Wanda Mazelle (Taylor) Ebel

Born January 24, 1942, in Flint, Michigan, she was the daughter of Marvin and Lena Grace Taylor. Growing up in a large family instilled in her a lifelong love of family, friends, and community. On February 29, 1964, she married the love of her life, Fred Ebel, and together they shared 56 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2020. After retiring from the City of Flint Water Department, Wanda and Fred began a new chapter in Florida, later spending several years in Tennessee before settling in Roscommon, Michigan. In 2021, she moved to East Lansing to live with her daughter, Barb, and son-in-law, Steve, where she spent her final years embraced by the love and care of family.

Faith was the foundation of Wanda's life. She faithfully served alongside Fred at St. John's Lutheran Church in Houghton Lake, where she hosted home Bible studies, cared for the altar, created banners for worship, and joyfully served wherever she was needed. During her final years, she worshipped at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett and treasured the fellowship of her church family. Wanda loved people and had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. Whether through a warm conversation, a shared meal, or a helping hand, she made others feel at home. She found joy in serving others, spoke her mind with refreshing honesty, and was genuine to the core—a quality that endeared her to those who knew and loved her.

Retirement gave Wanda more time to enjoy the things that brought her happiness, including painting, quilting, stained glass, jigsaw puzzles, camping, singing, dancing, and countless game nights with family and friends. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, collected teapots, loved a cup of hot tea with lemon, and never lost her lifelong sweet tooth—a trait her children proudly inherited. Above all, Wanda cherished every opportunity to spend time with the people she loved.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Ebel; her daughter, Bethany Martin; her parents; and her siblings, Gladys Jaworski, Mildred Mathews, Kenneth Taylor, Esther "Angie" McCarthy, Warren "Dennis" Taylor, Patricia Cole, Violet "Joann" Barnes, Genevieve "Be" McDermott, and Nancy Cosand. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara (Steven) Surtman of East Lansing; her son, Fred (Sara) Ebel of Fenton; grandchildren, Ashley, Jeffrey, Alexander (Chris), Zachary, and Allison (Samuel); her cherished great-grandson, Colter; her brother, Curtis Taylor; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, generous heart, genuine spirit, and the countless lives she touched through kindness, hospitality, and service.

A private family service will be held. Interment will be beside her beloved husband, Fred Ebel, at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wanda's memory to her current congregation, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Haslett, Michigan, or to her longtime former congregation, St. John Lutheran Church in Houghton Lake, Michigan.