Mark and Ginny Wetterau found comfort in the care of compassionate caregivers

Mark Wetterau Sr. believed in leaving things better than he found them. After a lifetime of volunteering and giving back, he passed away peacefully at home last year at the age of 65. As the former chairman and CEO of Golden State Foods, he led the company to remarkable heights over 25 years. But it was his family time that he treasured most. “As busy as he was, his family was still the most important part of his life,” shares Mark’s wife, Ginny Wetterau. “Mark was known for his professionalism, but he was an amicable, loving husband and father to our family.”

Despite his bustling schedule, Mark never lost sight of his commitment to community service. That commitment was deeply rooted in his upbringing and became a cornerstone of his life alongside Ginny. “Both of our families believed in giving back and being very active in the community,” she says. “From the beginning of our 39-year marriage, we always got involved within every area of the United States we called home.”

The couple have been active with Providence Mission Hospital since 2004 as regular underwriters of the annual holiday gala, and Ginny is a dedicated lifetime member of Valiant Women.

Shared values

Mark began having health challenges in 1999. Although he faced a multitude of issues that required many surgeries and hospitalizations over more than two decades, he never lost his optimism or stopped living a full life. “Mark loved engaging with others,” remembers Ginny. “What truly stood out was his love for listening to people’s life stories. His genuine curiosity and attentive listening made true connections and memories.”

Veterans of many stays at various hospitals over the years, he and Ginny found a home at Providence Mission Hospital for his final years. “Our experience with Mission during challenging times reinforced the importance of treating others as we would like to be treated,” shares Ginny.

The pair was comforted by Providence Mission Hospital’s faith-based culture. “It was extremely reassuring to know that the hospital has similar values to ours,” she says. “Beyond that, there was a quality of empathy and deep caring in our interactions with staff. You just had this feeling that you were going to be taken care of.”

Today, Ginny carries forth a devotion to giving back, ensuring that Mark’s legacy of love and service lives on within our community and the walls of Providence Mission Hospital. We are extremely grateful for the Wetterau family and their years of compassionate service.