Judy Wetzel does a lot of volunteer work on her own, for her church and for organizations.
She and her husband, Glenn Wille, who teaches at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, have been married 40 years and live in Shawano. They have three children — one is deceased, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Wetzel was born on a farm outside of Gresham and graduated from Gresham High School in 1951. She began working at Badger Breeders, now CRI. Then Wetzel decided she needed an education and became a registered nurse after attending St. Joseph School of Nursing. She began working at the Shawano hospital and then was an occupational health nurse for Appleton Papers and Allis Chalmers in Appleton. She worked at the Falk Company in Milwaukee before moving to California, where she worked in long-term rehabilitation facilities.
When she returned to Wisconsin, Wetzel developed the occupational health program at Allwin Mfg. in Green Bay. She retired in 1996, which gave her more free time to do more volunteering.
Q Where do you volunteer?
A “Right now, Shawano is trying to develop people who are willing to help people who have lost jobs so we don’t have a homeless situation.
“I volunteer at First Presbyterian Church. We are trying to start a treatment program for addiction in Shawano County. I am a member of the Shawano Woman’s Club.
“I started the domestic abuse program for Shawano County.”
Also, once a week Wetzel takes care of three children to help their single mother realize her goal of becoming a registered nurse.
Q What do you do to help?
A First Presbyterian Church: “I used to be in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner for shut-ins. I still help make stuff. On Wednesday we make what we can, potatoes and dressing. We package a cold box and a warm box for a full dinner. It is delivered between 11:30 and noon for some 90 people.
“I am on the funeral committee and missions. At the Nativity Walk I help answer questions, and we have goodies. Last year 540 people came to see the over 100 nativity sets. I was the point person at our church for the community dinners. We always feed around 100.”
Shawano Woman’s Club: “At Rhubarb Fest we sold plants and gave over $800 to the historical society.”
The treatment programs: ”It’s difficult to treat addiction because the body is craving it, but treatment is also successful. We want to have treatment available. We want to have an Oxford House, a halfway house where they can support one another.”
The homeless: ”In high school, there are 70 students who are homeless. They move around to different families who will open their homes. The basis is that families need income. There are jobs that are available.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “Because I care. When you talk about volunteering, people are paid to to their jobs, but there’s so much more that is needed. Volunteers are like frosting on the cake. I volunteer because I see a need.”
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