BECHTEL, Mary Frances (Whalen) --- 1935-2012
WATERS, WHALEN, BECHTEL, SNELL, BLAKE, BOLSTAD, IMHOFF
Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 9/13/2012 at 15:49:46
Wednesday 8/22/2012 Waukon Standard newspaper
Mary Bechtel
Mary F. Bechtel, 77, of rural New Albin died suddenly but peacefully Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at her home. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin, with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Martin Funeral Home of Waukon handled the arrangements.
Mary Frances Bechtel was born January 4, 1935 in New Albin, the daughter of Peter and Frances (Waters) Whalen. She grew up in the New Albin area, graduated from New Albin High School, and attended vocational school in La Crosse, WI for secretarial and accounting training. She married Jerry Bechtel, who died in 1960. June 17, 1961 she married Thomas Harold Bechtel, Jerry’s brother, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Albin. Mary was a busy mother and homemaker, dedicating her life to those she loved. She was a life-long and active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a Life Member of VFW Auxiliary Post 5603 in New Albin where she currently was serving as chaplain, active in 4-H as an advisor and leader, and a member of the Homemakers neighborhood club. She took an active and vital interest in her community and was always looking for ways she could help people.
Mary enjoyed bargain shopping and raising her large garden, doing a lot of canning with her grandchildren. She was very proud of her 100% Irish heritage and truly enjoyed her trip to Ireland. Her favorite times were spent visiting and spending time with her family and many friends.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas; her children, John of North Dakota, Jerry of New Albin, Sue (Bob Harris) Snell of New Albin, Rose (Bill) Blake of Waukon, Jim (Crystle) of Caledonia, MN, Paula (Randy) Bolstad of DeSoto, WI and Joel (Tina) of Caledonia, MN; her former daughter-in-law, Crystal Bechtel of Eitzen, MN; 18 grandchildren, Luke, Kayla, Lee, Amber, Kody, Jade, Zachary, Karli, Madison, Thomas, Jordan, Samantha, Cassaundra, Krisstina, Sierra, Kaitlyn, Mitchell, and Kyle; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Edna) Whalen of New Albin and Dale (Virginia) Whalen of Baltimore, MD; and many special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jerry; her son, Tim; a sister, Rita Imhoff; and three brothers, Leo, Earl, and infant brother Merlin Whalen.
Her grandchildren served as casketbearers.
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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