Vernie Wetzel

Vernie Eunice, daughter of Jens Lawrence and Marie Margaret (Christensen) Pedersen, was born April 21, 1921 at home near Galva, Iowa. She began her education at Harlan, Iowa followed by Kirkman and Polk #1 and then graduated from Irwin High School in 1939. Vernie was married to Harold Glenn Wetzel on September 10, 1941 at the home of her parents in Irwin, Iowa. Vernie and Harold were the parents of two sons Harold and Robert and daughter Judith and lived near Irwin and Manilla where Harold farmed with his brother Lyle. In 1951 they purchased a farm at Sewal, Iowa and also leased a DX Service Station. Vernie enjoyed being outside and raised a large garden and many flowers. One year she worked on a turkey farm and raised a 10 pen house, 5000 bird flock from birth to range age. Vernie taught a preschool Sunday school class and was youth leader for the teen age youth group for several years at their church. In 1962, after selling the farm for health reasons, they moved to Manning where they operated the DX Station at the corner of 5th and Main. They later moved to the DX Station and café on 141 Highway. Vernie was the cook until 1965 when they gave up the cafe. She worked as a nurse's aide at Manning General Hospital in 1966 and continued working there and also the Plaza in various departments until her husband became disabled in 1993. Vernie loved to sew making many hand-sewed quilts for family and friends and baking cookies and candies at Christmas (especially divinity) all though she always said she did not like to cook. Vernie was a member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, VFW Auxiliary and Hospital Plaza Auxiliary. She also delivered Meals on Wheels for the senior center. Vernie moved to Overland Park, Kansas to be nearer her children when her health did not permit her to live alone. She passed away November 11, 2014 at Garden Terrace of Overland Park Alzheimer's care facility at the age of 93 years. Preceding her in death are her parents; husband Harold in 1995; daughter Judith Reder in 1978 and two brothers Gordon (Margaret) Pedersen and Kenneth (Shirley) Pedersen. Vernie is survived by two sons Harold Wetzel and wife Joyce of Kansas City. MO and Robert Wetzel and wife Laura (who was like a daughter to her) of Kansas City, KS; five grandchildren Korena, Tracy, Heather, Alysha and Heath; two step grandchildren Diane and Debbie; five great grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; and four great great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. REVEREND VICKI FISHER, OFFICIATING Music "STAR OF THE EAST" "IVORY PALACES" "AMAZING GRACE" GEORGIA LOHRMANN AND JOANN KARSTEN, VOCALS JANET MYER, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers DAN ROCHE PAUL VAN DYKE HEATH WETZEL DANNY HANSEN JIM WETZEL JOHN MILLER