A memorial service for Charles W. Wetzeler, age 97, of Spirit Lake, will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa at 11:30 AM. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the church. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Spirit Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Charles may be given to American Legion Timpe Post 23, Iowa Great Lakes Shrine Club, or the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church.
Charles passed away Saturday, March 1, 2025, at his home in Spirit Lake, surrounded by family.
Charles (Chuck) William Wetzeler was born on July 9, 1927, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of Herbert and Yetta (Cheely) Wetzeler. He had one younger sister, Mary Ellen. He grew up in Akron, Iowa, and graduated from Akron High School in 1945. Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve which began on June 5, 1945. He served as Yeoman Third Class until discharge on August 6, 1946. On November 8, 1950, he received a commission as Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. On August 1, 1946, he enrolled at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with a degree in Business on June 1, 1950. In college, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and participated for three years on the USD baseball team.
On July 9, 1949, Charles and Elsie Mae (Larsen) were married at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron, Iowa. His first employment right after graduation was at The First Trust and Savings Bank in Remsen, Iowa. During his 5 years at this bank, he advanced to Assistant Cashier and their first daughter Carol Lyn was born, followed by a son, James Herbert, both in Le Mars, Iowa. Employment changed in 1955 to The Commercial Trust and Savings Bank in Storm Lake, Iowa, as Cashier. It was in Storm Lake that daughter Judith Kay was born. In 1963, the family moved to Frankfort, Illinois, for a position as Executive Vice President of the Frankfort State Bank. While in Frankfort, a son, William Christian, was born in Joliet, Illinois. A final move in 1964 was made to Spirit Lake, Iowa, where Charles was employed at The State Bank in Spirit Lake and Terril as Executive Vice President, then in 1984 became President, Chairman of the Board, and Owner.
Charles had been a Methodist Church member for over 80 years. He was a member of The United Methodist Church board and Chairman for two years. He had over 55 years membership in Spirit Lake Kiwanis, American Legion, Masonic Lodge Spirit Lake Consistory, Abu Bekr Temple Sioux City, and Iowa Great Lakes Shrine Club. Charles was also an avid Spirit Lake High School Track Timer, Little League baseball coach, served on the Spirit Lake Park Board, and Spirit Lake Centennial Treasurer. In 2021, Charles and Elsie were presented with the Spirit Lake Kiwanis Citizen of the Years award.
He was very proud of the fact that his father, H.H. Wetzeler, had National Currency with his signature as Cashier of The First National Bank in Akron, Iowa, several of which are on display at the Higgins Museum of National Bank Notes in Okoboji and at The State Bank.
Charles loved Volkswagens, riding his bike, watching his grandsons play baseball, gardening, yard work, coin collecting, and studying the bond and stock markets. He was a beautiful piano player and played until very recently.
Charles was most known for walking to and from work at The State Bank. He spent even more time in his office working weekends, before, and after business hours. Three generations of family were employed at the same time because of Charles’ dedication and hard work. He still came into the Bank daily until he was 96.
Charles is survived by his daughters, Carol (Wetzeler) Schultz, Judith (Wetzeler) Nece and husband James, son William (Bill) Wetzeler and wife Kristin, all of Spirit Lake, and daughter-in-law, Catherine (Cathy) of Boone, IA. Also, eight grandchildren: Angela (Wetzeler) Steuer and husband Matthew, Jennifer (Wetzeler) Schmidt and husband Michael, Robert Wetzeler and wife Allison, Brian Wetzeler, Stephanie (Schultz) Reicks and husband Graig, Andrew Schultz and wife Rebecca, Nicholas Wetzeler and wife Katelyn, Benjamin Wetzeler, and eleven great-grandchildren: William, Jacob and Elizabeth Steuer, Greyson, Violet and Samuel Schmidt, foster great grandson Ja’Voni Jackson, Camden and Cayler Reicks, and Cooper, Charles R., and Grace Wetzeler.
He was preceded in his death by his wife, Elsie Mae Wetzeler; son, James Wetzeler; son-in-law, Lloyd Schultz; parents, Herbert and Yetta Wetzeler Olson; stepfather. Clifford Olson; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ellen and James Olson; in-laws, Otto and Ruth Larsen, June (Larsen) and Joseph Belshe, Cyril and Dottie Larsen, Elaine (Larsen) and John Dierup.
Turner Jenness Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
