Zelma Mae Wehrle

Zelma Mae Wehrle, 90, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2019 with family by her side at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 P.M. with honors by the VFW Post 5901 Auxiliary. Interment Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. The family would like to invite friends and family to VFW Post 5901 following interment for refreshments and conversation. Zelma was born Monday, December 31, 1928 at Lindsay, Nebraska, the daughter of Charles O. and Anna M. (Henning) Hanna. The family later moved to Newman Grove, Nebraska where Zelma graduated high school with the class of 1946. Following graduation, Zelma worked for Southwestern Bell in Newman Grove and was their youngest operator for several years. On November 27, 1949, she was united in marriage at Newman Grove to Joseph J. Wehrle of Madison, Nebraska. They made their home in Madison where Joe worked as a bricklayer with his father and uncles. Following the birth of their two children they moved to Osawatomie, Kansas briefly before settling in Ottawa in 1959. Zelma was a homemaker, babysitter and very active in the community. She served as a leader with Bluebirds and Campfire Girls, Cub Scout Den Mother, participated with the PTA, and served as a local block mother with civil defense. She and her husband Joe were proud members of the Ottawa VFW Post 5901. Zelma joined the VFW Ladies Auxiliary October 1, 1968. She was a dedicated member who served in many positions including secretary, president and chaplain before stepping down in 2006. She loved to work crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She also liked to embroider and play bingo, but most of all she liked to read. Zelma enjoyed dancing, especially the polka. She was always ready for a visit with friends, and no matter the time, would have a pot of coffee on. Zelma was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on September 18, 1987; her parents; sister Zetta Mae (Hanna) Claussen; half-sister Helen (Everetts) Andstant; and half-brother Albert J. Everetts. She is survived by her daughter Debra Calahan and husband Bob; son Edward Wehrle and wife Teresa; granddaughter Tiffani Majors and husband Dwight; grandson Joseph Wehrle and husband Larry Haldeman; and 7 great grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to VFW Post 5901 Auxiliary or Crossroads Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067 Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Zelma’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com