RITA J. WETZEL

Rita was one of 12 children who grew up on a farm in Alpena, Michigan. At a young age, Rita realized that the difficulties and labors of working a farm were not for her. After graduating from Alpena Catholic Central in 1953, she set out for life in the big city of Ann Arbor, where she worked for Michigan Bell. She recalled arriving in Ann Arbor by bus and being astounded by the tall buildings! In 1957, she married her soulmate, William Wetzel, who preceded her in death. Together they raised three sons and founded Protomatic, a business they operated together for 41 years in Dexter, Michigan.

Rita loved her lifestyle with Bill living on Halfmoon Lake. Sharing many of the same interests, they water-skied into their 70s, enjoyed boating, cross country skiing, hiking the Potawatomi Trail, and entertaining family and friends. Thanks to her caregivers, Rita was able to enjoy lake living, her beloved surroundings and friends at Glenbrook Beach Association until one week before she passed away.

While she considered herself a career woman at heart, she found time to enjoy traveling, vintage car activities with her husband, attending charitable events, gardening, and membership at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Pinckney where she sang in the choir and served as a Eucharistic minister.

Rita is survived by her three sons, David (Kathy) Wetzel, Douglas (Pam) Wetzel, and Daryl (Toni) Wetzel. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Jacia, Joseph, Jacob, Janet, Jillian, Emily, Austin, Alexa, and Alivia Wetzel, six great-grandchildren, numerous devoted nieces and nephews, brothers Louis (Clara) and Raymond (Michelle), sister, Mary (Stanley) Brandenburg, sister-in-law, Carol Wetzel, brother-in-law, Norman (Sally) Wetzel, and sisters-in-law Maxine and Georgina Donajkowski. Rita was predeceased by brothers Clements, Leonard, Robert and David, and sisters Martha, Rosie, Virginia and Barbara.

Mass of Christian Burial will be prayed on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Pinckney. Visitation will be held at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or St. Mary Catholic Church in Pinckney. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.