ARLENE MAE WETZEL

Arlene M. Wetzel, 87, New Rockford, formerly of Sheyenne and Oberon, ND, died on Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, at the Carrington Health Center. She recently had been under the care of the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Arlene will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church. Fr. Charles Leute O.P and Fr. Bernard Pfau will concelebrate the Mass, and burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Oberon. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:30 p.m. Visitation on Thursday will be at St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Casket Bearers for Arlene will be her grandsons, Andrew Wetzel, Cole Wetzel, Todd Thompson, Troy Thompson, Brian Anderson, Kyle Wetzel, Tom “Pee Wee” Wetzel, Hunter Wetzel and Gunner Wetzel. Honorary Bearers will be members of the American Legion Auxiliary of Oberon, the VFW Auxiliary of Sheyenne, Donny Belgarde and all of Arlene’s many dear friends. Altar Server will be Arlene’s granddaughter Sierra Wetzel and music will be provided by granddaughter Sarah Anderson, song leader and soloist. Honorary and Active Gift Bearers will be granddaughters Dawn Schoeberl, Hollys Wetzel, Danette Houle, Shana Donadio and Michelle Wetzel; Reading the Scriptures will be granddaughters Shelby Wetzel and Keely Sabinash. Eucharistic Ministers will be granddaughters Erin and Suzanne Wetzel. Arlene was born March 26, 1924, on her family farm near Black River Falls, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Julius and Inga (Gilbertson) Paulson, whose parents were immigrants from Norway. She went to a country grade school and graduated from high school in Black River Falls, WI. She came to North Dakota after high school to work as a family caregiver at Oberon where she met her future husband, Albert L. Wetzel. They married on May 20, 1942, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten. They farmed for many years in Lallie Township, north of Oberon, in Benson County. Later they owned and operated the Dutchman’s Bar in Oberon. They retired to a home in Sheyenne, and later moved to a senior apartment in New Rockford. Albert died in 2008. Arlene moved into the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford in 2009. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, with five generations of family and many longtime friends, in May of 2007. Arlene was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten; and also attended St. John’s Catholic Church, New Rockford. She enjoyed cooking, baking, canning, visiting with friends, spending time with the many family members, especially children, and helping neighbors. She loved going to rummage sales and it was especially enjoyable with the grandchildren along to share in the adventure. She is survived by four sons: Rodger (Cindy) Wetzel, Bismarck; Tom Wetzel, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tim Wetzel, Tacoma, Washington; Paul “Fritz” (Karen) Wetzel, New Rockford; daughter, Anita Anderson, Devils Lake; daughter-in-law, Pat Wetzel of Oberon; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Delores Hulette of Hixton, Wi; and Jane Ploium of Nevada. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert; her son, Daniel “Pete”; her parents, Julius and Inga Paulson; her brothers, Alvin, Leonard, Paul and Walter Paulson; a sister, Mabel Peterson; a grandson, Michael Anderson; and a great-granddaughter, Jennifer Hildebrant.