John Peter Martin Wetten

John Peter Martin Wetten passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at his home in Milwaukie, OR. He was 94 years old. There will not be a formal memorial service.

John was born October 30, 1930 in Aruba, Netherland West Indies to Peter and Denyse Gillieron Wetten. Peter Wetten was born in Trins, Switzerland and was an electrical engineer trained in Spain in the 1920’s. Denyse was born in Biere, Switzerland. Peter ended up going to Aruba in 1927-28 to work in the oil refinery for the international company composed of Royal Dutch Shell and Standard Oil of New Jersey, the largest oil refinery at that time. In 1929, Peter went back to Switzerland to marry Denyse and they returned to Aruba to start their family.  John and his siblings (Madeleine, Oliver, and Monique) grew up in Aruba until immigrating in 1940 to Cleveland, OH. Peter had difficulty getting the engineering job he was qualified for in Cleveland. After 3 years, he saw an ad from the Henry J. Kaiser Company which was building a giant shipyard at Swan Island, OR and needing employees. Once Peter secured a job, he sent for Denyse and the kids to move to Oregon in 1943. 

The family settled in Gladstone, OR and John attended Gladstone Elementary School until 1944. John graduated from Oregon City High School in 1948. Being small but quick, his classmates nicknamed him “Wheaties”. John worked at Larson’s Nursery in Oak Grove after high school graduation and enrolled at Oregon State College in Corvallis January 1949, initially in the School of Agriculture, but changed to Elementary Education completing a joint program between OSC and Western Oregon graduating in 1954. Originally hired to teach 5th grade in Oregon City, John was called up to serve in the Army from 1954-56, stationed in Rochefort, France. John applied for early discharge to begin teaching 5th grade at Gladstone Elementary School Sept. 1956.  

John met Marilee Vail from Portland, OR through his sister Monique, both of whom played on the Oswego Mermaids softball team. John and Marilee were married July 6, 1968 and built a home on 20 acres in rural Oregon City. Marilee was also an educator, teaching secretarial skills at Rex Putnam HS, primarily typing and short hand. On their small farm, John was able to continue his love of gardening and raising livestock, mainly Suffolk sheep, chickens and the occasional cow or pig. Known for his green thumb, John constantly shared the bounty from their farm - frequently bringing zinnias, tomatoes, squash, plums, peaches, pears, apples and even home made apple cider to share with teachers, neighbors and friends.  

John and Marilee raised their girls, Michele and Susanne, on this farm located in unincorporated Oregon City and sending them to Canby Union High School. They enjoyed supporting the girls’ sports teams, often traveling to away games and out of state softball tournaments. John and Marilee enjoyed square dancing with their local Squaws and Paws club. The family enjoyed spending summers at their beach house in Rockaway, OR, traveling to Hawaii and visiting historic sites and extended family on the west and east coasts. Upon John’s retirement in 1992, John and Marilee took advantage of multiple Rick Steves’ and elder hostel guided trips and cruises around the world including Russia, Japan, China, Europe and the Caribbean.

John spent his entire teaching career with the Gladstone community, eventually becoming the school principal in 1968. He was known for having a unique collection of shells, carvings, plants and various fossils decorating his desk and office to share with students. He cherished the years he spent as an educator, working with amazing educators and families, and enjoyed exposing children with field trips to the farm and the beach to study the tide pools. He’d been known to take orphaned (bummer) lambs to the elementary school during lambing season, giving students the opportunity to feed them. Always full of school spirit, John was an eager participated in spirit dress up days, sports events and celebrations. His calm, patient demeanor was an asset, and he encouraged the love of learning and sense of wonder.  John retired in 1992 after 36 years and the impact he made within the local community was recognized when the elementary school was renamed John Wetten Elementary School. After retirement, John continued to support the school by volunteering regularly to read and teach wood burning on cutting boards. 

In 2016 John and Marilee decided to downsize from the farm and move to Rose Villa Senior Living community where they thrived with various activities, became a part of the community and spent their final years together. John continued his love of gardening at Rose Villa and shared his harvest with residents and staff, often placing flowers or tomatoes on hallway ledges and mail cubbies. John became an avid water volleyball player, playing 3 times a week up until his 94th birthday. He was involved with the welcoming committee at Rose Villa, connecting move ins with current residents. He was widely known throughout Rose Villa, always willing to visit and interested in everyone story, background, careers and families and  became a familiar face to all. 

John lived and long and full life, cherished his family, friends and career, and savored the many memories created over his 94 years. John was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Denyse Wetten, his brother Oliver Wetten (Toledo, OR) and sister Monique Wetten (Silverton, OR)  He is survived by his sister, Madeleine Wetten (Silver Spring, MD) Marilee, his wife of 56 years, his daughters Michele Wetten Ackerman and son in law Douglas Ackerman (Lake Oswego, OR) and Susanne Wetten Hirte and son in law Darin Hirte (Tigard, OR), and his adored grandchildren, Will and Emily Ackerman. 

Donations in John’s memory can be made to:

John Wetten Elementary School (checks payable to Gladstone School District) 

250 E. Exeter St, Gladstone, OR 97027 

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - Pacific NW  lls.org 

Alzheimer’s Association alz.org  

Rose Villa Foundation rosevilla.org/foundation

The Nature Conservancy nature.org 

Oregon Dog Rescue oregondogrescue.org 

Oregon Friends of Shelter Animals ofosa.org