Sandra Eileen Wilson, 11 Jul 1938 - 01 Mar 2017

WILSON, METTLER, CRESS, GARTNER, PETRAK, SMITH, WHETSTINE, EXLEY, VASQUEZ, EPPERSON, HOUSTON

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/24/2017 at 16:10:48

Sandra E. Mettler Wilson
1938 - 2017

Sandra Eileen Mettler was born July 11, 1938, in Monticello, Iowa, the daughter of Alfred and Naomi [Miller]Mettler.

In 1954, she saw a young man cruising down the streets of Monticello in a snazzy new Ford Mainline. “Drive it or park it!” she yelled. The two sparked up a conversation, and before long, they had set up a date. His name was Louis Wilson, and she told him her name was Corky, before later revealing the truth. Despite starting with a white lie, that relationship would be sealed in marriage that November — and that marriage would last going on 63 years.

Their first child was born within a year, and four more would follow. Sandra kept herself busy raising (and cleaning up after) a houseful of kids. She never worked outside the home, except for a two-week stint as a school lunch lady.

She spent her days cooking, praying, and watching her favorite TV shows (among them: Gunsmoke, Golden Girls, General Hospital). Her children still remember coming home to the smell of her cinnamon rolls in the oven. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and winning big on her scratch tickets. She loved nothing more than spending time with her children – and, later, her nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Sandra died surrounded by her loving family on March 1, 2017.

Left to cherish her memory are husband: Louis Wilson; brothers: Bob (Georgina), Jim (Pat), and Doug (Vicky) Mettler; children: Christe Cress, Matthew Wilson, Peggy Gartner, Patti (Steph) Petrak, and Ann (Jay) Smith; grandchildren Angela (Clint) Whetstine, Chad (Lisa) Wilson, Ryan Wilson, Mickey (Amber) Petrak, Jackie (Liz) Petrak, Sarah (Ian) Exley, Katie (Craig) Vasquez, Cassie (Luke) and Jake Smith.

She was preceded in death by parents Alfred and Naomi Mettler; brother Kenneth Mettler; and sisters Kathleen Epperson and Joyce Houston.

She was dearly loved and will be forever missed.

A visitation will take place 4:00–6:30pm on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at Highland Ridge Senior Living, 100 Village View Circle, Williamsburg, IA 52361. A funeral mass will take place at 10:30 am on Monday, March 6, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 210 11th St. Wellman, IA 52356. Memorials, if desired, may be directed to the family.

The Kalona News, Mar 9, 2017
The Gazette 04 Mar 2017 9a [abbreviated]

[maiden name per Sandra's sister Emma's obituary]