Albert Lea church mourning death of woman in Europe
Published 3:10 pm Wednesday, May 3, 2017
A woman who worshipped at an Albert Lea church was one of three Americans killed after an SUV collided with a truck Tuesday north of Prague in the Czech Republic.
Pam Wetzell of Cleveland was identified by Crossroads Church staff in Albert Lea as a victim of the crash. Wetzell and her husband, Tom, were members of the church. Pam Wetzell was involved with women’s ministry, and Tom Wetzell is on the church board.
Tom Wetzell was involved in the crash, but was not killed, said church receptionist Jackie Denow.
“She (Pam Wetzell) was just always extremely joyful,” Denow said. “Everything she did, she just completely lived for the Lord. She was a joy to be around.”
The Wetzells were with four other Americans traveling in the SUV when it collided with the truck.
According to multiple sources, Robert Morrison, a professor in the department of veterinary population medicine at the University of Minnesota; Deb Spronk of Pipestone; and Pam Wetzell were killed in the crash. A statement from the University of Minnesota states the group was traveling to a swine health management conference before the crash.
The release stated a man and a woman died immediately, while another woman died in the hospital and another was hospitalized in critical condition. Two people reportedly escaped the vehicle unharmed.
A post Tuesday night on Crossroad Church’s Facebook page paid homage to Pam Wetzell: “Pam’s contagious love for Jesus has no doubt impacted our church family greatly, and the way she loved those around her was such a sweet reflection of her heart and depth of love for the Lord. Pam is one-of-a-kind, and there was no one like her. Her obedience to the Lord’s calling on her life was met with great passion, attention to detail and care, and because of that, she is leaving behind an incredible legacy. Our lives are forever changed having known Pam, and though she is no longer with us, our joy is in knowing she is now in the arms of the King!”
Jeff Phelps, senior pastor, said Pam Wetzell led a women’s conference of about 150 people in April.
“Pam was a person with a lot of enthusiasm, passion, creativity,” he said. “She loved the Lord deeply, cared about others. She was very active in our church for many years.
“She just had a big impact in the community, our congregation.”