Jane Wedel

May 26, 1931 ~ March 8, 2017

March 10, 2017

Jane Wedel passed away on March 8, 2017, at Kootenai Health in Coeur’d Alene from complications following a stroke. She reached the age of 85 years. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Mountain View Mennonite Church in Bonners Ferry, with interment in the Mountain View Mennonite Cemetery. Jane Wedell Wedel was born on May 26, 1931, at home to Isaac B. and Lydia Hoeppner Wedell in Winton, California. Mom’s childhood was spent in Winton. Although her family was poor and she wore clothes from Salvation Army, she enjoyed her growing up years with her six siblings. She learned to work hard, helping support her family in her teen years. Mom completed 12 years of school, graduating from Livingston High School in 1949. She was a studious person taking a short-hand and typing course which benefited her throughout her life. She continued to enjoy the challenge of learning. Mom gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, on January 8, 1945. She remained faithful to her vows all her life. Mom met dad in 1951 when he went to California to work. She married her life’s companion, Harold Wedel, on November 27, 1952. They shared the joys and sorrows of life for over 64 years. Five sons were born to this union. Dad moved mom to Bonners Ferry after they were married. They made their home and reared their sons in the Kootenai Valley of northern Idaho. Mom was resourceful and not afraid to tackle whatever tasks she set out to do. She had an interest in dad’s vocation as a carpenter and put her heart into being his bookkeeper. She continued to keep a keen interest in the business, often asking us about our work. As her children married, she loved and accepted each of the in-laws as her own. Generous and flexible, mom was a true example of living a life of giving. She would express her desire to be there for her family when they needed her. Mom had a strong faith in God and was concerned about the salvation of her children and grandchildren. She faithfully ended each day with devotional reading and prayer, also recording the events of the day in her journal. She loved gardening, with a special interest in roses. Mom took time to read the newspaper and cut out many clippings. Pictures and mementos were collected throughout her life for scrapbooks. She enjoyed doing puzzles, quilting and crocheting rugs with her friends. After we children left home, our parents volunteered to serve in California as house parents. Mom again enjoyed a house full of boys. Being no stranger to hard work, she willingly and cheerfully met the needs of the household. They often shared their memories of unit life. Mom and dad enjoyed traveling together. Their trips to the Holy Land and Brazil were special times. A special event was our family reunion less than two years ago. Her children and grandchildren were precious to her and her fun loving nature leave us with many cherished memories. Those left behind are her loving husband, Harold, sons Kurt and Doreen, Russell Springs, Kentucky, Randal and Leanna, Denton and Carolyn, Cecil and Lisa, and Ivan and Marla, all of Bonners Ferry, 17 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, sister Erma Unruh, Sharon Springs, Kansas, brother Leroy and Phyllis Wedell, Bonners Ferry, sisters-in-law Mary Wedell, Auburn, California, Lois Johnson, Loretta and Edwin Dyck, and brother-in-law DeWayne Wedel, all of Bonners Ferry. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, two brothers, two sisters, one brother-in-law, and one sister-in-law.