Mary Elizabeth Close

In memory of MARY ELIZABETH CLOSE

We bid farewell to Mary Elizabeth (Wefel) Close, who went home to her Lord and Savior June 24, 2025. She resided in Colorado Springs since 1969. Mary passed from this life residing at the "The Retreat" memory care facility.

In 1950 she graduated from Patrick Henry High School in Minnesota and was an accomplished baton/flag twirler in the high school marching band.

She was the daughter of Reverend John W. Wefel and Gladys L. (DeBoer) Wefel. Mary was the eldest of sixteen children and she had five half-siblings.

In 1951, Mary and Jack Close married in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin and they started his military career by crossing an ocean to Austria/Italy, behind the Iron Curtain. Mary continued her life journey with her soul mate, Jack and they enjoyed 67 years together.

In 1960 they were stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. She developed a passion for Alaska so much so, she drove the Alcan highway both directions five times (a total of 10 trips).

She had many interests, including reading, travel, nature, cooking, photography, ceramics, bowling, camping, fishing, rock-hounding. She became a Girl Scout leader for twelve years. And later ran her own day-care business, including special needs children. She loved dancing the polka.

In 2005, Kimberly, British Columbia hosted the largest accordion ensemble ever assembled with 644 players, and she participated. This event was part of the "Kimberly International Old-Time Accordion Championship". She loved accordion music so much that in 2008, she participated in attempting to break the "Guiness World Book of Records" for the most participants playing at one time, in Denver, Colorado. This was hosted by the Rocky Mountain Accordian Society.

She leaves behind three daughters: Sheryl Lambert, Barbara Nynas, and Linda Parker, all from Colorado; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Mary also has three surviving sisters and one brother: Shirley (Dave) Myers, Virginia Wichman, Janet Bendickson, and David (Carol) Wefel, all from Minnesota.

Mary will be forever remembered and missed by all family and friends.

The Celebration of Life will be held at Swan Law Mortuary Chapel at 10am on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. A burial and committal of the body will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery.