Lyn Whale (nee Fetzer)

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 601, 29 August 1995, Page 11

Lyn Whale (nee Fetzer)

Lyn Whale was born Lyn Fetzer in 1915 at Dr Feltham's Surgery in Ohakune, situated on the site of the Peak FM radio station and adjoining hairdressing salon. She attended the Catholic School in Miro Street and later the Ohakune Public School. Many are the tales she told of riding on horseback the five miles to school in all weathers. Lyn left school at Standard 6 level and went to work on the family farm, which is still owned by the Fetzer family. She then went to work as a home help for Mr and Mrs Ryan near Te Whakarae. Lyn married her husband, the lateWig Whale, in 1936. They had four children all

of whom attended Ohakune school. Lyn worked very hard alongside Wig on the farm, milking cows, stumping, cropping, cutting swedes for market as well as being an excellent mother and housewife. She kept a beautifully clean and neat home. She was an active member of the local branch of the National Party as well as serving 1 2 years as a borough councillor, the first woman to be elected locally . She frequently accompanied the mayor and town clerks to Parliament when seeking funding for various projects for the area. She was also involved with the school committee as well as being a member of the college board of governors.

Lyn was a strong supporter of the Ohakune Mountain Road project running the farm single-handed while Wig worked physically on the project during the 17 years it took to construct the road. She served with dedication and distinction in all that she undertook. Lyn had a great flair for cake-making and icing. Many are those, both locally and abroad, who have had their wedding and other celebration cakes made and iced by her and who will remember the beauty and intricacies of her work. After Wig passed away Lyn lived on in her house on Ruapehu Road tending her large vegetable and flower gardens which were a credit to her. Her generos-

ity was known to man with her gifts of flowers, shrubs and vegetables.

Then ill-health j overtookherandshe 1 was forced, very reluctantly to move to Fairview Downs Rest Home in Wanganui i

January of this year. S still retained an activ terest in the farm, hei

ily and friends and enjoyed frequent visits from those special people during her short stay there. She was a true character of the area, known to everyone and it was often said of her, "her bark was worse than her bite"! Just what an impact she made on all who knew her was evident by the large numbers of friends and fam-

ily, staff and residents of the Rest Home who attended her memorial service at the Presbyterian Church in Ohakune. The Church and adjoining hall were full to capacity in what can only be described as atrocious weather conditions. Lyn will long be remembered by many. (Contributed)