SEQUIM — The Sequim Pioneer Association has picked its four Honored Pioneers for this year. They include sisters Betty Ellis Kettel and Janet Ellis Duncan, Hazel Messenger Lowe and Tim Wheeler.

The pioneers will participate in events for the 130th Sequim Irrigation Festival, and they will ride in the Grand Parade on May 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.

Shared history

Sisters Betty Ellis Kettel and Janet Ellis Duncan have a 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 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 they attended Sequim High School.

Betty and Janet’s family history runs deep, with their ancestral ties to the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe through their great-grandmother, Henrietta Stevens, also known by her tribal name Sea-litza, meaning “Little Quail.”

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.

For Betty, Sequim has always been home. A 1953 Sequim High School graduate, her 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 community figures.

They owned the gas station on the northeast corner of Washington and Second Avenue — a staple of Sequim for many years.

Betty worked at The Three Crabs, a popular spot, and later dedicated her time to the Sequim School District, where she worked in food services, providing meals for youth.

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 outdoors and passing down these traditions to the next generation.

One particularly memorable moment for Betty was the big snowstorm of 1950, when she was just 15. She recalled 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 community event.

Another 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

Janet said being an Honored Pioneer for the Sequim Irrigation Festival is a recognition she holds with gratitude and pride. The 1956 Sequim High School graduate 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. The family’s move from Bellingham back to Dungeness was marked by her father’s passion for moving, as Janet fondly recalled, “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.

Hazel Messenger Lowe

Hazel’s lineage traces back to her great-grandparents, who homesteaded near Chicken Coop Road in Blyn. Born to Chauncey Messenger and Dorothy Delaney, she was the fourth of five children: Mayme, Phyllis, Pete, Hazel and George. Chauncey died when the children were young. In 1954, Dorothy remarried Don Hendrickson, and they had a son, John.

The Messenger family has deep ties to Sequim’s cultural heritage. Dorothy, Hazel’s mother, was crowned the 1927 Irrigation Festival Queen. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Hazel served on the Royalty Court in 1959, embodying the grace and tradition of Sequim’s annual celebration.

In 1962, Hazel married Tom Lowe, and together they raised five daughters: Sandy, Sheryl, Vicki, Cindy and Kathy. Their family became a cornerstone of the community, with Tom Tom’s Grocery — an establishment located at the northwest corner of Washington Street and Fifth Avenue (now the site of Rite-Aid) — serving as a gathering place.

During the gas shortages of 1973 and 1979, Tom Tom’s implemented a system where customers with last names starting with L-Z could purchase gas on certain days, and A-K on others, ensuring fair distribution during challenging times.

Hazel fondly recalls her childhood in Blyn, where life was simpler, and everyone knew each other. She remembers attending the Dresden Theater (now the site of Sunshine Café), purchasing a ticket and often staying to watch the movie a second time. In high school, she and her friends enjoyed watching Elvis movies in Port Angeles, where the excitement was palpable, with everyone dancing in the aisles.

A memorable high school prank involved Hazel and her friends painting a “59” under the main stoplight in downtown Sequim using her mother’s house paint. While the cleanup was a chore, the laughter and camaraderie made it worthwhile.

Hazel’s involvement in the community extended beyond her family. She was president of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA) and has fond memories of playing basketball in the Old Gym, where girls played half-court. She also recalled the excitement when girls were allowed to wear “dress pants” to boys’ afternoon football games — a significant change at the time.

The Sequim Prairie Grange, known for its community dances, was another venue where Hazel and her family spent many evenings. These dances were so popular that they often filled the dance floor. Hazel has volunteered for the Sequim Prairie Grange for many years.

Hazel’s journey from her early days in Blyn to becoming an integral part of Sequim’s fabric exemplifies the essence of an Honored Pioneer. Her dedication to family, community, and tradition has left an indelible mark on Sequim, and her story continues to inspire those who call this town home.

As Hazel reflects on her life, she notes, “Life in Sequim was much simpler growing up where everyone knew each other.” Her enduring legacy is a testament to the enduring spirit of Sequim and its people.

Tim Wheeler

Wheeler’s deep roots in the community, coupled with his remarkable career and unwavering commitment to service, make him a fitting honoree.

Born and raised on a dairy farm in Sequim, Wheeler has been a part of the community since his childhood. He graduated from Sequim High School in 1958. After high school, he pursued higher education at Amherst College, graduating in 1964. His journey would take him far from Sequim, but his heart remained anchored in his hometown.

In 1967, Wheeler and his wife Joyce moved east, where he embarked on a career in journalism. He began as a staff writer for The Worker and later became the Washington correspondent for The Daily World, gaining recognition for his reporting and writing. During his time in Baltimore, Tim and Joyce raised three children, contributing to their community and making a lasting impact through their work and volunteer efforts.

In 2006, after retiring, Tim and Joyce returned to Sequim and began a new chapter of civic engagement. Tim became an active member of the Clallam County Democratic Party, where he and Joyce spent countless hours doorbelling for local, state and national candidates, including those of historic importance like President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden.

Beyond his political activism, Wheeler has made significant contributions to the literary world. He is the author of two books: News From Rain Shadow Country, a reflection on his childhood in Sequim, and News For the 99%, which draws on the stories and experiences from his career in journalism. These books showcase Wheeler’s unique perspective on the world, blending his deep connection to Sequim with the insights he gained from his time in the newsroom.