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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Jan Cook Ketter’s memoir, Harvest of Joy, recounts the tragic event that took the lives of her husband, Verne, and son, Gary. While preparing for Thanksgiving, Jan’s family was struck by the news that Gary’s plane had gone missing, and later learning of the crash. The tragedy left Jan not only grieving but also facing significant financial strain, as Verne had managed the family farm. Jan details a deep faith during this time, as well as sharing her upbringing and the sacrifices made by her father. The family’s earlier years are covered, from Jan’s medical school journey to Verne’s successful transition from aerospace engineer to farmer. Jan’s faith was rocked but was a key pillar during the legal and financial battles that followed. Peace and healing were found, and she married Dick Ketter in 2009, forming a blended family.
In Harvest of Joy, Jan Cook Ketter's writing is a beacon of openness and authenticity, giving readers a raw and hopeful look at loss and recovery. Her prose is both intimate and uplifting, with sincere moments of heartbreak that go a long way in capturing the complicated mess that follows in the aftermath of tragedy, particularly when it destroys any semblance of financial security and fairness in the legal system. These massive obstacles could easily derail a woman with less faith, but Jan pieces her world back together with simple, everyday moments—whether it’s the surprising gifts of flowers and a story of her inspiring another, or the quiet reassurances she experiences through prayer. The subject matter is heavy, but the narrative never loses its warmth or sense of hope, and this is a life worth reading about.
