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Marietta Smith, 1917-2009
Mrs. Smith taught elementary school in Iowa and at Richman Elementary School in Fullerton. Some of you knew her from the First Methodist Church downtown.
Smith, Marietta Elizabeth Ketchen, died in her home in Fullerton, California, on November 29, 2009 after a valiant three-month battle with cancer.

She was born June 28, 1917 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. After high school there, she attended Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls, Iowa where she met her future husband, Ralph Sheridan Smith, Jr.

She initially taught in Iowa in a one-room country school having five pupils in four grades. She and Ralph were married in Emmetsburg on Sept. 5, 1940 and came to Fullerton as newly weds.

Later at Cal State University, Long Beach, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She taught third grade at Richman School in Fullerton for many years.

Both teachers, Marietta and Ralph enjoyed summer travels and visited all 50 of the United States, as well as Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. Marietta's passion was genealogy and keeping track of her extended family. She had traced her lineage back for more than 200 years.

Her other passion was bridge!

She was a devoted member of Fullerton First United Methodist Church and was active in United Methodist Women, the Elizabeth Circle, and Prayer Group. Her faith and her Church community were a very important part of her life. She belonged to PEO, Chapter Y and highly valued those friendships.

She was predeceased in 1997 by her husband, Ralph. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon ( Dawson) of Portland Oregon; her son, Bill (Phyllis) of Arcadia, California; three grandsons, Christopher Dawson and Alexander Dawson (Faith) all of Portland, Oregon, Mackenzie Smith (Pam) of Salem, Oregon; and two granddaughters, Alessandra Smith of Arcadia, California and Kendall Daniels (Dave), of Azusa, California. She was very proud of her five great-grandchildren. Her beloved sister, Jeanne Kraus, lives in Britt, Iowa. Marietta was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and her family and many friends will miss her greatly.

Her memorial service will be celebrated at the First Methodist Church in Fullerton, California, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 21, 2009, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Fullerton, 114 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832. McAulay & Wallace Mortuary
 

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