1925
Ethel
2015
Ethel Krekula Wood
November 23, 1925 — November 22, 2015
1925 - 2015
Devoted wife, loving mother, and gentle grandmother, Ethel Krekula Wood, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015, after a long battle with dementia. She passed gently with family members present and her brother's choir CD playing in the background.
Ethel was born November 23, 1925 to John and Matilda (Hoyhtya) Krekula in New York Mills, Minn. She was the fifth of 10 children. Her early years were spent on the family farm and attending New York Mills High School from which she graduated with honors in 1944.
Work and adventure called her to Washington D.C. where she worked for the FBI, National Geographic, and other business and governmental agencies. It was at this time she was able to follow her interests in theater and music productions in DC and New York. She moved with a friend to Colorado Springs to engage in government work. The Bureau of Public Roads transferred her to Page, Ariz. where she met Francis Otis Wood Jr., her husband of 44 years. Their wedding on November 22, 1958 was the first in the newly constructed Catholic Church in Kanab, Utah. The couple made the decision to move to Medford, Ore. in 1959 when Francis transferred from the Glenn Canyon Dam project to work with the Forest Service. They were blessed with sons whom they raised with great love and care.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Francis; her son, Mark William; her parents; her sisters, Elna, Vieno, and Julia; and her brothers, Edward, Maurice, Rueben, and Alva.
She is survived by her sons, Francis Otis (Cheryl) of Gladston, Ore. and Kevin Andrew of Medford, Ore.; her brother, David; her sister, Ramona; her grandchildren, Tony Reha, Melissa Duval, Sarah Pracna, and Mallory Van Abbema; 10 great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Ethel continued her interests in gardening, walking, and attending community concerts. She found renewed interest in life with her grandchildren and joy with her great-grandchildren. Ethel was a fierce cancer survivor. At the last, many health challenges were eased by dedicated caregivers.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Aqua Viva Christian Fellowship, 2005 Commerce Drive, Medford, Ore. with Jeff Newman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel Wood's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 West 6th Street, Medford, Ore. 97501 or to Alzheimer's Association, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, Ore. 97209.
Devoted wife, loving mother, and gentle grandmother, Ethel Krekula Wood, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015, after a long battle with dementia. She passed gently with family members present and her brother's choir CD playing in the background.
Ethel was born November 23, 1925 to John and Matilda (Hoyhtya) Krekula in New York Mills, Minn. She was the fifth of 10 children. Her early years were spent on the family farm and attending New York Mills High School from which she graduated with honors in 1944.
Work and adventure called her to Washington D.C. where she worked for the FBI, National Geographic, and other business and governmental agencies. It was at this time she was able to follow her interests in theater and music productions in DC and New York. She moved with a friend to Colorado Springs to engage in government work. The Bureau of Public Roads transferred her to Page, Ariz. where she met Francis Otis Wood Jr., her husband of 44 years. Their wedding on November 22, 1958 was the first in the newly constructed Catholic Church in Kanab, Utah. The couple made the decision to move to Medford, Ore. in 1959 when Francis transferred from the Glenn Canyon Dam project to work with the Forest Service. They were blessed with sons whom they raised with great love and care.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Francis; her son, Mark William; her parents; her sisters, Elna, Vieno, and Julia; and her brothers, Edward, Maurice, Rueben, and Alva.
She is survived by her sons, Francis Otis (Cheryl) of Gladston, Ore. and Kevin Andrew of Medford, Ore.; her brother, David; her sister, Ramona; her grandchildren, Tony Reha, Melissa Duval, Sarah Pracna, and Mallory Van Abbema; 10 great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Ethel continued her interests in gardening, walking, and attending community concerts. She found renewed interest in life with her grandchildren and joy with her great-grandchildren. Ethel was a fierce cancer survivor. At the last, many health challenges were eased by dedicated caregivers.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Aqua Viva Christian Fellowship, 2005 Commerce Drive, Medford, Ore. with Jeff Newman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ethel Wood's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 31 West 6th Street, Medford, Ore. 97501 or to Alzheimer's Association, 1650 NW Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, Ore. 97209.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ethel Krekula Wood, please visit our flower store.
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