Ashley Marie Ketelhut

Ashley was a spirit like no other. Born 5 weeks early, tiny and perfect, she was excitedly welcomed and wanted by her siblings, as they both wanted a baby to help raise. They loved to hold her and help out with her, often not letting her sleep so they could spend more time with her. It took no time at all for Ashley to have us all wrapped around her finger.

Ashley was fearless as a child. She loved a good adventure, and would occasionally take off on her own little missions out the back door, causing the neighborhood to start a frenzied search party, once found sitting in the middle of a brush pile with 9 puppies! Her love for dogs started immediately.

Ashley loved being the baby of the family. She thought of it as being the best position in the family. When the other kids would make remakes about her being more spoiled, she would say “It's your fault for being born before me!” She often used the “baby of the family” excuse to get more things, trips, and privileges than her siblings. She would say “But I'm the baby and I'm supposed to have more!”

Ashley was a girl that didn't mind getting dirty. She had a passion for rock collecting and would often make her own uniforms to go rock picking so the bees and mosquitoes wouldn't bother her. She loved going to animal auctions with grandpa, and loved to fish with him and her Uncle Lukey. Hunting was also something she enjoyed doing with her dad.

Ashley developed a love for Elvis Presley and his music, a love she would share with her Grandmother. We would often find her jamming out to some Elvis, and even her sweet 16th birthday was Elvis themed. We recently surprised Ashley with a 4-day trip to Graceland as an early graduation gift. She had an amazing time there and in spending time with just her mom and dad on a road trip. She had an unnatural obsession with fried cheese curds, and once ate nothing else for two whole weeks. Every year of her life we would take a family vacation to Wisconsin and to the Wisconsin Dells, where she would pick the biggest, meanest waterslide or rollercoaster to ride on. Never wanting to be left behind she often dictated what activities we would do there.

She loved to joke and rile people up. If she had something to say she would say it with no sugar coating. If she was mad at you, you would hear it. The was no winning an argument with Ash. She loved becoming an aunt to niece Audrey , often buying her gifts, taking naps, and dancing and playing with her.

Her truest love belonged to her little dog, Echo. Echo was a best friend like no other, spending every night cuddled up together for a good rest, after spoiling Echo with multiple treats and snacks throughout the day. She had bought her a large supply of toys and, at current count, 4 different doggie beds. She made time every day to give Echo one-on-one time with some baby talk.

Ashley loved her job working at Cenex connivence store in Detroit Lakes. She had made many great friendships with her coworkers. Ashley developed a special bond with her school counselor Nate and had anticipated a life long friendship with him. She had wonderful friendships that were there for her throughout the most fun and difficult times, always thinking of others before herself. Ashley had a huge giving heart. She thought of everyone at Christmas time, including the family dogs. She was always willing to help and would often leave notes to be found around the house stating how much she loved us and for us to have a good day. Her most favorite hobby was spending time with her family. She adored her siblings and craved to be near them as much as possible, often sleeping in their rooms at night, watching movies, and playing games. She has quite a collection of stuffed animals, as she never outgrew her love for them, but her favorites were her stuffed cows. She had over 30 cows alone, each and every one of them assigned with a name beginning with “V”. Her first and favorite was named Vinny, and he was with her wherever she would go.

Ashley would always be sure to tell her mom and dad she loved them, and was always there for her mom when she needed to talk, and knew that she could always go to her dad and ask him from pretty much anything and he make it become possible.

Ashley had developed a love for art and was often seen drawing, painting or working on a craft project; paint smeared throughout her room, including her bedding, clothing, bathroom counters, and sinks. She refused to tie her shoes herself and would never learn so she still had her mom and dad tie her shoes for her. But mostly you'd find her in her favorite crocs even in the middle of winter with no socks on.

She loved to drive around in her Ford Escape and loved to take anyone for a ride. She would often get off work and just go driving around for an hour or so, listening to music before she came home. But most of all she loved to be at home, curled up in a good blanket, watching a TV show or reading.

Ashley had a radiant spirit which seemed to carry sunlight wherever she went . She left behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a vibrant energy to anyone who may have had the joy to know her.

Ashley is survived by her parents, Jenny and John Ketelhut; sister, April (John); brother, Thomas (Sarah); her niece, Audrey; Grandparents, Tom and Jackie Jensen; Grandmother, Kathleen Byer; her Aunt Angie (George); Uncle, Luke (Courtney); cousins, Alex, Briley and Randy; as well as numerous great aunts and uncles, and various other related cousins; her dog, Echo; and many friends, classmates, and colleagues.

Proceeding her in death was grandfather Gerald Ketelhut.

A public visitation will be held for Ashley on Tuesday, May 20th from 4pm to 7pm at David Donehower Funeral Home, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30pm, conducted by Pastor Jesse Swiers. Funeral services will be held at Strawberry Lake Mennonite Church on Wednesday, May 21st, beginning with visitation at 11am and formal services at Noon. Burial will take place at Strawberry Lake Mennonite Cemetery immediately following.