Brenda Wetzel-Sage - 8/23/25

We gather this morning to mourn the death of Brenda Wetzel-Sage, but even as we do so, we also want to celebrate her life. The Bible offers us hope in the midst of grief as it reminds us that the end of this life is not the end of the story.

In John 11, Jesus said,

I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. (John 11:25a-26b, NLT)

This is the hope to which we cling today. If Brenda had faith in Jesus, then today she is more alive than she has ever been, and she has been delivered from the myriad ailments she dealt with for so long. So as we begin, let’s ask for the Lord’s help and comfort.

Our Heavenly Father, we gather today with a mix of emotions. We are sad to see Brenda’s earthly life come to an end, but we are also grateful to see her delivered from the suffering she had experienced for so long. Today we want to not only remember her death, but also her life, and the hope of the resurrection that Jesus offers to each of us. Please be present with us as we grieve today and grant us the comfort that you alone can give. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Brenda Louise Wetzel was born September 24, 1943 in rural Tennessee, Illinois, the daughter of Burdette Carson and Helen Marie (Fentem) Wetzel. Growing up, she lived in rural Tennessee, Plymouth, and Dallas City. She attended the Free Methodist Church in Dallas City and attended and graduated from Dallas City High School in 1961.

She worked in her father’s implement dealership and in various businesses, including a dress shop. She was also a Mary Kay representative for many years. She lived in Keokuk with the Sage family for many years and was eventually officially and legally adopted by their family. When she moved back to Carthage, she attended the First Baptist Church and helped with the after-school program there. She also was a member of the Hancock County Republican Women for several years. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed family gatherings, happy to lend a helping hand as she was able. She loved art and enjoyed painting and doing other forms of artwork herself as well as traveling.

She passed away on August 7, 2025 at Red Maple Memory Care in Carthage at the age of 81.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers: Wayne and David Wetzel.

She is survived by two brothers: Jim (Michelle) Wetzel of Stanley, ID and Byron (Kathy) Wetzel of Bellevue, ID; two sisters-in-law: Greta Wetzel of Nauvoo, and Claudia Wetzel of Keystone Heights, FL; and three sisters: Karel Carl of Carthage, Margery Campbell of Carthage, and Nancy (Robert) Lionberger of Niota; along with many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

SONG

Brenda Wetzel-Sage was a ball of fire. She enjoyed being around others and had a great love of her family and her community.

Growing up, she enjoyed participating in all the activities her hometown of Dallas City had to offer. She was a cheerleader for her high school and a baton-twirler for the band. She participated in the pageant at the Dallas City Summer Festival for several years and was once even awarded the Betty Crocker Homemaker of the Year award.

She and some of the older Wetzel children would help their dad put out all the colorful eggs for the big city Easter egg hunt. Since their dad owned an Allis Chalmers dealership, he hosted an annual tractor pulling contest just south of Dallas. Brenda and Marge were in charge of handing out the blue ribbons to the winners.

Until just recently, she continued to stay in touch with her classmates and enjoyed going to class reunions.

When they were kids, Brenda took on a somewhat motherly role with the other children. Nancy said she often took care of her and worked to make sure she was dressed appropriately. Byron said Brenda helped to persuade his vocabulary when he was younger…with a bar of soap.

Though she may have been a “mother hen” at times, the kids all also had fond memories of times hanging out together. Brenda and Marge had a paper route together. The older kids remembered going on boat rides with their dad on their boat called Nancy Oh. They can recall many nights dancing to the radio and playing together. When they were older, they would have sister slumber parties at their mom’s, and they would do Mary Kay makeovers together. Nancy recalled when they were younger singing the song “Tonight You Belong to Me” at the top of their lungs in their bedroom, completely oblivious that their parents’ bedroom was directly below theirs.

The kids remember spending many summers at the church camp in Rushville and have many memories of spending time at the old Free Methodist Church in Dallas City.

Brenda absolutely loved Elvis (as I’m told several of the Wetzel children did!) Marge remembers when she and Brenda were allowed to walk up town by themselves to go see Elvis’ movie Love Me Tender at the theater in town, for just 35 cents. They both felt so grown up being allowed to be out by themselves at night. Her love of Elvis is reflected in the song choices today, of course!

Brenda’s adopted family became a special part of her life as well, and many of the family have special memories celebrating holidays and birthdays at 711 Franklin Street in Keokuk.

Brenda loved to look nice and was keen to dress up wherever she went. She also enjoyed fancy cars. For a time, she drove a Mary Kay pink Cadillac (though she bought it used). She loved her dad’s Packard automobiles. She also had a sporty little car; a white MG. Byron remembered a time that he and Kathy got to take a ride in the car. He pointed out that it was a midget model MG, and he said not one of them was a midget! He compared them riding around in that thing to watching a clown car at the circus. But she loved that little car.

Brenda cared a great deal for her family and loved going to family reunions for as long as she was able. She was always happy to lend a helping hand and pitch in where she could.

Brenda sought to live life to the fullest and enjoyed collecting trinkets of all kinds. Though her health and her memory began to decline, she continued to be a vibrant person, someone who was sure to be a bright spot in your day.

SONG

It is because of Brenda’s vibrant personality that her absence will be felt so acutely. She was someone who would light up a room and would be happy to talk to and meet just about anyone. Brenda was a sweet woman, and she will be missed, but we have hope that though she has died, she will also live again.

Do not misunderstand me, I don’t believe that Brenda is in heaven today because she was a good person. None of us is a good person. Each of us have broken God’s laws and therefore stand guilty before Him, and Brenda is no exception. But I have confidence that Brenda understood the message of the gospel proclaimed in the Bible.

Jesus made it clear that while not one of us is righteous in our own right, He has made it possible for us to be forgiven and have eternal life, if we will simply trust in and follow Him. One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16, and it is well-known for good reason—it contains the glorious message of hope that Jesus offers!

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NLT)

This verse offers hope and comfort for us today as we grieve. Because if Brenda had faith in Christ to forgive her, then today she is more alive than she has ever been. Today she has been delivered not only from death, but also from sin, from the frailties and struggles of this world, and from a body that had begun to fail her. Today, she is experiencing life with Jesus; life the way it was intended to be lived.

And the good news extends to us as well. If you will place your trust in Christ, then you too can live even though you die. And one day, you will experience a glorious reunion with Brenda, and the many other believers who have gone before.

The challenge for us today is to take stock of Brenda’s life for ourselves, so that we may learn from her example. So, I’ve got a few suggestions of things we can learn from the life of Brenda Wetzel-Sage.

1. It is always appropriate to look your best and to put your best foot forward.

2. Family does not only have to be blood. When you love and care for someone, they become family too.

3. Sometimes it’s necessary to cut loose and sing at the top of your lungs—even if your parents are sleeping.

4. You should appreciate the blessings of where you live—and choose to participate in the life of your community.

5. Service to others is a valuable part of life—so be generous with your time and energy.

6. Finally, at the end of life, faith is all that ultimately matters. While it’s easy to dismiss issues of faith as unimportant or merely theoretical, when we face the death of a loved-one, we realize just how important it is. So make sure you decide where you stand with Jesus, because each of us will one day face death ourselves. Make sure you are ready, so that when your family mourns your death, they too can mourn with hope.

Will you pray with me?

Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of Brenda Wetzel-Sage. Thank you for the many fond memories we have of her and the impact she made on so many. But above all, Lord, we thank you that even though we grieve today, we can grieve with the hope of resurrection that is made possible through Jesus Christ alone. Surround this family with your comfort, your peace, and your grace as they walk the path of grief in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Help them, Lord, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.