Mary Kathleen Wheeler

Mary Kathleen Wheeler (better known as Kathy) passed away peacefully at her home in Donna, Texas March 16, 2022. Kathy was born in Lansing, Michigan on April 12, 1929 to Ralph and Ethel (Martin) Ludden. She attended Eastern High School. She worked at the Roadhouse in St. Johns, and later for the State of Michigan. She spent most of her life living in St. Johns and Lansing, Michigan. She was a member of the Community of Christ Church in St. Johns, and later in McAllen, Texas. She had a beautiful singing voice, and often sang solos at church.

Kathy married Edward Wheeler on December 12, 1964. They enjoyed over 52 years of marriage until his death in 2017. In the mid-80’s Kathy left her job with the State of Michigan when she and Ed opened the Westside Deli in Frandor, which they owned and operated for several years.

Kathy and Ed enjoyed traveling, and their annual fishing trips to Canada. In the early 90’s they started wintering in Donna, Texas, and made a permanent move there in 2001. After moving, they still made annual trips to Michigan to visit family.

Kathy was an excellent cook and seamstress, and made many of her children’s clothing when they were young. She enjoyed gardening, and took particular pride in her roses. She was also proud of the fact that she was a blood donor for the Red Cross, donating a pint almost every time she was eligible, adding up to several gallons. She also enjoyed tutoring children at a school in Texas.

Kathy is survived by her children Laura (Randy) Schmidt, Maureen Parmenter, Daniel (Patti) Parmenter, and daughter-in-law Marjorie Decker, 9 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Carolyn Jackson, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband, sisters Doris Illig and Rosemary Britton, a brother, Allen Ludden, two sons, Timothy Decker and Robert Decker, three grandsons, a great-grandson, a son-in-law, David O’Dell, a niece and a nephew. As per her wishes, she has been cremated.