Loretta May (Kammerzel) Wells

Loretta May Wells of Pendleton, Oregon, passed away peacefully at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Washington on September 26, 2024, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. She beat the cancer, but was not able survive the side effects of the treatments. She was 73 years old.

Loretta was born on January 8, 1951, in Enid, Oklahoma, to her parents John Henry Kammerzell and Betty Jean Maret. She was the second of six children in her family, three girls & three boys. She spent her early years on the farm in Watonga where her parents ran a small dairy. Loretta spent many hours pumping water to fill the trough for the cows with a hand pump, picking cotton and helping her mother with the younger children. She enjoyed running in the fields with her dog and going to town with her grandpa to get ice cream! The family moved to Hermiston, OR in the late 50s, to be closer to her mother’s parents, the late Leo and May Maret. Loretta attended schools in Watonga and Hermiston.

Loretta met her husband, Randy, at Rollie’s Roller Rink in Hermiston in the fall of 1967. They were married on March 8th, 1968, at Randy’s aunt’s home near Hermiston the age of 17 & 19. They were married for over 56 years. They have two daughters together, Michaelle LeeAnn & Tamie Lyn. Loretta spent most of her life as a homemaker taking care of her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and always so happy to be with her family on any occasion. Randy and Loretta moved to Pendleton in September of 1968 and have made their home here since. In 2000 Loretta was diagnosed with breast cancer and beat it after a long battle, with several surgeries and 18 chemotherapy treatments. After her husband retired in 2001, they traveled extensively throughout the US to visit family and see many National Parks, etc. They joined the local chapter of the Good Sam Club and spent many years enjoying RV campouts with their friends. She enjoyed fundraising for her favorite charity, Kick’n Cancer of Pendleton by collecting cans and bottles, and managing a parking lot during Roundup. She enjoyed attending the Cancer Survivors Luncheons at St. Anthony Hospital, working in her gardens, raising vegetables and flowers, baking, cooking for family and making many dishes for potlucks.

She is survived by her husband, Randy M. Wells, at the home. Two daughters; Michaelle (Don) Hall of Casper, WY:  Tamie (Justin) Voelker, Spokane Valley, WA.  Four grandchildren, Tristan Hall, Felicity (Stephen) Hall, Taylor (Josh Doll) Voelker and Gage Voelker. Two great grandchildren, Loretta Hall & Clementine Hall. Four siblings, George (Tina) Kammerzell, Tom Kammerzell, Patsy Sanborn and Henryetta Huntley. Sisters in law, Minnie Kammerzell, Terri (Gene) Wisdom, Connie (Rick) Kemp; Aunts, Patricia Maret and Anna Marie Smith and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, too numerous to list.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Betty Kammerzell; her grandparents, Charlie & Anna Kammerzell of Watonga OK, and Leo & May Maret of Hermiston, her brother Johnny Lee Kammerzell of Hitchcock OK; her uncles, Bill Maret and Connie Maret: cousins, Larry Maret and Colleen Maret; her bro-in-law, John Sanborn and her nephew, Steven Sanborn.

Loretta loved her family & friends dearly and everyone loved her. She will be missed by all who were honored to know her. Rest in Peace dear lady, we will see you again in the great beyond. A celebration of life for Loretta will be held at Burns Mortuary of Pendleton, 336 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton, Oregon on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Grave side service after at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton. A viewing will be on Thur., Oct. 3rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. A luncheon will be served after the graveside service at the VFW Hall, 1221 SE Dorian Ave, basement area. All are invited to attend and share their thoughts, stories, laugh, cry and hugs with each other and her family.