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Donald "Gene" Wedel © Fairview Funeral Home Inc. Submitted by: Jo Aguirre
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Donald "Gene" Wedel
September 2, 1945 - May 18, 2024
Funeral Services for Donald "Gene" Wedel, 78, of Meno, Oklahoma, will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday. May 22, 2024 at the New Hopedale Mennonite Church in Meno, Oklahoma. The Reverend James Suderman will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Hopedale Cemetery next to church. Arrangements are by Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at the New Hopedale Mennonite Church in Meno from 6 to 8:00 p.m.
Donald "Gene" Wedel passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024.
Gene was the fourth out of six children born to Irvin and Hilda Wedel. He was born on September 2, 1945 in Major County, Oklahoma at the family home southwest of Ringwood. Gene went to school at Oakdale, Cimarron Valley, and graduated from Ringwood High School in 1963. His favorite subject in school was math, and boy was he good at it. He could add rows of numbers in his head quicker than the teacher! After high school he went to work at Meno Co-op, retiring 35 years later. While managing the Co-op, he was heavily involved in getting the Meno Ampride established. After his retirement at age 55, he went to work with his brother Jerry as a carpenter. He also volunteered as a driver at the MARC Center in Ringwood. He sure loved to drive the little ladies around!
He served his country in the National Guard for six years, and then his community as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years. Gene always wanted to help others. He was baptized in 1981 at the New Hopedale Mennonite Church in Meno and was actively involved throughout the years as a trustee, the church board chairman, the church treasurer, and adult Sunday school teacher. He was famously known as a master dough roller making bierocks for many years.
Gene married Bessie Pearson in 1967 and with this union their three kids Lugenia "Gena", Andy, and Randy were born. Some years later he met Doris Kampstra and her two kids, Michelle and Michael, and married in April of 1982 renewing their vows in August of 1984 creating a blended family of seven.
Gene worked hard alongside his family in the cotton fields, hoeing watermelons, and driving the tractor. While he didn't have much growing up, Gene always knew how to have a good time and make the most of things. Although we mourn his loss, we are relieved that the chains of Parkinson's and dementia no longer bind him. Gene also faced many other trials in his life including dealing with colon and prostate cancer and having a brain tumor removed. He was one strong man! His favorite thing in life was being the world's best "Papa Gene". We will miss his quick wit and one lined sayings and comebacks.
He is preceded in death by his parents Irvin and Hilda Wedel, his daughter Gena Haffner, and his brothers Glenn and Bill.
He is survived by his wife Doris (Dori) Wedel of Meno; his children Andy Wedel and wife Linda of Ringwood; Randy Wedel and wife Adrienne of Bethany; Michelle Ratzlaff and husband Brent of Meno; Michael Kampstra and wife Michelle of San Antonio; his grandchildren Ryan Haffner and wife Aubrey; Brock Haffner and wife Shelbi; Courtney Miller and husband Michael; Kacie Wedel; Kenzie and Todd Wedel; Emma and Sadie Ratzlaff; Ethan Ratzlaff and wife Kaylee; Kate and Maddie Kampstra; six great-grandkids; his brother JayDee Wedel and wife Doris; Jerry Wedel; sister Darlene Holub and husband Verland; sister-in-law Donna Wedel, brother-in-law Vinnie Smith and wife Julie; sister-in-law Cheryl Hessler and husband Jim; and several nieces and nephews.
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