Class of 1928

Marie Lydia (Ziesch) Wetzel

February 19, 1909 – October 14, 1977

Mrs. Marie Lydia Wetzel, 68, retired Kay County schoolteacher, died early Friday in Highland nursing center, Ponca City, following a lengthy illness.

Born February 19, 1909, at Newton, Kan., she was the daughter of Sigmund and Lydia (Bergstrasser) Ziesch. She moved with her family as a girl to Perry, where she attended school. She graduated from Oklahoma A&M College, now Oklahoma State University, at Stillwater. Following graduation, she taught school at Perry.

She was married here to Vernon Wetzel on Aug. 15, 1948. They resided in Ponca City and Mrs. Wetzel taught in Kay County schools until retiring in 1973. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Ponca City.

Survivors include her husband of the home on route 4, Ponca City; one brother, Carl Ziesch of Milwaukee, Wis.; and four sisters, Frieda Ziesch, Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Agnes Hiatt and Mrs. Emily Pett, both of Garden Grove, Calif., and Mrs. Esther Hinrichs, Temple City, Calif.

Mrs. Wetzel was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.

Funeral services were at 2:30 p.m. Monday in First Lutheran Church, Ponca City, with the Rev. Marvin Henschell, pastor, officiating. Burial was at Odd Fellow cemetery in Ponca City. A memorial has been established in Mrs. Wetzel’s name at First Lutheran Church and contributions may be made through the church office.