Mary Lou Wetzel
December 13, 1937 - August 16, 2018
Obituary
Mary Lou Wetzel of Federal Way passed away at the age of 80 on August 16, 2018.
She was born on December 13, 1937 in Chehalis WA to Frank and Edna Jones.
Mary grew up in the farming community of Curtis WA near Chehalis. Mary received her Bachelors in education and worked as a Home Economics teacher until she met William Wetzel. She married William in 1962 and gladly left her career behind to be able to stay at home to be there for the children. Together they raised not only their own children Carol and Frank, but William’s nephews John Von Wetzel & Kurt Von Wetzel and later their two grandchildren Cassondra Wetzel and Jacob Wetzel-McCorkle after their daughter Carol passed away in 1997. Ever the care giver, Mary was always willing to make sacrifices for her family as well as all those around her. It was just in her nature.
When William retired Mary went to work at the deli at Johnny’s Grocery in Des Moines WA. After William passed away in 1999 and she retired as the Assistant Manager of the deli, Mary returned to teaching part time as a substitute for the Federal Way School dist. where she taught for many years in semi-retirement.
Mary also had a passion for gardening and yardwork. She tended to several gardens at her home over the years and William once gave her a rose bush and even though roses might not have been her favorite flower, this particular rosebush became one of her favorites and she cherished every flower on it.
Together as a family they enjoyed many road trips to Oregon, Nevada, Ocean Shores and the Jones Family farm.
Mary is survived by her son Frank Wetzel; grandchildren Cassondra Wetzel, Jacob Wetzel-McCorkle and Nephews John Von Wetzel and Kurt Von Wetzel.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Wetzel and her daughter Carol Wetzel.
We loved you, Mary, very much. Thanks for all the coffee and visiting we had.
I remember Mary Lou from Boistfort School years…she was always friendly and smiling. My older sis, Nancy, considered her a friend and enjoyed her time with her at school.
I ran into Mary Lou at Federal Way when I attended a school function for my young grand nephew…I was surprised to recognize her….it had been years….I believe she was with her grandchild….my nephew was in town last weekend, and we remembered that time….he said she invited him to her home for the kids to have fun on the trampoline. Nice memories.
Knew Mary Wetzel and Bill since 1962 @ Reichhold Chemicals Tacoma
Salt of the earth people