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Shirley Ketelsen left us peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, at the Shafter Nursing Rehab, which had been her home for three years. Family members were with her at the end. She was 89 years old.

Shirley was born Shirley Marie Schlaich, in Visalia, California on August 26, 1932. Her parents were Senes and Beatrice Schlaich and she was the oldest of seven children. Shirley met her husband, Bill Ketelsen, while he was teaching in Lindsey, California and she was teaching in Visalia, California. They were married on August 20, 1955. Their new life brought Shirley and Bill to Fairfield, California where daughters Kristine and Karen were born. They lived for a short time in Lake Tahoe, California and then settled in Hanford, California where their son Eric was born.

Family life was busy for Shirley, as she worked at Sacred Heart Hospital, also as an aide at the local school and juggled the children's activities. The Ketelsen family liked nothing better than to pack up a picnic and drive to the Sequoias or Kings Canyon to get out of the heat of the Central Valley of California's summer months.

Bill passed away in February of 1993 and that began another new chapter of her life. Shirley continued to work at the hospital, was active in the Catholic Daughters and as a liturgy reader at church. Shirley had a wonderful group of friends and family to keep her busy.

For the last 14 years of Shirley's life, she had marched down the path of Alzheimer's. She came to live with her oldest daughter, Kristine, in Tehachapi, California. Her time was busier even at this stage of her life. She had her own activity group with Central Valley Caregivers Resource. She attended her grandchildren's swim meets, plays, soccer games, band concerts and even robotic competitions. She attended Mass every Sunday.

Shirley spent her final three years at the Shafter Nursing Rehab. This facility had a Memory Care unit just for Alzheimer's patients. The staff was very caring and understanding of her special needs.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Ketelsen, her brother, John Carl Schlaich, and her parents, Bea and Senes Schlaich. She is survived by children, Kristine Duke, Karen Hall, and Eric Ketelsen. Shirley has four grandchildren, Amanda and Jeremy Duke, and Eva and Dusty Hall. She is also survived by her siblings, Gary Schlaich, Jim Schlaich, Marian McClure, Adele Method, and Patty Athy.

Shirley always had a calm and positive spirit. We will miss her.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donation to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) and the Central Valley Resource Center (valleycrc.org).

Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with her care. For condolences, please visit http://www.woodmortuary.net. Wood Family Funeral Service requires guests to practice social distancing and face masks/covering are highly recommended.