Helen Anne Wetzel, 90, passed away July 13, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living, Great Bend, Kan. She was born on July 2, 1934, to George Paul and Alta (Morris) Maskus in Ford County, Kan. Helen was baptized as an infant at St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Hodgeman County on Aug. 5, 1934, her sponsors being Henery and Bertha Niedens. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in June 1946 at St. Michaels. Helen attended grade school in Hodgeman County and graduated from Dodge City High School in 1952.
She married Edgar “Ed” Wetzel on Dec. 28, 1952, at St. Michaels. She followed her Air Force husband for three years of married life before moving to Great Bend in December 1955. Helen was a homemaker.
Helen was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1955, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, member of the Care team, and assisted with LOGOS and Vacation Bible School. She also served as secretary and president of Bethany Circle.
She enjoyed playing Bridge, spending time with her family - especially the great great granddaughters, singing, good friends, and reading. She and Ed loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Jamaica, Hawaii, Alaska, Acapulco, Canada, Niagara Falls, and a Caribbean cruise for a belated honeymoon. Many fond memories were made while wintering in South Texas.
Survivors include her son, Randy Wetzel and wife Brenda of Great Bend; daughter, Renee Holl and husband Dennis of St. John; grandson, Dennis Price of Wichita; two great grandchildren, Haley Jackson and husband Chris of Russell, and Cody Piland and wife Chelsa of Wichita; four great great granddaughters, Kaylee and Kellie Jackson, Ava Winters, and Peyton Piland; two brothers, Jim Maskus and wife Pat of Edmond, Okla., and Richard Maskus and wife Linda of Bolivar, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Irene Maskus and Nancy Maskus, both of Jetmore; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband; granddaughter, Michelle Price; her parents; four brothers, Paul, Jack, Bill and Robert Maskus; and three sisters, Jean Bushell, Joyce Koehn, and Phyllis Weiss.
Visitation will take place noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Jay Welshonse presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery. Memorials have been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, July 16, 2024
