Charles Weesner (2014)

WEESNER, JAMES, COUNTRYMAN, CRAVEN, BEGGS, MILLER, WATKINS, RAMIREZ, PIATT, VANHOVE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/10/2020 at 12:15:30

The Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
November 13, 2014
Page 4, Column 1 & 2

Charles Marvin Weesner, 62, of Des Moines, formerly of Earlham, died Sunday, November 2, 2014 at Kavanagh Hospice House after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services were held Friday, November 7, 2014, at Saints Center for Culture and the Arts in Stuart with Pastor Ron Bryan officiating. Pianist was Cathy Van Hove, she played “Trees”. Music included “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” and “Are You Washed In The Blood?”,, both by Alan Jackson, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” by Justin Moore, and “Orange Blossom Special” by Johnny Cash.

Pallbearers were Matt Weesner, Tim Weesner, Paul Weesner, Jason Van Hove, Kyle Van Hove, Archie Jones, Matt Funk and Crest Jones. Honorary bearers were Seth Weesner, Dakota Weesner, Mandi Weesner, Hannah Weesner, Paige Weesner, Max Weesner, Brianna Fields, Dakota C. Weesner, Ashleigh Weesner, Dalton Weesner, Eden Davies and Mara Ramirez.

Burial was in Dexter Cemetery, Dexter.

Charles Marvin Weesner was born February 10, 1952 in Dexter to Max and Carol (James) Weesner, and grew up on the family farm north of Dexter. The oldest of three siblings, he watched out for his brother and sister while attending high school and graduating from Dexfield. After high school, he stayed on the family farm in partnership with his father and grandfather, raising Angus cattle.

He was married to Beverly Countryman on July 18, 1969, and three sons were born to this union, Bryon Marvin, John David and Jeffery Wayne. He served as a 4-H leader and on the Dexfield School board and worked part time for Minnesota Valley Breeders Association.

When the family farm dissolved, he pursued a career in insurance sales for a number of companies including Farm Bureau and Met Life, always looking for that one big sale, but making a living on people he refused to swindle because they were his friends and neighbors.

He married Donna Craven on Jan. 28, 1988 in Sewal, and welcomed her children, Christine and Shelley, into the family and settled on the old Hadley farm in the Bear Creek neighborhood.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2009, surrounded by his family, he married Michaeline Beggs, and along with her children, Michael and Catherine, moved to Des Mines to start the final chapter of his life. He spent countless hours watching the kids and helping with 4-H and State Fair projects.

He was recorded a full pastor in the Friends Church in 2014 during the early stages of his illness I which he fulfilled the long road he had taken to find a job he truly loved. He was serving as pastor for the Stuart Friends Church at the time of his death, loved his job and the congregation, and was excited for the future there after his recording.

He enjoyed following the Iowa State Cyclones and Green Bay Packers (fulfilling a lifelong dream of attending a game at Lambeau Field in 2000). He was passionate about his draft horses, fishing, gardening, and baking pies. He loved his grandchildren dearly, ad spent hours at “the farm” where he found the most peace. He was recognized by the Governor of Iowa in 1985 for Volunteerism, and received the Honorary Iowa FFA Degree in 1989.

He was preceded in death by his father, Max, uncles, Robert Weesner, Jack Weesner, LaVerne James, Dean James, and aunt, Doris Miller.

Survivors include his wife, Michaeline Weesner of Des Moines, sons, Bryon Weesner of Dexter, John Weesner of Grimes, and Jeff (Gwen) Weesner of Earlham, step-children, Michael and Catherine Beggs of Des Moines, Chris Watkins (Jenifer Davies) of Denver, Colo. and Shelley (Cesar) Ramirez of Des Moines, mother, Carol Piatt of Dexter, brother, David (Cheryl) Weesner of Altoona, sister, Cathy (Don) VanHove of Keister, Minn., former wives, Bev Weesner and Donna Craven, both of Des Moines, 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nephews, aunts, and cousins.

Professional arrangements by Ochiltree Funeral Service & Aftercare, Winterset, Iowa.