Douglas Franklin Wretberg

Douglas Franklin Wretberg, 92 passed away May 27, 2025, of natural causes.

He was born August 22, 1932 to Emanuel and Thirza Wretberg of Salt Lake City, Utah. His family later relocated to Portland, Oregon where he attended Cleveland High School and graduated in 1950.

After graduating from high school, Doug returned to Utah. In 1951, while working on his sister’s roof he caught a glimpse of a beautiful young lady who (unbeknownst to him) was soon to become his wife of 72 years. Myth has it that there may have been whistling involved in this first encounter.

Doug married Marlene May 1, 1953, in Seattle, Washington where Doug was stationed during the Korean war. After the honeymoon, Doug returned to the base where he was immediately informed that he had been AWL the whole time. To make things even worse, he was almost immediately transferred to Camp Roberts in California, leaving Marlene behind in Seattle all by herself.

Doug was discharged from the Army November 12, 1954, at which time Doug and Marlene moved back to Salt Lake City with their first child Debbie in tow. After settling into civilian life, Doug entered an apprenticeship program as a pressman for the Newspaper Agency Corp, where he worked for the remainder of his career.

In 1963, Doug and Marlene adopted their son Rick, a moment that brought immense joy and completeness to their growing family. Shortly thereafter, the family was sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple, solidifying their unity as a family.

Doug was an avid outdoorsman spending most of his free time hunting, fishing (maybe a little too much according to Marlene), camping, water/snow skiing, and mostly golfing, all of which he shared with his family. In fact, most of his family’s vacations were spent water skiing at either Flaming Gorge or Lake Powell.

Doug loved and cared for his family without waiver, working the night shift most of his career, managing/maintaining a home, and providing for his family. During the last seven to eight years he was the total and devoted caregiver to his beloved wife Marlene.

He was very proud of his children, many grandchildren, great grandchildren and loved each of them very dearly. Even though they were a little loud and rowdy sometimes, he loved being with them and being part of their lives.

Doug is survived by his brother Neil (Dee) Wretberg, daughter Debbie (Hal) Snedaker; son Rick (Kathryn deceased); Grandchildren Jason (Brooke) Snedaker; Justin (Kortni) Snedaker; Jeff Snedaker; Jordan (Natalie) Snedaker; Cortney Wretberg; Jake Wretberg; and twelve great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Marlene, mother Thirza, father Emanuel, sister Dorthy, and brother Sonny Boy.