Lula Ketchum

Lula Mary Ketchum, one of six children of Carl William Sanburg and Mary Ellen (Spurling) Sanburg, was born on September 19, 1907 on a farm near Sutton, Nebraska. She attended country grade school and high school in Shickley, Nebraska, where she graduated in 1924. Lula took public speaking in high school which she used throughout her adult life.
On February 18, 1925, she was united in marriage to Marshall Eddy Ketchum from Shickley. They were the parents of two daughters, Donetta Mae and Lela Marie. The family moved to Avoca, Iowa in January of 1941 where they farmed until they purchased a farm near Carson, Iowa in 1944. In 1950, they purchased the Allis-Chalmers business and moved to Carson. Lula and Marshall had been married nearly 35 years when Marshall died on March 28, 1960. Lula continued to live in her Carson home and remained active in the Carson United Methodist Church. She was active in the United Methodist Women, a member of the Pythian Sisters Lodge in Oakland, and the Women's Civic Federated Club in Carson. She loved to play cards and belonged to two bridge clubs.
Lula passed away on October 22, 2008 at the Oakland Manor, attaining the age of 101 years, 1 month and 3 days. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Marshall Ketchum; daughter, Donetta Allen in January of 2008; 3 sisters and 2 brothers.
Lula is survived by her daughter, Lela Cohn and husband Edward of Omaha, NE; son-in-law Jack Allen of Carson; 6 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; and 28 great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

A memorial fund has been established.

Burial in the Carson Cemetery.