Diane Elizabeth (Ray) Ketter, formerly of Ashland, MO, passed away suddenly May 16, 2024.
Diane was born May 27, 1950, to Dennis and Mary Alice (Highhouse) Ray in Erie, PA. As the oldest of four siblings, she learned at an early age how to delegate tasks. She was a “doer” by nature and an entrepreneur at an early age, raising chickens and selling the eggs. She remained a “doer” her entire life, and was always the first to volunteer for any needs she saw.
She graduated from Highland High School in Medina, Ohio, and then from the Akron School of Nursing. After graduation in 1971, Diane joined the Navy and was stationed in Portsmith, VA. While there, she met the love of her life, Jim, who was also in the Navy. They married on Feb. 10, 1973, during a historic blizzard in Virginia Beach. After discharge from the Navy, they settled in mid Missouri, where Jim was born and raised.
Diane continued her nursing studies and received both her MA and FNP degrees from the University of Missouri. She taught clinical nursing to Mizzou students and also worked in the student health clinics at both Mizzou and Columbia College.
Diane and Jim lived in Ashland, Missouri, for 29 years in a passive solar house they designed and built together on 76 wooded acres. They raised their three children there, along with a menagerie of pets. The Ketter household was especially active when the kids were teenagers. Diane always welcomed an extra two or three, or ten, at the dinner table.
A picture of courage and tenacity, Diane was a Captain in the Navy Reserves. As a Navy nurse, her reserve unit was called to active duty to staff a mobile hospital in Bahrain during Desert Storm. Her incredible perseverance helped her become a breast cancer survivor in 2008.
Diane loved gardening, thrifting, sewing, puzzles, spending time with her family, and traveling. She and Jim took several river cruises in Europe, visited their son Daniel in Taiwan, saw the Great Wall of China, and in 2023 they celebrated their 50th anniversary in Hawaii. Diane’s grandchildren were the light of her life, and she enjoyed numerous trips with them to Branson.
Diane was a faithful servant to the Lord, working with the youth at Ashland Baptist for many years, serving as sound technician at Linden Baptist Church in Gladstone, and volunteering on the board of the Kansas City Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary. She said, “Being able to pray with hurting people and offer hope and encouragement is both humbling and gratifying.” She was a consummate caregiver, welcoming foster children and foreign exchange students into her home, and caring for her parents during their later years.
Diane is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; children Jason (Traci), Daniel, and Lauren (Josh); siblings David Rea (Hassell), “adopted” sibling Judy McElroy (Russ), Dale Sawan (Curt), and Deborah Engel (Stan); grandchildren Simon, Hannah, Miles, Amelia, and Ella; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will host a Celebration of Diane’s Life on May 25 at 2 p.m. at Linden Baptist Church, located at 611 NE 69th St, Gladstone, MO 64118. Fellowship to follow at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, World Vision, or the charity of your choice.
