Mary Beth Wehrle

Mary Beth (Hutten) Wehrle, 76, passed away on January 14, 2020.  She was born in Sterling, IL on March 13, 1943 to James Norbert and Betty Louise (Lawton) Hutten.  She lived in Sterling, graduated from Sterling Newman H.S. and attended NIU until she moved to Rockford where she met husband, Richard.  They would go on to have three children, Beth Ann, James Richard, and Andrew Christopher.

When she came to Rockford, she worked at the Children's Home of Rockford and what is now the Barbara Olson Center of Hope.  When she started, Rockford's only support for the developmentally disabled was from the dedication of isolated voluntary parent groups, and the demand for such assistance far outweighed available resources.  She was instrumental in the creation of the School of Hope and worked there for nearly three decades, before eventually retiring.

She always found time to volunteer, working year round at numerous craft fairs and the like to generate extra money for the Center of Hope, often times paying out of her own pocket to make sure the needs of the clients were met.  Her selfless attitude inspired those around her.

Throughout her life she enjoyed crafts of all kinds, gardening, music, and travel.  She and Richard traveled throughout Europe, as well as cruises including Central and South America and The Greek Isles.  She took yearly trips to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to visit her brother Steve and we all have many fond memories of family vacations to Door County, Wisconsin.

She is survived by her husband, Richard; children, Beth Ann, James and Andrew; brothers, Steve, Bill and Tom Hutten; sister, Peggy Hutten; sisters-in-law, Emma Joy Jampole and Rise Barker; brothers-in-law, Peter (Carol) and Tim (Peggy) Wehrle; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Her grandchildren, Taylor, Chandler, Ashton, Payton, Rissa and Tessa and great-grandson, Hunter, were the light of her life and she was affectionately known as "Nana".

A memorial service will be held in the chapel at Peterson Meadows, 6401 Newburg Rd., Rockford, on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 1:00-4:00pm.  All are encouraged to attend to share stories and memories.  Food and refreshments will be served.  In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Rock River Valley Food Pantry or Center of Hope.  Thank you for your love and support.  

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