John Wetten was so much more than the namesake of Gladstone’s sole elementary school; a tireless educator, generous philanthropist and community leader with regional impact, he died over the weekend at the age of 94.
Wetten left an enduring legacy as a former school principal who gave all of his spirit and heart to the town he loved so dearly and loved him right back. He started his career in education as a fifth-grade teacher at the school in 1956 and served as principal from 1972-92, but he continued to volunteer regularly at the school until his last days.
Wetten was beloved by staff and students alike who gave him hugs and high-fives every time he came back to the school to read to students or celebrate birthdays. They marveled at how he was always able to remember the names of every student and parent he met.
Wetten’s unique personality and guidance benefited thousands of students. He was also a positive influence on adults who saw how he was able to reach the child within everyone, to make us smile and achieve everything we could possibly be.
Wetten’s legacy continues to benefit his namesake school through a generous endowment he established in 2021 to benefit Wetten Elementary students. He and his wife, Marilee, also donated their 12.86-acre parcel of farmland to the county for use as a park.
For generations of Gladstone students, the Wettens’ working farm had served as a living classroom for field trips. In making the donation to the county, the Wettens envisioned science teachers taking their students to the future park to learn about ecology.
Wetten’s parkland is being developed as an educational, environmental and recreational resource for generations to come. The Wettens bought what is now the county park property in 1978 with the intention of selling it for their daughters’ college expenses, but they managed without selling the land.
Not your typical flat farmland, the donated land is hilly, wooded and tranquil, partially a holdover from a Christmas tree farm whose trees were never harvested. A natural park setting is suggested by the site's spring-fed pond, wetland area, active beaver colony, walking trails, and established cedar, fir, cottonwood and cherry trees.
Wetten was born on Oct. 30, 1931 in Aruba, South America. He came to Gladstone schools as an eighth grader in 1944.
Since this was decades prior to the 1966 construction of Gladstone High School, Wetten graduated from Oregon City High School in 1948. He went to Oregon State University, studying to become a teacher; he took six years to complete his teaching degree, because he had to work to pay for his education.
Wetten was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces, and he served his country from 1954-56. During his last year of service, he sent applications to teach at several schools across Oregon and was pleased to hear back from Gladstone’s principal Walter L. Kraxberger.
When Wetten retired in 1992, the Gladstone School Board heard a resounding call from the community to rename Gladstone Elementary School in his honor. Members of the school’s parents’ club were among those writing to school board members to recommend the naming, hoping this gesture would recognize the contributions that Wetten made not only to the school, but also to the community at large.
“Whenever the school is unlocked and a function is happening, Mr. Wetten is always there. John always helps set up and take down,” the parents wrote.
Thank you, Mr. Wetten, for everything you did for our community and for a life very well lived.