By David McInnes

For the Sequim Gazette

The Sequim Pioneer Association has picked its four Honored Pioneers for 2025. They include sisters Betty Ellis Kettel and Janet Ellis Duncan, Hazel Messenger Lowe, and Tim Wheeler. Look for their bios to run in upcoming Sequim Gazette editions.

The pioneers will participate in events for the 130th Sequim Irrigation Festival, including the Kickoff Dinner and Auction at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at 7 Cedars Casino. They’ll also ride in the Grand Parade on May 10 during the festival May 2-10.

Started in 1896, the Sequim Irrigation Festival is the longest continuous running festival in Washington state and is a 501(c)4 nonprofit, all-volunteer organization.

For more information,visit irrigationfestival.com or email to info@irrigationfestival.com.

Sisters Betty Ellis Kettel and Janet Ellis Duncan’s shared history

They have five siblings: Donald, Betty, Mary, Janet, and David.

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 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. ‘

Betty Ellis Kettel

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.

Janet Ellis Duncan

As an Honored Pioneer for the Sequim Irrigation Festival, Janet said it’s a recognition she holds dear with gratitude and pride. Janet, a 1956 graduate of Sequim High School, has fond memories of her childhood in the Dungeness area, where she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of farm life and a close-knit community.

As a young girl, Janet remembers her mother guiding her through the steps of the traditional Maypole Dance, a cherished annual event during the festival. She also recalls attending the Dungeness Schoolhouse, where her mother often helped cook lunch for students. Janet’s father, a farmer who grew Silver Lake Peas and worked at the Clallam Co-Op and Dungeness Creamery, instilled a love of agriculture in her. The family’s move from Bellingham back to Dungeness was marked by her father’s passion for moving, as Janet fondly recalls, “Dad liked to move.”

Growing up on a farm, Janet often had chores like feeding the calves and working in a large vegetable garden. The McAlmond Farm, where the family lived and worked, is now on the Historic Registry, and Janet’s memories of her time there are full of affection for the hard work and sense of community that defined her upbringing. Janet even saved time walking across fields and climbing fences to catch the school bus, demonstrating her resourcefulness and determination.

Janet’s personal life is just as rich, with four children from her first marriage: Anita, Howie, Shelly, and Steve. She later married Clinton Duncan in 1969, who owned Duncan’s Backhoe Service.

When asked to accept the title of Honored Pioneer, Janet was initially surprised but soon felt deeply honored. With her signature humor, she quipped, “Well … I AM old!”