Wallie passed away April 6, 2007, following a month-long struggle to gain her strength following heart surgery.
She was born May 25, 1928, in Heidelberg, Germany to Philpp and Barbara Neuner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil M. Ketchum; and both of her parents. She was also preceded in death by her long time companion, John Kapfer.
Wallie grew up in Karlsrhue, Germany, and met her husband there while he was serving in the military following WW II. They returned to the USA in September 1949, moving several times while her husband continued with his military career. She worked for a short time as a seamstress in the fashion industry while they were stationed in California.
After her husbands death in 1963, she concentrated on raising her four children. She met John in 1967 and enjoyed many years with him as they filled their weekends fishing the Puget Sound for the biggest salmon they could catch.
After Johns death she enjoyed traveling with her friends and family and was able to enjoy several cruises over the past 10 years. She also enjoyed taking day trips and attending the Mariners spring training in Arizona. She was a member of the Widows Information Center and was actively involved with AARP, including working at the Elder Fair and helping with the Nubian Festival in Everett.
She also enjoyed the local Senior-Community Center in Marysville, Wash., and was a member of the needlers who met there weekly. She also was very involved in volunteer work, at the Community Center as well as Madeleine Villa Care Center.
Wallie is survived by her half-sister, Monika Buchholz, of Heidelberg, Germany; and her half-brother, Klaus Laubenstein, of Karlsrhue, Germany; four children, Jim Ketchum, of Phoenix, Ariz., Carol Nixon (Tom), of Marysville, Dan Ketchum, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Cal Ketchum (Tracy), of Kellogg, Idaho; grandchildren, Jim Breedlove (Amy), Keri Boswell (Scott), Jennifer Nixon, Stephanie, Ty and Seth Ketchum; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Cole, Drew and Jacob Breedlove, Zachary and Tanner Boswell.
Memorial Services were held at 1 p.m., Thursday, April 12, 2007, at Schaefer Shipman Funeral Home in Marysville.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the local Cancer Society.