Wentzel, Sheryl (Mrs. Alan) 1947-2021

WENTZEL, ERICSON

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/8/2021 at 19:47:32

The family of Sheryl Ann Wetzel (nee Ericson) is saddened to announce that she passed away unexpectedly of COVID-19 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas, on Labor Day, Monday, September 6, 2021. Despite being fully vaccinated, she tragically contracted a breakthrough case of coronavirus. Born in Hawarden, Iowa, on March 28, 1947, she was 74 years old.

Predeceased by her parents, Derwood and Ramona Ericson of Alcester, South Dakota, Sheryl is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Stuart Alan Wetzel (90) and their devoted son, Timothy Eric Wetzel (43), both currently of Dallas, Texas. Tim was with her when she died, holding her hand, and Alan was with her via video feed from his hospital room, where he is recovering from COVID. Like Sheryl, Alan and Tim were fully vaccinated earlier this year.

Sheryl is also lovingly remembered by her stepchildren and their spouses, Rick and Mary Kelly Wetzel (Greensboro, NC), Kathryn Robyn and Barbaría Maria (Belfast, ME), and Rob and Tricia Wetzel (St. Louis, MO); step-grandchildren, Caitlin and Eric Andersen,Charlotte, SC), Emily and Jordan Smith (Los Angeles, CA), Will Wetzel and Luke Wetzel (St. Louis, MO); her brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Julie Ericson (Johnston, IA); as well as hundreds of friends and cousins across the country. A doting wife, mother and grandmother, she was known for always being “up on what was trending” and in daily contact by text with whatever was happening in their lives. She will be deeply missed.

Growing up on a farm near Alcester, SD, and Hawarden, IA, Sheryl attended Petry School, a one-room country school, through the eighth grade in rural Alcester and graduated in 1965 from West Sioux High School in Hawarden. After studying at the University of South Dakota, Sheryl became a flight attendant for St. Louis–based Ozark Air Lines. She worked for the airline for several years until she met her husband Alan, marrying him on September 25, 1971. Sheryl became an instant stepmother to his three teenagers. Tim was born six years later and she threw herself into motherhood with a passion. Sheryl was an active member of the PTA in Tim’s schools until graduation and his number-one fan in his decades-long career as a television news reporter. As the millennium turned, Sheryl and Alan retired to Florida for nearly twenty years, until 2019 when they followed Tim to Texas and moved to Ventana, a luxury senior facility in Dallas, just two months before the pandemic shutdown. Never too far from the funny bone, the humor of moving into shut-in status was not lost on her. She expressed it in her gratitude and relief for the care and attention they received at the height of the pandemic and during the Texas ice storm last winter, joking she would never move anywhere else but Heaven.

A memorial service will be held at Ventana, where she was beloved by staff and residents alike, at a later date to be announced once Alan is released from the hospital. Interment will follow at Big Springs Cemetery in rural Alcester, SD, at a date to be announced.

Condolences may be offered at www.Sparkman-Hillcrest.com for the Wetzel family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to encourage everyone to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to take the advised precautions of wearing masks, social distancing and washing your hands after you’ve been out in public. While the vaccine does not fully prevent COVID, it does reduce the spread of the illness. By getting vaccinated and staying up-to-date with booster shots, you can do your part to help protect those who are elderly or have weakened immune systems, like Sheryl.