Obituary of Andrea Ketchum

Andrea Joanna Ketchum, better known as Hank, was born May 24, 1930 in Mundare, AB passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital, Monday, January 16, 2012, at 81 years of age. She was one of seven children born to Walter and Tillie Oginski. Andrea grew up on a farm and went to school in Ranfurly. In her late teens she left home and while working as a waitress in Lloydminster met a young man, Edwin (Ed) Ketchum. They dated briefly and married, November 14, 1949 at the Grace United Church. Her and Edwin enjoyed good times and endured the hardships during their fifty-one years of marriage. The family lived in Lloydminster for all but two years when a business opportunity saw them move to Edmonton. Their first home was built by Edwin on 57 Street at the North end and after returning from the city they lived on 45 Street till 2001. Between 1950 and 1965, Andrea and Edwin were blessed with six daughters: Shirley, Sherlane, Marilyn, Deloris, Marie and Donelda. Both were predeceased by two daughters Shirley and Marie. Their only son Kenneth, born in 1953, passed away at the tender age of six weeks. Andrea was a dedicated wife and working mother who realized a dream come true when opening the E & H Coffee Bar. Here she showcased her cooking skills, all menu items were homemade and her baking was a drawing card for many travelers. She sold cosmetics, waitressed in local restaurants, worked at the Dairy Den in the mall and when Edwin operated Ketchum's Oilfield Servicing Ltd. she managed all the secretarial tasks. Life was busy raising their daughters and before you knew it, Andrea and Edwin were welcoming six sons-in-law to the family circle. Their family continued to grow to include fifteen grandchildren and expanded wider with the birth of sixteen great grandchildren. Andrea and Edwin loved to travel in their motor homes and took three winter visits to Arizona. Summers were reserved for boating, fishing and visiting with family and friends at Loon Lake, camped at Stabler Point. Andrea would strap an ice cream pail around her waist and spend hours picking berries because even at the lake she cooked and baked up a storm. Known as the "Tab and Ticket" lady, Andrea was the driving force behind the "Can Tabs Help" program which continues to help local families and their children affected by juvenile diabetes. She never missed a chance to take a "tab" off a pop can and we intend to keep this legacy growing "ONE TAB" at a time. She shared her time and talents selling tickets for various charities. Her handmade crafts or baking was always welcomed at the Strawberry Tea and Bake sales. She donated items for raffles or door prizes and recently crocheted squares for the UCW parcels being sent overseas. In 2001, Edwin passed away just months before the couple was to move into the new Madison condos. Andrea moved there in 2002 and decorated the beautiful suite with cherished family photos, her special collection of dolls, with homemade outfits and on display were her many crocheted Afghans. She was known as the resident prankster, coming up with costumes to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and statutory holidays. Here she met and shared a special relationship with Alvin Lider and for a short time the two lived at the Hearthstone. In 2008, Andrea moved to Pioneer Lodge and was known for cooking meals or making popcorn cakes or balls, cookies or butter tarts in the resident's kitchen. Andrea excelled playing her favorite card game of canasta. More recently she enjoyed crib, whist and bingo. She overcame her difficulties with cancer and showed a strong will to live and carry on. For a number of years she walked the "survivor lap" and took part in Relay for Life events. Mom, Baba Hank, Grandma and Mother-in-law Andrea -- You Will Be Missed, But Will Remain … "Forever in Our Hearts!" Survived by: Sherlane (Gary) Phillips, Lloydminster; Marilyn (Ian) Parsons, McLaughlin; Deloris Bennett-Ketchum (Earl), Vimy, AB; son-in-law Brian Fitzsimonds and Donelda (Ian) McCoy, both of Lloydminster Grandchildren: Rhonda (Sheldon), Edwin (Anne), Adele (David), Logan, Tanner, Greg (Tricia), Preston, Lyndsie (Andy), McKenzie, Kellie, Bekki (Ryan), Geordie (Becky), Bradley (Tanya), Alix, Richard Great grandchildren: Morgen, Kyle, Niya, Broc, Sydney, Lesley, Corben, Claire, Isaac, Ryder, Haileigh, Devon, Carly, Carson, Reid, Jocelynn, Jack, and one expected in June 2012 Also survived by: Sister and Brother-in-law Suzanne (Victor) Beeds, Sherwood Park Sister-in-law Josephine Oginski, Edmonton Brother John Warawa; Sister-in-law Ann Warawa; and Niece, Phyllis Koluk, Vegreville Brother and Sister-in-law George (Esther) Ketchum, Edmonton; Sisters-in-law; Lillian Vincent, High River; Viola Siegel, Lanigan; Brenda Ketchum, Leduc and Trudy Ketchum, Lloydminster as well as nieces, nephews, extended families and friends Predeceased by: Husband, Edwin, 2001; Infant son Kenneth, 1953; Daughters: Shirley Parsons, 1974; Marie Fitzsimonds, 1994; and Grandson, Kenneth McCoy, 1999; Sons-in-law: John Johnson, 1980; Brian Parsons, 1985; and special friend Alvin Lider, 2007 Also predeceased by: Oginski family: Parents, Walter and Tillie; Brother and Sister-in-law, Edward and Elizabeth; Brother, Orest and Warawa family: Brother, Peter; Sister, Eva; Sister-in-law, Florence and