Wetzel, Dorothea Mae

Dorothea Mae Wetzel, 89, of Naperville, Ill., a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at the Tabor Hills Healthcare Center, Naperville. A private family graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her children, Richard (Susan) Wetzel of Phoenix, Ariz., Diane (David) Petersen of Naperville, and Wally (Cindy) Wetzel of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Denee (Kurt) Anderson and Drake Petersen of Naperville; and great-granddaughters, Ava, Ingrid and Linnea Anderson.

he is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews around the country.

Niece Judy Sykes (Jon) Ericksson of Somonauk, Ill., was especially attentive during Dorothea's final years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings (Jay Sykes, Pearl Hennessey and Bonnie Hoeschler).

Dorothea M. Sykes was born Aug. 1, 1923, in Akron, Iowa, the youngest daughter of John and Cora (Morey) Sykes. On July 22, 1945, she married Frank L. Wetzel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Frank, a decorated World War II flying officer and POW, died in 1992. Dorothea was a career homemaker and used her substantial baking and sewing talents to her advantage at the housewares department of Kubias Hardware Store for many years after raising her three children. She will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew her.

A memorial fund has been established in her name.

Online condolences may be left at under “obituaries.”

Published in The Gazette Aug. 28, 2012.