Barbara Wetzel August 31, 1932 - June 24, 2024

Barbara Elizabeth Wetzel

entered eternal life in Saint Louis, Missouri, on Monday, June 24, 2024, the Feast of St. John the Baptist. She was born on August 31, 1932, in St. Louis, the seventh of eight children of John and Ottilia (Stockmann) Wetzel. She was raised, in part, by a beloved aunt and uncle, Catherine (Stockmann) and John Smith. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, and by her seven brothers and sisters: Mary Ruhland, Martha Matoushek, John Wetzel, Florita Ficker, Paul Wetzel, Eugene Wetzel, and Therese Mager. Also preceding her in death were her brothers-in-law, Erwin Ruhland, John Matoushek, Harold Ficker, and Charles Mager; and her sisters-in-law Lillian (Gregory) Wetzel, Betty (Mayhew) Wetzel; and Mary Ann (Winterer) Wetzel. Barbara is survived by her sister-in-law, Mary Ann Chibnall Wetzel, and many dear nieces and nephews and their children.

Barbara entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1951, and served as a teacher and principal in elementary schools in Colorado, Missouri, and Wisconsin. She left the order in 1971 and continued her teaching career, which spanned some 33 years. She continued to live, work and volunteer at St. Anthony Parish in Niagara, Wisconsin, until returning to St. Louis in 2013. Thereafter, she lived in south St. Louis County, and regularly worshiped and volunteered at the Shrine of St. Joseph, and also at St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

Throughout her life devoted to service, Barbara volunteered with food pantries, retirement home ministries, prayer shawl ministry, choir, and church sacristy work, and regularly participated in Bible study and prayer groups. She also enjoyed reading, line dancing, and visiting with family and friends.

Services:  A Funeral Mass will be offered at the Shrine of Saint Joseph, 1220 N. 11th Street, St. Louis, on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 11:00 am. The Mass will be preceded by visitation at the church  beginning at 10:00 am. Barbara’s remains will be buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Affton, MO, near the graves of her parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to Maryhill Manor, 501 Madison Ave., Niagara, WI 54151, or the charity of your choice.