Betty Jo Ketelsen

Betty Jo Ketelsen, 87, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away peacefully Monday, November 10, 2025, in her loving home.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte. A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 21, 2025, in the church. Burial following at Elmwood Cemetery in DeWitt.

Betty Jo Hathcock was born October 19, 1938, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, to Robert and Nancy (Gillette) Hathcock. After graduating from high school in Gainesville, Missouri, she studied at Druahgon’s School of Business in Springfield, Missouri. She moved to Iowa to help her sister’s young family, and met the love of her life, Ronald Ketelsen. On December 15, 1957, they were wed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte. The couple resided on the Ketelsen family dairy farm in rural Charlotte, farming for many years there. While being a farm wife and mother of 6, she also worked for the County Home, managed the Rebel Café in Charlotte, worked as an E.M.T., and in administrative positions for Skyline, Harbor Crest Nursing Home, Bayard Nursing Home, and ARCH, Inc.

Betty Jo was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt, and Immanuel Lutheran Church, Charlotte. She enjoyed bowling, was a Green Bay Packers fan, loved spending time with her grandchildren, attending their events. She spent many years helping at Grace Camp, where she was known as “Grandma Betty.” She took pride in being a homemaker and loved to entertain.

She is survived by her children, Carmen Ketelsen of Charlotte, Mitzie Blanchard of Charlotte, Travis (JoEllen) Ketelsen of Goose Lake, Tory (Paula) Ketelsen of Bryant; 22 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren: sisters, Norma Jean Brown and Verlene Reid; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Bailey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, daughters, Tammy and Velta, grandsons, Brady, Kye, and Tobi, and granddaughter, Abbey.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Jo Ketelsen, please visit our floral store.