Martha Forbes Fischer Wetzel

Martha Forbes Fischer Wetzel (September 10, 1912) died peacefully of natural causes in the presence of family on Saturday, July 31, 2010. She will be remembered first as a loving mother of ten, grandmother of thirty-nine, great-grandmother of sixty-six and great-great-grandmother of six. She was of sound mind until the end, and communicated regularly with all, never forgetting a birthday or special occasion. In a letter to her children in 2007 she highlighted important events in her life; including, she was born September 10, 1912 in Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from the University of Wisconsin and married Frank J. Fischer, MD on June 18, 1934. She was left a war widow on September 21, 1944 with 4 children, ages 7 months to 9 years. She later met Robert H. Wetzel on December 24, 1945, married him on September 24, 1946 and had 6 children, with 5 still living. Robert died on May 23, 2005. She wrote, "I was blessed with two wonderful men and a happy life. That's my story."

Martha and her husband, Robert, operated Hillcrest Lodge in Babson Park for fifty years. She loved to read books of all kinds, writing and receiving letters and never lost her beautiful handwriting. Her home was filled with pictures and mementos of her many family members, she loved visitors, especially the little ones, and it seemed like the house was always full. Through the years she enjoyed spending the summer months at the family home on Lake Erie in Madison, Ohio. Martha was an active member of the Babson Park Women's Club, a charter member of the Lake Wales Chapter of the American Association of University Women, and an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She was a strong supporter of Lake Wales Literacy program and numerous other charitable organizations.

In addition to two loving husbands, she was predeceased by her brother, Jerome Forbes and son, William Forbes Wetzel. She is survived by her sister, Cordelia Kincaid Perry and her children, Frank J. Fischer, Jr. M.D. (Kathy), Elizabeth L. Sutter (Lloyd), Martha Cordelia Fedele (Jerry), Carol V. Ferguson (Carroll), Cova C. Jacobs (Ralph), Eleanor F. Wetzel, Robert H. Wetzel, Jr. M.D. (Bina), Mary M. Hoecker (Greg) and Jennifer L. Parrish.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Friday, August 06, 2010 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales with a rosary at 7:00 PM. The funeral service will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 07, 2010 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lake Wales with Father Mariano Catura officiating. Interment will follow at the Lake Wales Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Wetzel Scholarship Fund, c/o Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 644 South 9th Street, Lake Wales, FL 33853.

To view the webcast of her service, click the link below:
http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/154897