Zona Julia Ketcham

Zona Julia Schroeder Ketcham



Zona Julia Schroeder Ketcham, 89, passed away peacefully at Good
Samaritan Center of Olathe, surrounded by her husband and children,
on Saturday, July 25, 2009. She was preceded in death by her sisters
Ruth Clark, Maria Rice, and Edmee Carlisle, and her brothers Walter
and Herbert Schroeder. She is survived by her dear husband of 67
years, William Milo (Bill) Ketcham, and her children Kay Ketcham of
Kansas City, Bill Ketcham of Hochheim, Germany, Paul Ketcham of
Portland, Oregon, and Julia Lynn of Olathe, Kansas; daughters-in-law
Wantana Ketcham and Barbara Ketcham, son-in-law Jeffrey Lynn, and
dearly loved grandchildren Laura and Garrett Ketcham, and Robbie and
Emily Lynn.

Zona was born in Jefferson City, Missouri and spent happy childhood
years on Vista Place. The family later moved to New Haven, Missouri,
where Zona participated in all the high school productions, singing,
dancing and acting. She graduated from Park College in Parkville,
Missouri where she majored in literature and music, and sang in all
the college musical events. Several recordings were made of her
voice, and she gave her senior recital in May, 1941. At Park she met
her beloved husband Bill, and they were married in the Park College
Chapel in 1942.

Zona was a homemaker and also a junior high school and special
education teacher. She loved children, and they had an immediate
rapport with her. She loved her family most of all, and provided a
nurturing and caring home for her husband and children. She was a
great cook and a wonderful entertainer, and her children remember her
always singing around the house. In fact, they thought all mothers
could sing! Zona was also a fabulous dancer, especially tap, and she
and her husband spent many happy retirement years dancing with a
Round Dancing group. They were also excellent Bridge players.

Zona taught her children a love and appreciation for music and the
arts. She was immensely passionate about living each day for the
moment, and every day was cause for celebration and new
experiences. She was a lover of nature and animals, especially birds
and dogs. Her much loved dog Hans, a stray Schnauzer, enriched
everyone's lives, with the possible exception of the mailman.

Zona's heart was big, and filled with life and fun and a loving
spirit. Her shining example of a caring life well lived will be a
constant example and a treasured memory for all who knew her.

A private family service will be held to honor her memory at
the home of Julia and Jeffrey Lynn. Donations in Zona's memory may be given to the Good Samaritan Society of Olathe, 20705 West 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the
loving care Zona received during her years at Cedar Lake and Good
Samaritan Communities.