Nick Dymtrash and Ketchum family: Father and Mother-in-law, Luton and Marjorie; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Harry and Esther; Ron and Audrey and Brothers-in-law: Frances, Marvin and Norman Vincent Sherlane says "Thank you, Mom for giving me roots, but also allowing me to fly". I will remain as strong in my convictions and as committed to my husband and family as you were. What Adele recently wrote to me in a card, I say the same to you "Thank you for strength and wisdom in tough times ... your courage helps me through, I love you!" Mom you will be missed, but know that the projects you started will continue and as much as possible I will keep in contact with family and friends. Love as ever and always, Sherlane, Gary, Logan, Tanner, Adele, David, Corben, Claire and Isaac. Ian and Marilyn remember the many years Mom and Dad helped at the farm with seeding and harvest, camping at Loon Lake, Big Valley Jamborees in Camrose, and the road-trips to Phoenix and Disneyland. Marilyn wanted to recognize Mom's first airplane flight to Vancouver, at the age of 80 years ... followed by a second trip to visit her granddaughter, Rhonda and Sheldon's family in Missouri City, Texas. "If we'd known sooner that you were able to fly … we can only imagine where we would have taken you!!" Marilyn's cherished memory will be holding Mom's hand as she made her final journey to be with the Lord. Mom is now in a peaceful place and welcomed with open arms by members of the family gone before. We love you Mom! … We're proud of your strength and determination. You will always be in our hearts - till we meet again ... Marilyn, Ian, Preston and Lyndsie. Deloris shares her thoughts: Mom kept busy tending her huge vegetable garden, flower beds and berry picking, followed each fall with canning, freezing and pickling. I especially loved the crushed beets, but never did acquire a taste for borscht. Family remembers all the girls in attendance at Sunday school or special family gatherings wearing matching dresses with our hair in curls. Mom was a wonderful seamstress and sometimes without using a pattern would make each of us an outfit from the same material altering only according to our size and age. My head still hurts from the stiff hair rollers and thousands of bobby pins I had to sleep in. Mom started a "Hope Chest", for each of us with things we would need to set up our first apartment. This tradition I have continued with my daughter McKenzie. Last but not least the trips in the family car with the girls and Mom singing our favorite tunes. I'll remember Mom as a strong willed, sociable, and giving individual and it is my hope that she is now in a very peaceful place. Deloris, Earl, McKenzie. Donelda remembers: Mom constantly cooking or baking, the freezers and cupboards overstocked with more food than her and Dad could ever eat. I would stop by for a coffee and leave with a shopping bag full of my kid's favorite foods. She was always giving us her baking or extra groceries she did not have room to store even when living at the Pioneer. As a teenager I was embarrassed when Mom sewed embroidery floss on every one of our socks and each girl had her own color of floss. With six girls at home I know she did this to keep things organized in the laundry, but it did not change the fact that kids at school would tease me. All memories of Mom will be kept in a special place in my heart. "I will miss you Mom - Rest in Peace. I know you will be watching over us." Donelda, Ian, Bradley, Alix, Richard Grandchildren celebrate their Grandma and Baba Hank: Edwin Haney (Ketchum) 1967: "Neck brace" … I know its odd but that's what comes to mind. Grandma loved jokes, dirty ones too! and she always gave me the strongest and warmest hugs ever! Rhonda Cote (Parsons) 1971: I remember Grandma's kind loving heart and her devotion to her family. She was there for me on my toughest days when my parents passed away and there to kick me in the behind when I needed it as a teenager! Adele Johnson/Hickson 1980: I'll try to get things rolling, no pun intended but this is a baking story. One time while helping Grandma make bread and cinnamon buns, "surprise, surprise". She punched down the dough in a giant silver pan and left it to rise by the heat register. We later discovered dough lying in "big gooey blobs" on the floor. Grandma spoke a few choice words and then gathered what was still in the bowl... and whatever she could save to bake up in the usual manner - you know what? - it tasted just great" The fact that you could not sit in the living room after the room was cleaned and somehow she knew you'd been in there. I remember Grandpa watching TV standing in the kitchen looking through the opening because the rugs had just been vacuumed. Kellie Krchov (Fitzsimonds) 1982: When I was little my Mom (Marie) would take me to have coffee with Grandpa, Grandma, all my Aunts and Uncles and their kids. I would sit next to Grandma and she'd play X&O's with me. Grandma babysat my daughter Haileigh when she was only four weeks old and after work when I'd pick her up, Grandma would say, "Haileigh helped me cook today"... she'd place a big pillow on the counter, and with the baby close by she'd work away at her daily tasks. There were times I'd stay in their big motor home at the lake with my cousins Rhonda and Adele. We