Marie K. Wettstein

Marie K. Wettstein, 97, of La Crosse, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015, at the Bethany-Riverside Nursing Facility.
She was born on August 13, 1918, at her family home on St. Joseph Ridge to Joseph and Mary (Kaiser) Schumacher. On February 8, 1937, Marie married Howard R. Wettstein at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on St. Joseph Ridge. Together, she and Howard founded Wettstein’s in 1951.
Marie was a terrific cook and a wonderful homemaker who enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She was affectionately known as “Squeezy Grandma” by her grandchildren whom she adored. In her free time, she enjoyed flower arranging and was a member of the La Crosse Garden Club. Marie also loved to travel, and she and Howard traveled extensively throughout the country and around the world during their married life.
Marie is survived by her children: Ralph (Ruth) Wettstein of La Crosse, John (Ferrell) Wettstein of La Crosse, Mary Lou (Jim) Markos of Onalaska, Rose (Dennis) Mihalovic of Holmen, Dan (Gerianne) Wettstein of La Crosse, Linda (Dick) Barbour of La Crosse, and Jim (Rose) Wettstein of Onalaska; a daughter-in-law, Leola Wettstein of Madison; twenty-five grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Beach of Ft. Atkinson, Wis.; a brother, John (Bernadette) Schumacher of La Crosse; sisters-in-law, Rosemary Stalsberg of La Crosse and Gladys Everson of Rockland, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, on November 14, 1993; an infant daughter, Joan Marie; a son, Howard, Jr.; infant grandsons, James and John Markos; an infant great-grandson, Landon; brothers, Alois and Joseph “Bud” Schumacher; and one sister, Betty Hottinger.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 5th, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd. So., La Crosse. Rev. Billy Dodge will officiate. Entombment will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Marie’s memory to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Marie’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Eagle Crest North and at The Lighthouse at Bethany Riverside for the wonderful care they extended to her.