George Clement Wieser
February 22, 1920 - March 31, 2009
Obituary
George Clement Wieser 2/22/1920 – 3/31/2009
George was born on February 22, 1920 in Humphrey, Nebraska to John & Elizabeth Wieser. He was the fourth oldest of fourteen children. He attended 1st through 8th grade at Catholic country school at St. Mary’s near Humphrey. It was a 2-room school with four grades in each classroom; 2 nuns 1 in each room and about 7-8 kids in each classroom. He graduated from 8th grade on May 27, 1934. Then he spent 9th through 12th grade at St. Francis Catholic School in Humphrey about 30 kids in the school, graduating May 26, 1938.
While he was a kid, his hobbies included: collecting marbles & baseballs, hunting pheasants & rabbits, and going to lots of wedding dances. He rode a horse & buggy to school and everywhere he went. He worked on the farm corn, wheat, oats, sorghum, pigs, chickens, cattle, horses and sheep, earning $3/day harvesting the fields. During grade school he played ball at recess and was always the pitcher. In high school he was the baseball team’s pitcher all four years. Later, he was considered the ‘best pitcher in the country in the minor leagues’ where he had the opportunity to pitch against Satchel Paige.
In July 1938, he signed up for a business course at the ‘Commercial Extension’ in Omaha, NE; the first year he did correspondence courses by mail from home; and the second year was in residence in Omaha. He left home in November 1939; the bus stopped at the end of the driveway to pick him up. He had a metal suitcase and $10 in his pocket; he had to find a place to stay. For room & board, he worked as a bus-boy/dishwasher in a café; and stoked furnaces for spending money & meals. The café paid 25 cents an hour; he worked an hour free for his meal. He received his Business Administration certificate in September 1940. While in college, he took the Civil Service Exam. Requirements were to type 35 wpm. He got 92.5 on the mental portion; and 70 on experience he says he didn’t know Morse code. He debated about going to Hawaii because they were hiring, but he didn’t.
In September 1940, he went to look for a job, but couldn’t find anything in Omaha. He found a bookkeeping job at a Chevy dealer in Wahoo, NE. He didn’t have a car, so found a ride to the interview. He worked there until July 15, 1941. While there, he made $15/week; he also played on their baseball team two nights a week earning another $12/week. He belonged to the golf & country club, and bought a Model A Ford for $75.
About June 27, 1941, he heard from the Civil Service and they wanted him to go to work for them immediately. He started working on July 15, 1941 in Overton, NE, doing weather observation and sending weather on teletype; talking to airplanes, giving them weather. He was paid $1, 260/year as a CAF – grade 1 rating.
On March 1, 1942, he was promoted to grade 3 $1, 620/year when they upgraded the facility. On July 1, 1942, he was sent to North Platte, NE, where he did similar work but no weather reports teletype & Radio and made $1, 800/year. He bid on lots of places Omaha, Kansas City, Grand Island. On February 9, 1943, he moved to Grand Island at the same pay, doing the same work. His main job was to relay traffic control to airplanes at the airport, a military base without a tower.
On August 1, 1943, he moved to Cheyenne, WY doing the same work, making $2, 000/year. Mary Lou Krentz worked for the weather bureau and he met her in September 1943. On May 1, 1944, he became a relief operator for the military. As a relief operator he worked at lots of different places. If someone was sick, he had to go to Sydney, NE; Scottbluff, NE; Hay Center, NE; Big Springs, NE; and Phillips, SD.
On October 21, 1945, he transferred to Kansas City, MO as a relief operator. He worked in Kirksville, MO; Knoxville, MO; Jolie, IL; Watertown, SD; Phillips, SD; and Hay Center, NE. He received 4 cents a mile for mileage. He had an unlimited gas card no rationing on his gas or tires. During that time, the government rationed meat. He gave his mother-in-law Reta Krentz his meat ration cards making points with her daughter Mary Lou. He got invited to the Krentz’ cabin in Estes Park and started going there about every 4-5 months.
In February 1946, he proposed to Mary Lou in Washington, DC where she was stationed in the service. In August 1946, he moved to Denver and lived with his sister for a month. He was no longer a relief operator, but was doing teletype and radio. He married Mary Lou on September 7, 1946. They lived in a motel for about one month, then moved into an apartment, and finally bought their first home in Denver in August 1947.
On February 14, 1954, they moved to Seattle with their first four children. George went to work at the Air Traffic Control Center at SeaTac Airport. His pay went from $5, 470 to $5, 710 per year. He later qualified for radar and was moved to the Auburn Center in 1962. Ten more kids were born in Burien, and George built a new house in 1960 where he lived with Mary Lou until he passed away. He retired from his job as an Air Traffic Controller in February 1980 at the age of 60. He still had six teenage girls at home, so developed a number of hobbies to keep himself busy. He’s toured the country by motorhome with his family. He enjoys woodcarving, winemaking, fishing playing bridge & poker, and going to yard sales. He’s belonged to the Knights of Columbus for over 30 years, served as Past Grand Knight, and for 25 years as Financial Secretary. He was a life-long Mariners fan. He taught all his kids how to play baseball, and enjoyed watching them win for the past 50 years.
George has had many tragedies in his life polio, eye tumor, loss of family & friends, but he has also had a life full of joy 62 years married to Mary Lou, 14 healthy kids, 21 grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. In January 1999, the Parents Association at St. Francis School awarded him and Mary Lou the ‘Spirit Award’ for their outstanding volunteer efforts for both the parish and the school.
George and Mary Lou’s 14 children: Richard Joanne, Elma, WA; Reta Art Shepard, Arlington, WA; Robbi Roger Alberts, Shelton, WA; Ruth Jan, Des Moines, WA; Roger Carla, Renton, WA; Rose Thompson, Henderson, NV; Ray Joleen, Auburn, WA; Roy Jodeen, Des Moines, WA; Regina, Seattle, WA; Renee Greg Parsons, Kent, WA; Ramona Jon Anderson, Burien, WA; Rachel Carey Haggerton, Kent, WA; Rebecca Boyd, Burien, WA; Rhonda Darren Stewart, Kent, WA. They have given them 21 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity.
Our prayers are with each and every one of you. I’m sorry I didn’t know about this sooner. Your Mom and Dad are very special people.I admire what they have accomplished in all their children! What a great family! I know you all will miss him dearly. My prayers are with Mary Lou and I pray that the Lord will keep her healthy and happy and be a comfort for her and the entire family in their loss. Love and prayers
To the whole Wieser family we were very saddened when we heard that George passed away but he is with God now and that has to be a great place, always keep the memories you have of him cuz those are great ones and sounds like you all have alot of them. Our Prayers are with all of you.
Alan & Lori Jarosz & Family
Those we love are always with us.
Their laughter and their wisdom,
their advice and thoughtfulness
are gifts of love that are ours to keep.
May the gifts of your Husband & Father help console all of you now
and fill your hearts with memories
that will always comfort you.
So sorry we couldn’t personally be there, but I’m glad a few from our family in Nebraska traveled the distance to be with you. You are in our thoughts & prayers!
What a great tribute to George. We didn’t know he was such a good baseball pitcher, but we knew he was the best statistician around, and multi tasking was a breeze for him.
He was a good man with a great sense of humor, and a good friend, we will miss him!
Our condolenses to Mary Lou and all the family – our prayers are with you all!
Ray and Wieser family, very sorry for your loss, from what I have read and what Ray has told me he was a man I would liked to have met. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I know how difficult this can be but you have your memories that will get you through the tough times. George is in a better place and he will always be with you watching over you always being there when you need him.
My condolences to Rhonda’s family and Wieser families in the passing of her Dad. May you find God’s peace and love during this difficult time. With prayers and sympathies, Julie
To Roger, Robbi, Mona, Rachel, Becca and family,
Your dad was a great guy! I enjoyed being able to be around him and benefit from him being a great father. I wish I could be with you all during this time. My thoughts are with each of you. Your dad’s legacy will continue for many many generations to come!
