Anna "Marie" Wendzel

Anna "Marie" (VanDrasek) Wendzel, age 90, of Richland reached her heavenly home on March 25, 2022, with her family by her side. She was born in Watervliet, Michigan, on May 20, 1931, the daughter of Adolph "Ake" and Marien (Yates) VanDrasek. Marie graduated from Watervliet High School with the class of 1949. As a wife, mother, and homemaker, she loving served her family with the joy of cooking, baking and creating a beautiful home. Marie was a resident of Richland for the last 70 years the Wendzel families owned Wendzel Homes.

On June 16, 1951, Marie married the "love of her life" Douglas Eugene Wendzel; he sadly preceded her in death on December 7, 1997; whom she devoted her time caring for him after an accident in 1973. She is survived by her children, David (Dawn) Wendzel of Richland, Steven (Cindy) Wendzel of Ithaca MI, and Kathryn (Brett) Pittelkow of White Cloud MI.; her grandchildren Jason (Corie) Wendzel, Justin (Kelly) Wendzel, Jared (Ashleigh) Wendzel, Kevin (Katie) Wendzel, Maggie (Jeff) Henry , Aaron (Dana) Wendzel, Jessica (Zack) Schneider, Kelly Pittelkow, and Lesli (Mike) Johnson; her great-grandchildren Lily, Tessa, Faith, Coleman, Brekan, Leyton, Jehnsen, Noel, Ben, Emma, Josiah, Caden, Skylynn, Lily, and Riley; her brother Gordon (Sandra) VanDrasek, sister Delores Miller, sister-in-law Marcia VanDrasek, brother-in-law Tom (Carol) Wendzel and several nieces and nephews. Marie was also preceded in death by her brother John "Jack" VanDrasek, her sister Norma (Lawrence "Bud") Hastings, brother-in-law Maurice Miller, brother-in-law Robert (Karen) Wendzel, and baby sister Marilyn.

Before marriage Marie worked on the family's fruit farm in Watervliet and at the local drug store. During their married years Marie helped in the strawberry fields, enjoyed gardening, golfing, cross stitching, and together they enjoyed playing cards and spending time with their grandchildren. After her husband's death she worked at Gull Meadow Farms for many years. Doug and Marie were members of Gracespring Bible Church and she became more active in the church, volunteering whenever she could after Doug's passing.

The Wendzel family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, March 29, at 10:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. The service will be Live-Streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/692586299.
Memorial contributions in Anna Marie's honor may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators (Formerly Hospice Care of Southwest MI).