Larue Wetzel

Larue Lane Wetzel, 88, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2014 with her family by her side.
Larue was born on her fathers birthday, November 24, 1925, in Carrizozo, NM to Allen and Lillian Lane, his second wife. Allens first wife, Laura died in 1920 in the influenza epidemic. Before marrying Allen, Lillian was a school teacher in Bonito, NM which is now underwater and known as Bonito Lake. Allen was the manager of Wild Cat Leasing Co. gold mines in White Oaks. Allen and his partners also started Alto Power and Light, the first electric company in Lincoln County. Allen died in 1931. Larue was the granddaughter of the first doctor in White Oaks, Dr. Alexander Lane. She spent her early childhood in White Oaks, attended the White Oaks School. Lillians health was failing, so she moved her family to California where several years later, Larue met the love of her life, Charles Chuck Wetzel. They were married in San Diego in 1953. Chuck and Larue lived in El Paso for several years. One day Chuck came in and said that El Paso was no place to raise five sons, so in 1967 they moved back to Larues beloved home of White Oaks. Following in her mothers footsteps, Larue taught Home Economics and Kindergarten for the Carrizozo Schools. Larue said when she stalled teaching the grandchildren of her first students, it was time to quit. After 20 years she retired from teaching.

Larue was preceded in death by her husband Chuck, owner of Wetzel Feed Store who was tragically killed in a truck accident in 1973 her parents, Allen and Lillian Lane her infant brothers Allen and Paul her sister Sara Lee Wetzel, who married Chucks brother her half brother Edwards Lane half sisters Allene and Vivian, who was affectionately known as Baby Doll.

Larue is survived by five sons, Walter Lori of Carrizozo Bryan Judy of Las Cruces Paul Twylla of Ruidoso Charlie Wayne of White Oaks, Robert Becky of Amarillo 8 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be Saturday, July 19th at 10:00 in the morning at the Cedarvale Cemetery in White Oaks, NM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Albuquerque Christian Childrens Home, 5700 Winter Haven Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87120 or to the New Mexico Christian Childrens Home, 1356 NM 236, Portales,NM 88130.