Marilyn Evelyn (Paulson) Ketchpaw

Marilyn E. Ketchpaw, 82,  of  Elkhorn, Wisconsin and also of Winter Haven, Florida, died peacefully at her home in Elkhorn on September 30, 2017. Marilyn also lived in Lake Geneva much of her life and raised her children there.

She was born Marilyn Evelyn Paulson on April 6th, 1935 to the late Julian and Evelyn (Dethlefsen) Paulson.  She graduated from Taft High School in 1953 and was also a graduate of Wilbur Wright Junior College in Chicago.  Marilyn was united in marriage to Donald E. Ketchpaw (retired Walworth County Sheriff) on July 14th, 1962 at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Park Row in Lake Geneva.

Marilyn and her parents loved the Lake Geneva area so much, her parents purchased the Alpine Motel on Wells Street and they moved here from Chicago and made Lake Geneva their home.  Marilyn enjoyed many activities including reading, shopping, and doing arts and crafts. She especially liked going to the casino with friends, traveling in their motor home, and golfing. Marilyn had a successful career with Tupperware sales and she also sold Fashion Frocks.  In 1976, Marilyn and Don purchased Geneva Gifts in downtown Lake Geneva and she worked there until retiring in the early 1980’s.  After retirement, she and Don split their time between their Wisconsin and Florida homes. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. 

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 55 years, Donald.  Her 5 children: Donna (Richard) Axmann of Clearfield, Utah;  John Ketchpaw of Anchorage, Alaska; Michael Ketchpaw of Lake Geneva; Melissa (Michael) Reuss of Lake Geneva; and Marshal (Susan) Ketchpaw of East Troy, Wisconsin.  Grandchildren include: Donielle Baxter, Chad Marten, and Matt (Melissa) Marten of Utah, Lindsey (Luke) Hansen of Lake Geneva, Kimberly (Taylor) Bass of Elkhorn, Abigail Ketchpaw of Lake Geneva, Ryan Reuss of Minnesota, and Brittany Reuss of Florida. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren.  Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Ketchpaw in February of 2015.

Services for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 6:30 pm in the chapel of Derrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services.. Visitation will be the same day from 3:00 pm until the time of service.  The Reverend Richard C. Axmann will officiate. 

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family has asked that you make a donation in Marilyn’s name to either The Time is Now, Aurora at Home Hospice, or The Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic.  Links have been provided below for your convenience. 

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Derrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lake Geneva is more than honored to be assisting the Family of Marilyn in their time of need.   

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