Donna G. Wessel
Donna Grace Wessel (nee Viertel), age 88, a long-time resident of Berlin, passed away Sunday, March 25, 2018, with her family by her side.
She was born January 24 (her father’s 32nd birthday), 1930, in Berlin, the daughter of Carl and Genevieve Knox Viertel. On June 19, 1953, she was united in marriage to Air Force Master Sergeant, Frederick David Wessel in Dennison, Texas. Donna was a 1949 graduate of Berlin High School, where she played trumpet in the band, was a cheerleader and Miss Berlin for her Senior Homecoming. She attended college in Milwaukee and became an x-ray and lab technician finishing a two year degree in one year. Donna worked at Berlin Memorial Hospital until her marriage, when she traveled the world with Fred living in Taiwan, France, Spain and all over the US. Upon his retirement they returned to live in Berlin. This past year, Donna went to live with her daughter and family in Los Alamos, NM.
Donna loved to crack hickory nuts and be outside, especially in her green pepper and vegetable gardens. She was an avid sports person, Green Bay Packers fan, a terrific bowler, poker player, cribbage player and apple pie maker. Donna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to all. She lived her life with honesty and integrity.
She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Paula (Dr. Mark) Wessel-Schmitt; grandchildren, Dr. Samantha (Dr. Mack) Schmitt-Brittelle and Dr. Matthew Schmitt; sister, Cynthia Viertel; brother-in-law, Joe Mastricola; nieces and nephews, Sara (Peter) Sobralski, Cynthia (Richard) Torn, Dawn (Al) Stang, Nancy (Don) Zietlow, Ann Davis, Steven (Jane) Thomas, Tim (Annette) Thomas, and Jim (Kristin) Mastricola; along with special neighbors, Jody, Curt, Zachary and Samantha Olson, George Byrnes, Dave Tisai, Cathy Keiner, and Dan (Kathy) Beier. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, on June 19, 2017 (their 64th wedding anniversary); her parents; siblings, Norman (LeMoyne) Viertel, Charlotte Mastricola, Gretchen (Ken) Thomas; and dogs, Freckles and Frosty.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m., at All Saints Catholic Parish, Father David Greenfield officiating. Inurnment will follow at Welsh Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin. We will dearly miss her singing, love, laughter and humor. Until we meet again, mom.
Online condolences may submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.