For Betty, Sequim has always been home. A 1953 graduate of Sequim High School, Betty’s fond memories of growing up in the valley are as cherished as the moments she spent giving back to the community. During her senior year, Betty served as one of the princesses, a role that introduced her to the importance of community involvement—a theme that would define much of her life.
After marrying Lawrence “Humpy” Kettel, another member of Sequim’s pioneer families, Betty and her husband became well-known figures in the community. They owned the gas station on the northeast corner of Washington and 2nd Avenue—a staple of Sequim for many years. Humpy, a beloved local figure, worked hard to build a reputable business, and Betty played an important role in the community as well. She worked at The Three Crabs, a popular local spot, and later dedicated her time to the Sequim School District, where she worked in food services, providing delicious meals for the youth of the area.
Betty’s love for family and nature is evident in her life’s journey. Betty and Humpy had three children—Gwen, Pam, and Gary—and over the years, the family grew to include nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. For Betty, there is no greater joy than spending time with her beloved family. Whether it’s camping at Kalaloch, hiking in the Olympics, or clamming and fishing, Betty enjoys the great outdoors and passing down these traditions to the next generation.
In fact, Betty is known for her remarkable fishing skills, and many in Sequim can recall her prowess on the water. Family time was always filled with outdoor adventures, fostering a deep bond with the land and each other. One particularly memorable moment for Betty was the big snowstorm of 1950, when she was just 15 years old. She recalls walking up the long lane of McAlmond Lane to the barn and house in Dungeness during the storm, only to experience the painful effects of chilblains from the cold. That was the year when heavy ice brought down telephone poles and lines, and the storm became a defining event in the community.
A strong memory was during World War II in Sequim where mandatory blackouts kept the Sequim-Dungeness Valley dark at night, a safety measure in case of enemy aircraft. Betty remembers how, during these wartime years, a serviceman came to their door to ensure their windows were properly blacked out to prevent any light from escaping. The watchtowers around the area are a stark reminder of the sacrifices made to protect the country.
Betty Kettel and Janet Duncan are sisters and have a shared history.
Their parents, seeking stability after difficult years in North Dakota during the 1920s, packed up their belongings and set out for a more peaceful and prosperous life in the lush Sequim-Dungeness Valley. The Fuller grandparents, who had settled in Sequim on Secor Road years earlier, were instrumental in drawing the family westward. The five children (Donald, Betty, Mary, Janet, and David) grew up in Dungeness, attending school at the Dungeness Schoolhouse in the earlier grades before heading to Sequim High School.
Betty and Janet’s family history runs deep, with their ancestral ties to the S’Klallam Tribe through their great-grandmother, Henrietta Stevens, also known by her tribal name Sea-litza, meaning “Little Quail.” Henrietta Stevens, born in 1849, is remembered as an important figure in the S’Klallam community, and her legacy continues to inspire Betty and Janet today. This connection to the region’s Indigenous roots provides an enriching layer to their story and serves as a reminder of the cultural significance of the Sequim area.