had a good time fishing and picking berries. Love and miss you lots Grandma! Preston Parsons 1985: Recalls all the dolls and the figurines in the living room... It wasn't so much "you break it, you bought it" as "you break it and there will be no Christmas baking or perogies for life!" Berry picking at the lake... she'd suit up, come back hours later with enough berries that you had to wonder how many birds and other small animals lost a territorial battle for food supplies to her and subsequently went hungry. Grandma making me wash and dry the bathroom and kitchen sinks after every single use, a discipline I often maintain today or she'd say, "I can't do it in the kitchen because God's drying the dishes in the sink". What about the time she'd stop the car, make me run across multiple lanes of traffic in all types of weather to grab a pop bottle or can … you'd save the "tab", and recycle the rest. Bekki Fossen (Fitzsimonds) 1985: Canasta … how many times have we played at holidays, or just for a fun night? Grandma would usually kick our butts, she knew the rules and made us abide by them; remember "no table talk". Canasta will always be my favorite card game, too bad I can't play it by myself. Grandma and Grandpa coming to watch me play volleyball even when they had no idea of the rules... they came just to watch and cheer me on. Bradley McCoy 1985: All the times Grandma and Grandpa would come watch Kenny and I play baseball in the spring and summer … they'd never miss a game. He also remembers all the times at the lake camping. Lyndsie Parsons 1986: Grandma working at the farm with her rubber boots on. Coaxing Preston and I into the tight spots where she couldn't reach to collect berries. Grandma would be covered with numerous scratches on her arms and legs... but she was so happy to have brought home so many berries!! One summer she made over 130 pies and bought storage space in Annie's freezer at Loon Lake to store them." Grandpa and Preston would drive the motor home up to the lake and Grandma and I would follow in the "old Mickey Mouse" car. We'd have Hal Ketchum tunes playing loud and it would take us longer to get to the lake because we had to stop and pick up bottles and cans. Geordie Fitzsimonds 1989: Recalls playing canasta at any family gathering and Grandma always having lots of perogies and Ukrainian food for us to eat. Logan Phillips 1990: My fondest memory was Grandma's unconditional love, always reminding us that we could be the best at anything. Overlooking the bad and seeing the good in all of us, no matter what we did. When we were successful at something Grandma was there rooting for us. She loved talking us up to her friends and neighbors …. Oh yeah some good conversations heard when she was chatting with neighbors. Tanner Phillips 1991: All the coffees in the mall at A&W. Grandma LOVED seasoned onion rings. We'd sit there, scratch lottery tickets and chat with her friends. One day I told her I needed to learn to cook so she took me into Safeway, bought all these "healthy" foods and then bought herself 2-24 packs of water … Oh ya!! … Those butterscotch marshmallow thingies. Alix McCoy 1994: Grandma always giving me scratch tickets when I was really little and the one time I didn't win she switched the tickets when I wasn't looking. One time I ate all her werthers candies and she wasn't mad but laughed when she told me, "You're going to get a tummy ache later"… she was right! Grandma was so proud of anything I did, no matter what sport I was in or what happened in school she would always be there rooting for me!" Richard McCoy 1995: Grandma buying a new couch and keeping the plastic wrapping around it … and her putting saran wrap around many of her prized possessions so they would not get dusty… there was the display of Easter candies that no one was able to eat... McKenzie Bennett-Ketchum 1998: I remember when Grandma came to visit at our new home … and she taught me how to play her favorite game of canasta. Sherlane, Marilyn, Deloris, Donelda and our families wish to say Thank You to: Family and friends in attendance at the "Celebration of Life Service" -- for donations to local charities, food, flowers, calls, visits and expressions of sympathy Reverend Bob Aldrich for a very meaningful service and for the "Dragonfly story" you shared with the children Dean Wenzel and staff at McCaw's for your professionalism in caring out Mom's wishes Dr. DuPlooy, Dr. Lowton and Dr. Wessels, to the nurses, home care and hospital staff for care and compassion, for listening and sharing a laugh, allowing us our tears and counseling us Reverend Tom Sawyer, committee members, office staff and UCW friends at Grace United Church for visits, prayers and for catering the lunch Joan and Clinton at the Trophy Gallery for your design ideas, craftsmanship and attention to details on the urn Special thanks to Marilyn for being our family's foundation Ian and Gary for reading and sharing the daughter's reflections and memories at the service Bekki, Logan, Preston for your help with the power-point, Adele for help with the eulogy Grandchildren for your memories and for celebrating Baba Hank by baking and playing canasta on the eve of the "Celebration of Life" service Donations in memory of Andrea may be made to the Grace United Church, Can Tabs Help or to a local charity of choice.