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Betty Marie Ketchum, 78, Iowa City
Obituaries · October 27, 2016



Betty Marie Ketchum, 78, of Iowa City passed away Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City.

Family graveside services were held Friday, Oct. 20, 2016, at the West Branch Cemetery. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can 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.

Betty was employed by the Child Health Specialty Clinics at the University of Iowa from 1957 to 1995, 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 a past-president of Robert Lucas Chapter, National Secretaries Association, and was a member of the A. N. Palmer Chapter of International Association of Administrative Professionals. She was also 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; brother Charles LeRoy in World War II; 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, at 736 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville, Ill., 60048.