Frances L Vetter

Frances Vetter, 89, of Sentinel, Oklahoma, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 11, 2025, in Odessa, Texas.

Frances was born on April 8, 1936, in Sentinel, Oklahoma, to Odis and Tressie Rozell McWhirter. She grew up helping on the family farm while attending school in Sentinel. Frances later enrolled in nursing school at the University of Oklahoma, completing two years before meeting Louis Vetter Jr. during one of his visits to the family farm. The two were married on January 6, 1956, in Sentinel.

Following their marriage, Frances and Louis lived in Munich, Germany, where Louis was stationed with the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. During their time overseas, they welcomed their son Randy and daughter Lou Ann. After returning to the United States, the family settled in El Paso, Texas, where their daughter Christy was born.

Frances had a deep and steady faith in God and delighted in sharing that faith with others. She was an active member of Skyline Baptist Church in El Paso from 1960 to 1998, where she taught Sunday school and participated in numerous church ministries.

In 1998, Frances and Louis moved to Odessa, Texas, to be closer to their family. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherished attending Bible study with her daughter-in-law and granddaughters and was an active part of the Emmaus Community.

Frances found joy in gathering her loved ones around the dinner table. She had a passion for conversation, loved a spirited debate, and had a special fondness for Christmas, shopping, crafting, and traveling.

Frances had a remarkable career in nursing. After returning from Germany, she worked as an unregistered nurse at Hotel Dieu Hospital in El Paso from 1960 to 1965. She later completed her nursing education, graduating as a registered nurse from the Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in 1971. She continued her work at Hotel Dieu until it closed and later completed her nursing career at Thomason General Hospital, retiring in 1998.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Odis and Tressie McWhirter; husband, Louis Vetter Jr.; and her sisters, Martha, Linda, and Cherie.

Frances is survived by her children, Randy Vetter and wife Becky of Odessa, TX, Lou Ann Warren and husband Jayre of Lawton, OK, Christy Tolman and husband Paul of Little Elm, TX; as well as 9 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Home Hospice of Odessa/Midland for their compassionate care.