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Classmate Mary Jane Swanson Wendel passed away June 3, 2026.  She lived her life dedicated to her Family and was always available to them for any of their needs.  Correspondence may be sent to her family at 3662 FM 961 Rd., Wharton, TX.  77488.

Obituary for Mary Jane Swanson Wendel

Mary Jane Swanson Wendel, 75, of Wharton passed away on June 3, 2026. She was born on December 13, 1950 in El Campo, Texas to the late Beth (Steele) and F.D. Swanson, Jr.
Mary Jane met her future husband and love of her life, Chris Wendel, in 1966. They dated through high school graduating in 1969 and were married on May 1, 1971 in El Campo. They were blessed with the birth of three daughters and nine grandchildren. 1st daughter is Tracy Elizabeth (Wendel) Braden (Cory). They have three children - Cullen Latham Braden, Casen Michael Braden, Halle Jane Braden. 2nd daughter is Sarah Katheryn (Wendel) Severson (Judson). They have three children - Kinsey Elisabeth Severson, Logan Michael Severson, Kylie Cameron Severson. 3rd daughter is Christy Virginia (Wendel) Freeman (Billy). They have three children - Ty William Freeman, Molly Beth Freeman, Joey Christopher Freeman.
She devoted her life to being a wife and homemaker and raising her three girls. She made every holiday and family get together special. Mary Jane loved spending time with the girls “Swanson 6-Pack” playing dominoes, working puzzles, tending to her perfectly manicured yard and cooking. She was always up for a quick trip to Lake Charles with her sister and daughters to donate to the economy. She found great joy in her grandchildren and watching them in their activities where she was a “momma bear” if someone gave any unwarranted (or warranted) criticism of them. Mary Jane “Poo Doo” was retired from a lifetime of keeping her husband Chris on the straight & narrow!
Mary Jane is survived by her loving husband of 55 years Chris, their Daughters: Tracy Braden (Cory) and their children Cullen, Casen, Halle; Sarah Severson (Jud) and their children Kinsey, Logan, Kylie; Christy Freeman (Billy) and two of their children Joey, Molly. Her sister (and best friend) Jill Swanson Thigpen, brother Jack Swanson (Becky), sister-in-law Susan (Wendel) Waters (Wayne), brother-in-law Andy Wendel and numerous cousins, nieces & nephews.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents, brother Robert Stacy Swanson, and Grandson Ty William Freeman.
Visitation will be 5 pm to 7 pm, Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Triska Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m, Monday, June 8, 2026, at Triska Funeral Home with Deacon Larry Hoelscher officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Cullen Braden, Casen Braden, Logan Severson, Joey Freeman, Sean Amestoy and Robert Swanson. Honorary pallbearers will be Halle Braden, Kinsey Severson, Kylie Severson, Molly Freeman and Spencer Thigpen.
Memorial donations in memory of Mary Jane may be made to the El Campo Elks Lodge Scholarship Fund - PO Box 287, El Campo, TX 77437.