Lena "Mae" Ketter, 99, of Holton, KS, formerly of Wetmore and Meriden, KS passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at a care home in Topeka. She was born August 7, 1913 on a farm near Bancroft, KS the daughter of William E. and Clara (Frederikson) Geren.

Mae attended Bancroft Schools until she transferred to Wetmore her junior year of high school so she could enroll in Normal Training classes. After graduating from Wetmore High School in 1932 she began her career in a one-room school teaching at both District #91 Pleasant Hill and District #72 Social Hill. After six years in the classroom, she fulfilled her dream of attending college full-time and received her Life Certificate from Emporia State Teachers College. She then taught two years in Spearville Grade School. After her marriage she taught in various schools in Nemaha, Jackson, and Jefferson counties including starting the very first Kindergarten classes in both Wetmore and Netawaka. A lifetime learner, she was a member of the Wetmore Study Club, and helped start the Wetmore Library.

Mae married Anthony P. Ketter on June 2, 1941 at St. James Church in Wetmore, KS. Together they raised their seven children on farms outside of Goff and then Wetmore before retiring to a home on Lake Perry, Meriden, KS where they enjoyed hosting the extended family. He preceded her in death on October 10, 1996. She was also preceded in death by a son, Robert Ketter in 1970; brothers, Chris and Bill Geren; sisters, Willette Church and Wilma Geren and son-in-law, Dean Wilson.

Mae was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. She had been very active in the Altar Societies of both St James and St. Aloysius parishes having served many years as an officer.

Survivors include her children, Klarilee Meseke (Ben) of Olathe, KS, Christeen McKellips (Roger) of Grand Lake, OK, Daniel Ketter (Sharon) of Holton, KS, LaDena Belisle (Chet) of Topeka, KS, Dorothy Hedman (Dave) of Topeka, KS and Paulette Wilson of Manhattan, KS; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at St. James Catholic Church in Wetmore. Interment will be in the Wetmore Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday evening with a rosary being prayed at 7:00 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to the Mae Ketter Memorial Fund (to be designated at a later date) c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.