Marie Alana Vetsch

Marie Alana (Petera) Vetsch went home with her Lord Jesus on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 8:25 a.m. She passed away from cancer.

Marie was born on July 15, 1941, in Wood, South Dakota, to parents Frank “Cap” Eugene Petera and Phyllis Eva (Draine) Petera.

The family moved to Wyoming in 1944 when Marie was three. They lived in a log cabin on Lytle Creek between Hulett, Wyoming and Devils Tower. Her father worked there on the Hart Sawmills.

Marie and family later moved to Sundance, Wyoming, where Marie attended school from kindergarten through third grade. In fourth grade, she and her brothers stayed with their Aunt Sylvia Draine in Wood at the teacherage at the country school they attended. Marie then went back to Sundance to continue her education and graduated there in 1969.

Marie was just in Sundance to celebrate her 60th high school reunion with her wonderful classmates this July. She so enjoyed her time there, participating in parades, class reunions and reminiscing with friends and classmates.

After high school, Marie was not one to stay still and loved to travel. She left for college and to see what the world had to offer. While in California, she met and married John W. Weber June 21, 1969. To that union, her son John C. Weber was born. The couple divorced in 1972.

Marie then met and married Jim Vetsch. They spent the remainder of their lives together in Spokane, Washington.

The couple traveled extensively, often taking family members with them. Marie was a gypsy at heart and loved any time she was traveling, exploring, seeing family, attending family reunions far and wide and always living life to the fullest.

Her spirit of fun, kindness and adventure was contagious, and it made those around her immediately love her. She made many friends everywhere she went during her 78 years of life. She and Jim had a wonderful 40 years together before he passed away last year.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband James “Jim” Vetsch; her parents, Frank “Cap” and Phyllis Petera; her sister, Patsy; her three brothers, Francis “Pete” Petera, Jack Petera and Lyle Robert “Bob” Petera; her aunt Sylvia Draine; her uncles, Jack Draine and Glenn Draine; two nephews, Chuck Petera and Kelly Petera.

She leaves behind her son, John (Valerie) Weber, Sacramento, California; grandson, Andrew Weber; and so many numerous and dear family members on both sides of the families across this wonderful nation we could not mention them all, but hope they know how much family meant to her.