Peter L. Wettstein

Peter L. Wettstein, 73, of Fond du Lac, died peacefully Friday, January 24, 2025, at Hospice Home of Hope. Peter lived with Parkinson’s for more than 16 years, and throughout his illness exemplified the definition of perseverance, courage and acceptance. His trademark positive attitude and capacity for humor and fun meant Pete was determined to enjoy life and maximize its possibilities.

Pete was born on March 6, 1951, in Fond du Lac, the son of Leo and Lois (Monroe) Wettstein and the much loved younger brother of Steve and Gail. He was a 1969 graduate of St. Mary’s Springs and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts with an emphasis in broadcasting and film.

Peter married Joan Wendels, the love of his life, at St. Louis Catholic Church on November 27, 1982. Theirs has been the closest of partnerships, with their togetherness including ten years spent side by side working in real estate. Both would say they welcomed the chance to enjoy even more time together. Pete’s life was enriched by his close ties and supportive relationship with Joan’s family. In 2003 Joan and Pete became stand-in parents for her youngest sister Mary Ellen’s children Ellie, Jesse, Meagan and Jacob, upon Mary Ellen’s untimely death, and were proud to later become Grandma Joan and Grandpa Pete.

Pete’s long career in finance and banking began as a lending officer at Community Savings & Loan Association, a firm founded by his grandfather Michael Wettstein Sr. in 1927 as the Fond du Lac Building & Loan. Dedicated to his work, Pete took seriously his commitment to treating each customer with respect and consideration during this most personal and important transaction of financing a home. 

He was proud to continue the legacy established by his grandfather and carried on by his father and uncles to make home ownership a reality for many in the Fond du Lac community who may not have thought it possible. If you’ve seen “It’s A Wonderful Life,” you get the idea. It was one of Pete’s favorite movies, and he recognized the parallels between the culture of the fictional Bailey’s Building and Loan and his family’s business.

The same devotion to his work characterized the time he spent at the end of his career as a loan originator at American Bank of Fond du Lac. In one busy year, Pete completed work on more than 400 home loans, putting in long hours of overtime on evenings and weekends to complete the details and make sure his clients received the best interest rate possible. He retired from American Bank in 2015.

Between his jobs in finance, Peter worked as a realtor and co-owner of Hometown Realty for 10 years. He also worked as a real estate appraiser. 

He was a member of the Fond du Lac Morning Kiwanis Club and the board of the ARC of Fond du Lac, served a term as president of the Board of Realtors, and participated as an Ambassador with the Fond du Lac Area Association of Commerce. After receiving a deep brain stimulation implant to combat his Parkinson’s some years ago, Pete met with others considering the surgery to hear their concerns and share his experience.

To call Pete a sports enthusiast would be an understatement. He loved the Badgers, Brewers and Packers. He pitched Little League ball, served as the sports editor of the high school newspaper, and seriously considered pursuing sports broadcasting after college. He lettered in basketball and golf at the Springs, and was a member of the football team through his sophomore year. His passion for, and knowledge of sports was huge, and anyone who knew him knew it was a pleasure to watch sports with him – one family member called it an “educational opportunity.” His greatest hits list included trips to the Rose Bowl, Masters Tournament, Superbowl and U.S. Open. Especially prized was a photo of himself with Hank Aaron, his biggest hero.

 A great conversationalist interested in a wide variety of subjects, Pete loved movies of all kinds and could cite chapter and verse on almost any film he had ever seen. A history buff, he was pleased to have had the opportunity to travel abroad to visit historical places. He relished playing cards and games, and even went to Chicago for consideration as a contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” It was a cruel twist of fate that the voice of someone so engaged by conversation was severely compromised in recent years by his illness.

 Peter will be remembered fondly as a dear and loyal family member, friend and colleague by the many who were privileged to share those bonds with him. As his condition worsened in the last couple years, classmates and longtime friends made it a priority to come and visit him, some traveling great distances. He will be missed as a man of kindness and courage.

Survivors include his wife Joan, mother-in-law Mary Wendels, brothers-in-law Joseph (Mary Jo) Wendels, Greg Hupfer, Tom (Judy) Reader, and James (JoAnn) Wendels, and sisters-in-law Judy Strozeski, Beth Wendels, and Ann Reader (Linda), many special nieces and nephews, and grandchildren MaryElla, Sage, Jackson, Jasper, Ethan and Dylan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Steve Wettstein and sister Gail Hupfer, father-in-law Ralph Wendels, brother-in-law John Wendels, sisters-in-law Ann Hupfer, Mary Ellen Wendels, and niece Meagan Klapperich.

Special thanks to the Hospice Home of Hope and SSM St. Agnes Hospital for their compassionate care, and to Michael Sergi for his loving assistance, care and kindness, above and beyond, over many years.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home. Feel free to wear red for Pete’s beloved Badgers. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Holy Family Church, 271 4th St. Way, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Visitation will also take place on Thursday at the church from 11:00 AM until the time of Mass. Cremation will follow the service. Interment will take place at a later date at Calvary Cemetery.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com

“Remember no man is a failure who has friends.” 

-Clarence the Angel, "It's a Wonderful Life."