Marilyn Hermine Kettlewell (Wismer)

Marilyn Hermine Wismer Kettlewell was born on February 18th 1932, at home, in Amherstburg, Essex County, Ontario, Canada, to Theodore Darwin Wismer and Annie Alethea Mills Wismer. She was a third generation member of the Community of Christ Church. She was a life-long member of the church, and was ordained an Elder in 2003. From an early age, Marilyn was a gifted musician. She played piano and sang her whole life. Marilyn and her older sister Lucienna used to sing on the local radio station in Amherstburg Ontario and at their local church congregation. Marilyn received her piano music certificate in July of 1948. In 1950, when Marilyn was 18, she moved to Independence Missouri to attend nursing school at the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital. She actually met her husband Max when she was a small girl (the Wismer and Kettlewell families were friends back in Essex County), but they met again and fell in love, in Independence Missouri. They were married on July 3rd 1955, and lived happily together for 38 years, raising five children. They remained in Independence for their entire married life. Marilyn was very active in the Community of Christ Church. She attended the Spring Branch Congregation and later, the Summit Grove congregation. She served in various roles as music director, choir director, and played organ in the COC Temple for the Prayer for Peace. She also sang in the Independence Messiah Choir for a number of years. Marilyn was also a very gifted seamstress. As a child of the great depression, she learned at an early age to be frugal and use what was available, wasting nothing of useful value. She designed and sewed clothes her whole life for herself, her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Any young bride who was remotely close to Marilyn got an embroidered hankie for her wedding. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Max Victor Kettlewell on May 22, 1994. Of her Canadian family, Marilyn is survived by two brothers and a sister: Darwin Wismer (Ethel), Gerald Wismer (Barbara), and Lucienna Pattison (Desmond), all of Amherstburg, Ontario. She is survived by her five children: Paul Mark Kettlewell (Kim) Independence , Christopher Max Kettlewell (Lisa) Independence, Theodore James Kettlewell (Susanna) Columbia , David Brian Kettlewell, Independence , and Janey Marlene Bredeman (Jim) Blue Springs. Marilyn leaves behind 14 grandchildren: Alicia Selsor Independence, Melody Burks Columbia, Kaley Garza Kansas City, Mark Kettlewell Prairie Village KS, Lisa Marie Kettlewell Kansas City, Clayton Kettlewell Minneapolis MN, Crystal Reckman North Kansas City, Benjamin Kettlewell Raytown, Jenny Johnson St Louis, Mary Kettlewell Austin TX, Kate Lines Severance CO, Sarah Waterman Raytown, Olivia Bredeman Blue Springs, Clarissa Bredeman Blue Springs. Marilyn also leaves behind 17 great grandchildren; Jackson, Wilson, Turner, Delaney, Alex, Antonio, Violet, Vincent, Lucia, Max, Abigail, Eliza, Gordon, Taylor, Kassie, Emma, Easton and Atticus. Mom, you were amazing in life, and no more faithful and loving mother has ever existed. We will miss you greatly, but are so happy that you are finally free of pain, and back home with Dad and our loving Savior. Give Dad a hug from all of us. A visitation will be held from 6-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21 with by a 10:00 a.m. service on Friday, November 22, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO. Entombment will take place at Mound Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Marilyn Kettlewell to Outreach international at www.outreach-internatioan.org Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)