Mary Evelyn Wieland

Mary Evelyn (Soto) Wieland, was born on September 2, 1933 in Apache, Oklahoma and passed into the arms of Jesus on August 28, 2020 at home in Fresno, Ca surrounded by her children. Her parents were Frumencio and Teresa (Bastardo) Soto. As a family, along with other relatives, they left Oklahoma in 1936 escaping the Dust Bowl, making their home in Tulare, Ca. 2 years after the move, a sister, Rachel, was born to the family. At a young age, Mom was in charge of her little sister and making dinners for the family, while her parents were working in the fields. After attending Tulare schools and graduating from Tulare Union High School in 1952, she ventured to Oakland to live with her Aunt Connie, cooking and cleaning for them. She eventually got a job at Montgomery Wards in the accounting department. A blind date in November, 1953 would change her life forever. Norman Wieland, a Navy sailor from Princeville, Illinois, showed up at her door for a blind date (courtesy of his best friend, Tom). Mom thought that Tom and his girlfriend were joining them, but it was just Norman. She was a bit nervous about going somewhere with a man she had just met, but got in the car and went, keeping her hand on the car door handle, ready to jump just in case. They ended up at the Grand Ballroom in Oakland and danced all night, even though "he didn't really know how to dance"...They had a good time anyway. After dating for 3 months, they got engaged, and married 4 months after that on June 27, 1954. They were married almost 60 years when Dad passed in 2014. They lived in the East Bay area for a few years, having 3 of their 5 children there. Theresa, Richard, and David were all born while living there. They moved to Fresno and Dad got a job at Hopper Steel. After moving to the country in Easton, 2 more babies (Corie and Bill) were born and the family was complete. Easton was home for 17 years, while Mom and Dad raised their family and fixed up their home. Country life was good for a family with 5 kids. Always something to do, trouble to get into, and chores to do. Mary worked at the IRS during this time, at the egg ranch next door, which provided lots and lots of eggs for this growing family. Dad and Mom purchased a "burger joint", which was called Wieland's Drive-In. This proved to be very stressful, and it was sold. A huge part of their story came about in these years in Easton when both became Christians and began taking their family to Butler Mennonite Church where so many lifelong friendships came into being. Mom and Dad both volunteered with children's programs and were very active in church life. After moving to Visalia in 1977 with the youngest 3 kids, Mom worked for 20 years at Josten's Yearbook. Their new church home became Neighborhood Church in Visalia for many years, adding to their long list of friends that they enjoyed and providing many more areas to serve. As a family, they enjoyed many camping trips with other families and on their own. Mom loved birds and had her own aviary in Visalia. They got involved with the Gideons while in Visalia, handing out Bibles. She loved to garden (for food AND for flowers). In general, she loved traveling and was quite the picture taker and documentor of EVERYTHING! She loved cooking and baking and was always trying new recipes that she had gathered. Reading and crocheting were also favorite hobbies of hers. In 2016, Mom moved to Fresno. While living there, she got involved with a women's widow group at The Bridge, and would meet for Bible studies, game days, visiting, and general fellowship. She finished her earthly days living with her son, Richard and wife, Laurie. At Richard and Laurie's, going to church together at Northpointe Community Church right in the living room became the habit, which happened every Sunday. Mary leaves behind daughter Theresa (Craig) Crockett, son Richard (Laurie) Wieland, son David (Stephanie) Wieland, daughter Corie (Bryan) Searcy, son Bill Wieland, 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, sister Rachel Borunda, brother in law Don (Tug) Paul, and sister in law Wilma Baughman, as well as many loved nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 2:30 pm at Salser & Dillard Funeral home in Visalia. A reception dinner will be held following at the home of Richard and Laurie. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mom's honor may be sent to: Hinds Hospice. Online at hindshospice.org Gideons International. Online at gideons.org/donate. Her family wishes to express gratitude and special thanks to her caregivers Patricia Cruz, Lydia Wyse, Maxine Chaney, and Joei Wieland, as well as Hinds Hospice for their unconditional caring and support in her last months.

Mary Evelyn Wieland

September 2, 1933 - August 28, 2020