Betty Ketcham passed away peacefully in Bend, OR on February 4, 2015. Betty was born June 8, 1921, in Buckley, WA, to George and Mary Wytko, who emigrated to the U.S. from what now is the Czech Republic. She was the seventh of nine children and grew up on their family farm.
After graduating from Buckley High School in 1939, Betty enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943 her patriotism and courage inspired her to in enlist in the US Army. In 1944, as a WAC she was assigned to duty in Calcutta, India. She was promoted to Sergeant. During this time, she briefly met a fellow UW Husky, Sgt. Robert C. (Bob) Ketcham. She later was transferred to a base in SW China, where she served until the surrender of Japan.
In 1945 Betty received an Honorable Discharge, returned to Seattle and resumed her studies at the U of W. On the first day of registration Betty recognized Bob waiting in line and hoped he would notice her. Bob did and asked her out. All went well and Betty and Bob were married in June of 1947. They both graduated from the U of W, Betty earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1951. While living in Seattle, Betty gave birth to her son Stuart and daughter Elizabeth Ann (Libby). Betty was a devoted mother, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1961, the Ketcham family moved to Edmonds, WA. In 1965, Betty earned a Master of Arts in Education and embarked on a career as a teacher. She served as a substitute teacher in the Edmonds School District, taught 6th grade and then found her niche as a reading teacher at Madrona Jr. High. She made sure that every student who passed through her class discovered the joys of reading.
Betty and Bob always shared a close partnership, as they built a life that revolved around family and friends, near and far. Bob passed away in 1986, several years later, Betty moved to Bend, OR to be closer to Libby and her husband Brian. During her seven years in Bend she eagerly watched for snowfall during the high desert winters. Betty was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to classical music/opera and loved playing bridge.
All who knew Betty loved her optimism and pluck, can-do spirit, sense of humor, and devotion to family and friends. She is survived by her sister Barbara McCollum and brother David Wytko of Buckley, son Stuart Ketcham of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, daughter Libby Baker and son-in-law Brian Baker of Sunriver, OR.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2 pm at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE in Seattle, WA. Donations may be made to: Page Ahead, Children's Literacy Program, 1130 NW 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98117, www.pageahead.org
Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 22, 2015
After graduating from Buckley High School in 1939, Betty enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943 her patriotism and courage inspired her to in enlist in the US Army. In 1944, as a WAC she was assigned to duty in Calcutta, India. She was promoted to Sergeant. During this time, she briefly met a fellow UW Husky, Sgt. Robert C. (Bob) Ketcham. She later was transferred to a base in SW China, where she served until the surrender of Japan.
In 1945 Betty received an Honorable Discharge, returned to Seattle and resumed her studies at the U of W. On the first day of registration Betty recognized Bob waiting in line and hoped he would notice her. Bob did and asked her out. All went well and Betty and Bob were married in June of 1947. They both graduated from the U of W, Betty earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1951. While living in Seattle, Betty gave birth to her son Stuart and daughter Elizabeth Ann (Libby). Betty was a devoted mother, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1961, the Ketcham family moved to Edmonds, WA. In 1965, Betty earned a Master of Arts in Education and embarked on a career as a teacher. She served as a substitute teacher in the Edmonds School District, taught 6th grade and then found her niche as a reading teacher at Madrona Jr. High. She made sure that every student who passed through her class discovered the joys of reading.
Betty and Bob always shared a close partnership, as they built a life that revolved around family and friends, near and far. Bob passed away in 1986, several years later, Betty moved to Bend, OR to be closer to Libby and her husband Brian. During her seven years in Bend she eagerly watched for snowfall during the high desert winters. Betty was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to classical music/opera and loved playing bridge.
All who knew Betty loved her optimism and pluck, can-do spirit, sense of humor, and devotion to family and friends. She is survived by her sister Barbara McCollum and brother David Wytko of Buckley, son Stuart Ketcham of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, daughter Libby Baker and son-in-law Brian Baker of Sunriver, OR.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2 pm at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE in Seattle, WA. Donations may be made to: Page Ahead, Children's Literacy Program, 1130 NW 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98117, www.pageahead.org
Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 22, 2015
Betty Ketcham passed away peacefully in Bend, OR on February 4, 2015. Betty was born June 8, 1921, in Buckley, WA, to George and Mary Wytko, who emigrated to the U.S. from what now is the Czech Republic. She was the seventh of nine children and grew up on their family farm.
After graduating from Buckley High School in 1939, Betty enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943 her patriotism and courage inspired her to in enlist in the US Army. In 1944, as a WAC she was assigned to duty in Calcutta, India. She was promoted to Sergeant. During this time, she briefly met a fellow UW Husky, Sgt. Robert C. (Bob) Ketcham. She later was transferred to a base in SW China, where she served until the surrender of Japan.
In 1945 Betty received an Honorable Discharge, returned to Seattle and resumed her studies at the U of W. On the first day of registration Betty recognized Bob waiting in line and hoped he would notice her. Bob did and asked her out. All went well and Betty and Bob were married in June of 1947. They both graduated from the U of W, Betty earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1951. While living in Seattle, Betty gave birth to her son Stuart and daughter Elizabeth Ann (Libby). Betty was a devoted mother, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1961, the Ketcham family moved to Edmonds, WA. In 1965, Betty earned a Master of Arts in Education and embarked on a career as a teacher. She served as a substitute teacher in the Edmonds School District, taught 6th grade and then found her niche as a reading teacher at Madrona Jr. High. She made sure that every student who passed through her class discovered the joys of reading.
Betty and Bob always shared a close partnership, as they built a life that revolved around family and friends, near and far. Bob passed away in 1986, several years later, Betty moved to Bend, OR to be closer to Libby and her husband Brian. During her seven years in Bend she eagerly watched for snowfall during the high desert winters. Betty was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to classical music/opera and loved playing bridge.
All who knew Betty loved her optimism and pluck, can-do spirit, sense of humor, and devotion to family and friends. She is survived by her sister Barbara McCollum and brother David Wytko of Buckley, son Stuart Ketcham of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, daughter Libby Baker and son-in-law Brian Baker of Sunriver, OR.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2 pm at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE in Seattle, WA. Donations may be made to: Page Ahead, Children's Literacy Program, 1130 NW 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98117, www.pageahead.org
Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 22, 2015
After graduating from Buckley High School in 1939, Betty enrolled at the University of Washington. In 1943 her patriotism and courage inspired her to in enlist in the US Army. In 1944, as a WAC she was assigned to duty in Calcutta, India. She was promoted to Sergeant. During this time, she briefly met a fellow UW Husky, Sgt. Robert C. (Bob) Ketcham. She later was transferred to a base in SW China, where she served until the surrender of Japan.
In 1945 Betty received an Honorable Discharge, returned to Seattle and resumed her studies at the U of W. On the first day of registration Betty recognized Bob waiting in line and hoped he would notice her. Bob did and asked her out. All went well and Betty and Bob were married in June of 1947. They both graduated from the U of W, Betty earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1951. While living in Seattle, Betty gave birth to her son Stuart and daughter Elizabeth Ann (Libby). Betty was a devoted mother, a role she thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1961, the Ketcham family moved to Edmonds, WA. In 1965, Betty earned a Master of Arts in Education and embarked on a career as a teacher. She served as a substitute teacher in the Edmonds School District, taught 6th grade and then found her niche as a reading teacher at Madrona Jr. High. She made sure that every student who passed through her class discovered the joys of reading.
Betty and Bob always shared a close partnership, as they built a life that revolved around family and friends, near and far. Bob passed away in 1986, several years later, Betty moved to Bend, OR to be closer to Libby and her husband Brian. During her seven years in Bend she eagerly watched for snowfall during the high desert winters. Betty was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to classical music/opera and loved playing bridge.
All who knew Betty loved her optimism and pluck, can-do spirit, sense of humor, and devotion to family and friends. She is survived by her sister Barbara McCollum and brother David Wytko of Buckley, son Stuart Ketcham of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, daughter Libby Baker and son-in-law Brian Baker of Sunriver, OR.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 2 pm at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE in Seattle, WA. Donations may be made to: Page Ahead, Children's Literacy Program, 1130 NW 85th Street, Seattle, WA 98117, www.pageahead.org
Published in The Seattle Times on Feb. 22, 2015
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