Wessels, Ferne (1925-2011)
WESSELS, RAPP, SCHRODER, STEWART, STURTZ
Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/22/2011 at 15:32:43
Ferne Wessels
(February 21, 1925 - May 2, 2011)Eunice “Ferne” Wessels, age 86, of Buffalo Center, passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease on Monday, May 2, 2011, at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center. She endured her disease and died as she lived her entire life, with peace, dignity and grace.
Ferne was born on February 21, 1925, in Northwood, Iowa, to Rosealie and Virgil Rapp. In 1943, she graduated from Northwood High School as the class Salutatorian. She attended Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. In the fall of 1945, while teaching 6th grade on an Emergency Teaching Certificate in Buffalo Center, she met Marvin “Miff” Wessels. They were married on November 29, 1946. They made their home in Buffalo Center while running “Pete and Miff’s Café” with Pete and Virginia Wessels.
In addition to being an active partner in their farming and trucking business after selling the cafe, she was a devoted volunteer in their church and throughout the community. A member of the RCW and the ladies circle, Ferne taught Sunday school, Bible School, and Catechism at the First Reformed Church for many years. An avid reader who always emphasized the importance of a good education both to her family and to others whose lives she touched, she served on the public library board for twenty-eight years. She was also a volunteer in the Legion Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary where she served as Poppy Chair for many years, the Blood Mobile, and Meals on Wheels.
A caring and nurturing wife, mother, and grandmother, Ferne leaves a legacy of love and devotion to family and faith. Her family wishes to express their thanks to neighbors and friends for their support and kindness throughout her illness as well as their great appreciation to the wonderful staff at the Timely Mission Nursing Home for the excellent, loving, and tender care they provided in the final years of her life.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Marvin; her son, Denny (Deborah) Wessels, of Clear Lake; her daughter, Gwen (Jeffrey) Schroder, of Indianola; her grandsons, Christopher (Gina) Wessels, of Clear Lake, and Corey Wessels, of Buffalo Center; her granddaughters, Alison (Mitchell) Stewart, of West Des Moines, and Emily Schroder (Lane Sturtz), of Truro; a great grandson, Christian; and a great granddaughter, Remy; two brothers, Glen (Dorothea) Rapp, of Denver, Colorado, and Gary (Lynne) Rapp, of St. Louis, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Vivienne.
Services for Ferne will be Friday, May 6, 2011, at 10:30 AM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with Pastor Bill Peake officiating. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 5, 2011, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
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