Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Wetzel (nee: McAteer)

WETZEL - Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth (nee: McAteer) Our dear mother and grandmother, Margaret Wetzel (nee McAteer), passed away peacefully on Monday, September 20, 2010 at Parkland Terrace Nursing Home in Shellbrook. She was 91 years old. Mom was born October 6, 1918, into the home of Alec and Minnie McAteer, the fourth of their thirteen children! As a young girl she went to Three Creeks school and helped with the care of her younger brothers and sisters. As an older girl she worked as a housekeeper for families in the district. She married Dad, Harold Wetzel, on July 14, 1941 and they settled into a life of mixed farming 2 1/2 miles south of Shellbrook, later grain farming only. Mom was a talented, energetic and committed wife, partner, mother, cook, gardener, seamstress, homemaker and a lot more. Every year she grew a large vegetable garden, but also a large variety of flowers and a fruit orchard of two types of apples, raspberries, plums, red currants and rhubarb. A friend and helper to all, she was a stalwart member of the United Church Womens' Auxiliary, providing baked goods for events and working at harvest suppers. Her nature was upbeat and optimistic, and she often hummed as she worked. She enjoyed reading, a good cup of tea, and while her mother lived they chatted briefly on the phone every morning. She was a loving, humorous, caring mother to her two children, and provided a wonderful home environment for us. Mom was predeceased by her husband in 1994, and by five of her brothers and all six of her sisters. Bill (Ann) McAteer, Agnes (Donald) Dumond, John McAteer, August McAteer, Jessie (Lionel) Barkway, Peggy (Carl) Johnson, Ethel Schmitz, Bob McAteer, James (Cora) McAteer, Ellen (Ray) Funston and Doris Stephenson. She is survived by her daughter, Diana Casavant of Penticton, BC and her two children, Linda (Martyn) Sankey and Larry Polasek (Natasha), both of Penticton; and her son John (Gaylene) of Saskatoon and their two children, Tom and Kate, also three great grandchildren, three great, great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her brother, George Edward McAteer of Lake Cowichan, BC. The funeral for Margaret will be held at the Knox United Church in Shellbrook, SK on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 2:00PM with Rev. Dave Whalley as officiant. Interment will take place in the Shellbrook Cemetery following the service, and a luncheon to follow back in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or the Shellbrook & Districts Health Services Project.