July 13, 1973, “Friday the 13th”, was day of joy for Bob and Phyllis Raymond as that was the day that they welcomed their first daughter, Maria, into this world. Born at the Indian Health Services Hospital in Wagner, South Dakota, Maria was beautiful from the moment they laid eyes on her.
Two years later the family moved to the Black Hills, settling in Spearfish. Maria completed her elementary and high school years in Spearfish, graduating from Spearfish High School. At Spearfish High, she competed in basketball, track and volleyball and was most successful in volleyball where she was selected to the “All- Conference Team her senior year. Her success gave her the offer of a volleyball scholarship from the University of Mary in Bismarck North Dakota. At Mary, as in high school, Maria made many lifelong friends and continued to communicate with her friends via Facebook.
She graduated from Mary with a BA in Social Work and moved to Rapid City South Dakota. In Rapid City she worked at with young parents and children in a program called Project Takoja (children, grandchildren). Later Maria moved to Helena Montana to be closer to her parents and sisters. It was in Helena that Maria met her husband Scott Wetzel. They married in Las Vegas in 1999 and their first child, Robert, was born the following year. Scott and Maria also parented Scott’s older son, Jacob. Maria and Scott loved the Montana outdoors with special affection for the Blackfeet holy ground, Glacier Park. Scott died unexpectantly in 2013 and Maria assumed full parenting responsibility of the boys with help from her parents and sisters, Charlene and Jennifer. Later Maria gave birth to another son, Jayden, and her precious daughter Evylianna or Evy.
After fighting multiple health problems for several months, Maria’s heart got tired and she died peacefully with her parents and niece Christa at her side.
Maria is survived by her parents, Bob and Phyllis Raymond of Helena, sisters Charlene of Helena, Jennifer of Belle Fourche South Dakota, special cousins Lisa from Omaha Nebraska and Tonia from Rapid City. Her sons Robert and Jayden, daughter Evy, stepson Jacob Wetzel and many relatives from South Dakota, Wisconsin, California and Florida and a special Aunt Wanda of Parmelee South Dakota and friend Jesse Lopez from Helena. She was preceded in death by her husband Scott, grandparents Clarence and Rena Smith of South Dakota and Jack and Ruth Raymond of Wisconsin. A close cousin Todd also died before her.
Services are scheduled at Retz Funeral Home of Helena at 4 pm Friday December 2, with Deacon Bob Fishman officiating. This will be followed by native ceremonies including special songs from her cousin Lee Smith of the Rosebud Reservation. Viewing will continue after. A reception will follow at the Helena Indian Alliance, 501 Euclid Ave. The food is a special gift of the staff at Bryant School. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Maria.
Service Schedule
Funeral Liturgy
4:00 p.m.
Friday December 2, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the service
Friday December 2, 2016
Helena Indian Alliance
501 Euclid Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
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Kim Jensen says
My thoughts are prayers are with all of Maria’s loved ones. She was a special soul and a true friend to me. Much love in this difficult time!
Teresa Peterson says
Maria had the sweetest soul! She never knew a stranger and was always kind! Prayers to all of you!
Brandy Andrew says
I new this peace maker and gentle soul. She always offered kindness and and friendly smile to me. I pray for her and hope that her family left here in the flesh will be graced with understanding and strength.
Beckie Friesenhahn says
What a beautiful story and tribute to my cousin Maria’s life. I will always remember how exciting it was when you would all visit Wisconsin from South Dakota when we were kids. We always loved to see our cousins from so far away. I’m so happy that I was able to see most of you over the last few years and to see Maria just this past May. I send my love and strength to all of you. God Bless. Beckie
Yvette Scherer says
What a wonderful tribute to Maria’s life. RIP my cousin, sending love prayers and hugs to all of her family.
Love, Yvette
Ronda Davis says
Im saddened to hear of this…..scott was my cousin and my sons good friend. I send prayers and strength to all the children
Julia Vincent says
I am so sorry to learn of her passing. My condolences to her family.
Cienna says
she was like a mom to me she was caring and loving she was one of the best people to have in your life love you auntie.