Marilynn Vetzel

This was an interactive display room of all sorts of fun sciency stuff within a storefront in the biggest mall in downtown Frankfurt. We took this picture because we thought Eric would get a kick out of Iron Man. Notice her socks with loafers, this was her signature look. I will bring that look back, mark my words. LOL.

This was the trip to Germany I stole time away from my family for back in October of 2019. Jacob was 5 and Oliver was 2 and a half, and I dumped the kids on my husband for an entire week to go see my Aunt Betsy, after she had been diagnosed with lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. I knew that would be the last time I would see Betsy, but what I did not know is that it would be the last time I would ever walk around a city with my mom. Not long after this trip, her back began to get so painful that she was no longer able to walk more than a few paces before sitting down. This was in Frankfurt, Germany, riding a trolley tour around town. We had complimentary bottles of a signature dry apple cider (an acquired taste, I must say) with pretzels. We were buzzing while being taken around town.

This was mom at her Oktoberfest celebrations at her house. This was the 2021 party, and (correct me if I'm wrong) the first one she did. She insisted on getting meat from Claus's Meat Market, listen to Oompa music, and enjoy German EVERYTHING. It was fun, tasty, and a tribute to the culture mom loved growing up as a kid in Frankfurt, Germany.

This was on a rainy day, on one of the days of the week I wasn't working, when I was still part time. I'd head down to Indy to bust my mom out of her doldrums and take her to a new restaurant. This restaurant was a very gay pride proud Irish pub, with a huge rainbow flag taking up an entire side of the building. They were blasting music mom would not have particularly chosen, but we just thought it was funny. She had the chicken parm and I had the shepherd's pie followed by a piece of peanut butter pie, which I insisted we share, but she ate only a taste. Hot tea was a must that day, as it was cold and dreary. We were seated right next to the window and looked out as it poured down on the cars, just thankful to be inside. I talked to her about anything and everything that was on my mind, work, kids, life, and she shared the same with me. This was less than a week before my dad, her ex husband, died, so I don't doubt that came up. Health, her cats, raccoons that broke into the house, family drama, how great Walmart delivery is...you name it we talked about it.

She loved her grandsons so much. Jacob, born in 2014, Oliver, born 2016, and Gabriel, born 2016. When I had Jacob she said to me "Andria, I don't know if I can help you much as a grandma because I've never had boys before!" Well, she was partially right. Despite their differences, Jacob and my mom were cut from the same cloth, and she got to enjoy knowing Jacob for the considerate, deep thinking person that he is.

Mom and her eldest grandson, Jacob at Beef and Boards to see Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." This was the first Saturday in December, 2022, with a special family activity to kick off the Christmas season. This began a new trend for the next year, where we all went to the Ringling Brothers' Circus at the Lucas Oil Stadium December of 2023. She enjoyed the theater and live performances and particularly enjoyed introducing her grandsons to some culture.

Mom on her amazing scooter at the infamous O'Hare Airport! She used that thing to get around the very long walks in the airport. She was so stubborn about getting it at first, but when she was on it, she loved the freedom she had regained. Her lower back made it so that she couldn't walk, but she didn't let that stop her.

This was Angela and Mom on the pool deck of the MSC Poesia. The cruise ship was our home away from home for 8 days. She loved peacefully looking out onto the ocean while enjoying a drink. She was 100% about having a quality life, over quantity. We will miss her, but we have amazing memories from it.

This is mom at Stonehenge in early May 2023. She took all three of us on a beautiful European cruise, as "Mom's Last Hurrah." It was an amazing trip. She felt strongly that we girls got the opportunity to experience other countries.