With love,
Erica
My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Wieser family.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Mary Lou and all you Rs –
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about the early years of St. Francis Parish School and the lasting impact that the strong families of the parish had on one another. Your family is one of those that touched the lives of many others in large and small ways. I was fortunate to be a contemporary of the older Rs; my younger sisters lined up with younger Rs. Each of us can recall memories to share. Here are a few of mine
I remember warm summer evenings playing baseball in the grade school diamond across the fence from your back yard. It wasn’t a game until Rick arrived. I remember dinner at your picnic table in the house. I remember when George showed me his cobbler’s tools, and his joke that he couldn’t afford not to learn the skill. I remember high school summer stock and becoming enchanted with Reta’s infectious laugh and smile.
But mostly I remember the quality of family life that Mary Lou and George created and that I see passed on to and through their children, and I am thankful.
My best to you all in this time of loss. Know that you are in my heart.
Tom
Dad,Thank you for all the things that you taught me how to do growing up. Throw a ball, pound a nail, work on cars, play poker, be a hard worker, family values, and how to fix most things I try, but I’ll never be as good as you were. You will be forever in my thoughts when I tinker in my garage, since it looks just like yours. I will also miss the phone calls to discuss the mariner games and Bobby Ayala’s pitching skills, or like you would say, the lack of. Grandpa, you will be missed at the family gatherings and BBQ’s who’s going to flip those burgers and hot dogs now? You will be truly missed by everyone. Lots of Love from the,
Thanks for sharing the story of you father’s life and his experiences that we can all learn from as we go through the same journey. Fourteen children is a great accomplishment.
On behalf of the Godfrey family, please accept my condolences. My parents, Roger and Marge Godfrey, were good friends with George and Mary Lou for years through the Twins Club and through church activities. We will keep you in our prayers.
Many thoughts and prayers to my grandma Mary Lou.
Grandpa you are the best. Some of my happiest memories as a kid were spent with you and grandma. I remember when you would watch me play with the mind puzzle toys and when I figured them out you would make me feel so smart. I looked up to you and always thought you were the smartest and most loving grandpa. The beaches, picnics, zoos, camping and time spent together will always be cherished in my heart. Growing up so far away meant only spending once a year or so with you but I always enjoyed the time we had. You will be missed.
We will miss the visits with George at Robbi and Rogers. Our condolances to the family, enjoy all the great memories. Regards, George and Donna Miller
My prayers to all the family, George lived a full life leaving the world with a beautiful family legacy.God bless you all.
My sincerest condolence to my wonderful Aunt Mary Lou and all of my cousins. Uncle George will be truely missed.
So many memories of you, dad… tips for improving at baseball & softball, learning you don’t need to throw things away they can be fixed!, watching you resole our shoes, watching you keep track of every penny you spent how else could you raise 14 kids?, going salmon fishing with you at Westport, you teaching me to drive, cracking crab your favorite!, tasting your home-made wine smile, our motorhome roadtrip to Kansas City, driving to mom’s reunion in Cheyenne, visiting relatives in Nebraska. Great memories!
Dear Mr. Wieser!
Thank you for accepting me into your already “large” family when I was 15 years old. You rescued Mona, Rachel and myself so many times when we ran out of gas, the car broke down, etc…
You will always hold a special place in my heart!
Angie
He will be missed.
George was great man. May his spirit live on in all that knew him and his family.
You were the best Dad in the world! We will miss you! I’ll really miss all the advice that you would give us when we played softball!
Grandpa, what an inspiration you have been to me. Your commitment to your family, your marriage, your work and those around you have always astounded me. What a wonderful smile you have and I will miss that chuckle you would get when we would be debating issues. Truly the great patriarch of this family. I will miss you much. Love Monica
Mary Lou & Family
May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead.
Peace, prayers and blessings,
Steve and Karen Wieser & Family
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, Marilou, and to all of George’s family. May God bless all of you with peace and consolation during this trying period.