Margaret Wetter

Click here to watch Margaret’s funeral service.

Margaret Fern Wetter, of Des Moines, Iowa peacefully ran out of fuel on Wednesday, December 1st (12-1-21) at the age of 101. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Dunlap United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Lanesboro Cemetery, near Lake City, Iowa.

Margaret was born February 28, 1920 to James Arthur and Leeta (Calhoon) Rannells on a farm near Dunlap, Iowa. She graduated from Simpson College in 1942 with a degree in lower elementary education and taught in Seymour, Glenwood and Marcus, Iowa. Margaret was married on August 18, 1946 to Donald M. Wetter. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Mary Circle and her local PEO chapter. Growing up, she participated in 4H club and Rural Youth Group. Margaret enjoyed gardening (indoor and outdoor), traveling (49 of the 50 states), reading, knitting, playing cards, exchanging hand-written letters with family, and listening to music, especially country music. She will be lovingly remembered for hugs that won’t let go.

Margaret is survived by her daughter-in-law, Donna (Wetter) Simmer; grandson, Jeff Wetter, and friend Jia; granddaughter, Sarah Patton (Kenny); sister-in-law, Polly Rannells; step daughters, Marylyn Gillespie and Sheila (Denny) Moulds; two step grandsons; five step granddaughters; 15 step great grandchildren and 24 step great great grandchildren.

Margaret is now celebrating the grand reunion of her parents, James Arthur “Poppy” and Leeta; husband Donald Wetter; son, Steven Wetter, infant son, Jon, and daughter, Jean; sisters, Ruth Roberts-Heller (Art) and Eula Jean Roberts (Frank); brothers, Francis Rannells (Estella), and Richard Rannells; niece, Sandra Rannells; step grandson, Dan Moulds, and step granddaughter Kristen Williams.