Ruth Ketcham

Ruth L. Ketcham, the daughter of Charles H. and Olive (Millay) Anderson, was born August 5, 1912 in Hutchinson, KS. Her childhood years were spent in Hutchinson and Los Angeles, graduating from high school in Whittier, CA. Ruth was fondly known by family and friends as "Beep". Ruth married Maurice Ketcham on November 9, 1929 at her parents' home in Pico, CA. To this union four children were born: Denis, Erin, Michaela, and David Patrick. The family lived in Pico until moving to the Ketcham Family farm near Spencer, IA in 1943. Maurice and Ruth sold the farm and moved to Spencer in 1959, due to Maurice's declining health. Ruth was a homemaker, sales clerk at Spurgeons, and later a secretary and optician for Dr. R.H. Fair and Dr. Harry Rasdal. She enjoyed writing, reading, square dancing, crafting, refinishing furniture, and most of all being a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a 4-H leader, member of Farm Bureau, Energetic Sioux Club, PTA, Violet Club, Book Club, Federated Women's Club and B.P.W. She was named B.P.W. 1975 Woman of the Year. Ruth passed away at Longhouse Residence in Spencer, Iowa on Monday, July 5, 2010 at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Maurice on August 10, 1970; one son, David Patrick (Pat) Ketcham in 1976, one sister, Jessie Anderson and two brothers: George and Ralph Anderson. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Denis Ketcham and his wife, Rosalee of Omaha, NE; two daughters: Erin Willard and her husband, Dave of Jacksonville, FL and Michaela Cullen and her husband, Jim of Spencer, IA; 8 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson; other relatives and friends.

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CASKET BEARERS

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