porcelain doll maker.

Survivors include daughter, Patricia (Dick) Meuler; stepsons, Jerry (Barb) and Gary (Vickie) Ketchum; grandchildren, R. Dane (Sylvia) Meuler, Wendy (Rick) Kemmann, Charles (Teresa) Strain, Terry (Dave) Wolf, Bruce Strain and Gary Christner; sister-in-law, Ruth Hayes; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials should be directed to the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids.

Published Oct. 9, 2011, in The Gazette