Pamela Wedel

Pamela Cay Wedel, 69 of Newton, KS passed away surrounded by family Saturday, December 23, 2017, in Newton from complications due to cancer.

Her family would like to thank the medical staff at Wesley Hospital and caregivers at Asbury Park in Newton, for their kind and compassionate friendship during the past few months.

Pam was born on July 14, 1948 to Jack and Carol Kirk who preceded her in death. She spent her childhood years in Wichita and McPherson.

Pam married Allen Wedel on June 8, 1974 and he survives of the home. She is survived by her sister Diana and (Alfred) Rodriguez of Newton and brother Tom and (Donna) Kirk of Wichita and a large extended family including many loving nieces and nephews. Allen and Pam have three children; Todd and (Adrianne) Wedel of Newton, Scott and (Crystal) Wedel of Sabetha, KS and Kim and (Tyler) Algrim of Hutchinson, KS. She loved and spoiled seven beautiful grandchildren who meant the world to her- Trek, Gavin, Scout, Connor, McKenzie, Gunnar and Max. They were her pride and joy.

Pam worked for and retired from Newton Public Schools after a long and successful career teaching elementary school. During her career she was recognized as Newton Woman of the Year for education. She recently worked at the school ETC center where she joked it was only to fund her grandma habits.

Pam can be best described as a woman who liked to stay active and make a difference in the lives of others. In the community she participated in Alpha Delta Kappa teaching sorority, was a docent and board member at Kauffman Museum, Relay for Life organizer and volunteered for numerous other organizations where a need was felt.

Scouting was important to Pam as all three of her children reached the highest rank of Boy and Girl Scouting. She could always be found helping her kids do their best. Later when Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 127 were formed she helped lead both units by being Committee Chairwoman for many years. She took great pride in the success of the scouts in both organizations and was full of joy whenever awarding an Eagle Scout rank.

Her church, Trinity Heights United Methodist holds a special place in her heart. Trinity Heights was foremost in Pam’s life as she took on active rolls in United Methodist Women, teaching youth Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and prayer shawl knitting. You could always find her handing out extra special gifts during the annual Trunk or Treat celebration. She especially enjoyed participating in adult bell choir for nearly forty years and directing the youth bell choir. Many children were taught by Pam how to ring bells for the first time.
Her grandchildren were paramount to everything she did after their births. She often could be found shuttling grandkids back and forth to school, attending concerts and sporting events, going over the top with fun activities for school inservice days and buying more Christmas presents than a child could want seven times over. Her greatest joys were being able to have “grandma days”each Friday where she could spoil them and love on them like no one else could.

Pam’s visitation will be Thursday, December 28th with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Broadway Colonial Funeral home in Newton.

Her funeral service will be at 10:00 AM Friday, December 29th at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton with her friend and pastor Rev. Donna Voteau presiding. Internment at Greenwood Cemetery immediately following.

Memorials can be made out to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church for the bell choir programs and Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 127 so that these organizations can continue providing excellent programming in the future. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.