NEWTON—Ethel Elizabeth Wetschensky, 101, died Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, at Kansas Christian Home in Newton.
She was born on July 8, 1919, in Chicago, the daughter of Edward Everett and Elizabeth Berg Bruner. The family moved to Newton when Ethel was a child, where she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Newton High School.
After high school, Ethel lived in Victorville, Calif. She had her own horse and rode in horse shows; she also worked in a photography studio and did some modeling. Ethel got to work a summer at the Grand Canyon and rode a mule down it.
When she moved back to Kansas, she married Harold Martin Wetschensky on May 2, 1949, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton. They adopted two children, Martin and Mary.
They lived on a farm, where Ethel loved being able to have dogs and cats. She took in all kinds of animals that didn’t have homes and would find homes for them, before the humane society was available.
Her love for animals and photography continued for many years. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Through the years, Ethel worked at The Chuck House Restaurant, Graves Drug Store, Horn’s Hallmark Shop and later Wilson’s Drug Store before retiring. After retiring, Ethel and Harold spent time enjoying the mountains around Pinetop, Ariz.
Ethel also had a pen pal in France for 12 years, whom she thoroughly enjoyed hearing from.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Collier of Newton; two grandchildren, Michael Wetschensky and Shawn Wetschensky; and three great-grandchildren, Keaton, Lakin and Haley Wetschensky.
Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold, on Oct. 12, 2014; son, Martin Edward Wetschensky; son-in-law, Tom Collier; sister, Rosella Widowsky; and brothers, Edward and Bertrun Bruner.
The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., both at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newton. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Newton.
The casket was open from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. It was requested those attending the viewing and service to follow proper social distancing guidelines.
A memorial has been established with the Kansas Christian Home, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Caring Hands Humane Society. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS, 67114.
Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.
