KETCH, Bill (1925-2020)

KETCH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/4/2020 at 15:00:10

Bill Ketch
(1925 - February 26, 2020)

A Memorial Mass will be held for Bill Ketch at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Indianola, IA on Tuesday March 3rd at 10 a.m. Visitation will proceed the mass from 9 to 10 a.m. Burial will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter at 12:30 p.m. Bill passed away at his home on February 26th at the age of 85.
Bill is survived by his beloved bride of 60 years, Donna; their 3 children, Kelley (Sherm) Fields, Shannon (Beverly) Ketch, and Molley (Jeff) Freel; grandchildren, Josh (Maggie) Fields, Jamie (Mike) Horner, Emory Ketch, and Alta Finn; and 3 great-grandchildren, Savannah Marie, Johnathan Owen, and Hattie May. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Marie Ketch and a brother, Bob Ketch.
Bill patriotically enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served in Korea. Bill was a life-long learner earning his Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State Teachers College and his Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa. He was an avid reader and participated in numerous professional seminars, conferences, and educational programs throughout his life.
Bill leaves a robust professional legacy of helping others and our communities through an expansive career in social work and support of just causes.
In his career, he served as District Administrator of Human Services for the State of Iowa and was President of the Board of Directors of the Des Moines Riverfront YMCA. In addition, Bill was on the American Red Cross Board of Directors and was actively serving on the Orchard Place Board of Directors until the time of his death. Orchard Place is a nonprofit organization in Des Moines that provides outpatient, inpatient, and community-based mental health services for children.
Bill’s legendary “Loudmouth Invitational” annual golf tournaments benefitted YMCA youth services.
Bill was a living example of Christian faith. He was a strong believer in God, the Catholic Church, its teachings, and was dedicated to love and serve others.
A lifelong athlete, he was a member of the YMCA’s “Hinder Handball Club”, Heritage Member of the Indianola Country Club, and completed the 1989 Drake Relays Marathon.
Bill Ketch is a glorious example of a life very well lived. Memorials may be made in Bill’s name to Orchard Place in Des Moines.
This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/