Wessels, Marvin "Miff" K. (1919-2018)
WESSELS, WESTENDORF, RAPP, SCHRODER, STEWART, STURTZ, DORENBUSH
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/25/2018 at 21:57:56
Marvin "Miff" Wessels
January 20, 1919 - April 28, 2018Marvin (Miff) Kenneth Wessels was born on January 20, 1919, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, to Carl and Tena (Westendorf) Wessels. He grew up on a farm near Buffalo Center and graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1937.
Drafted into the Army on May 3, 1941, Miff served in the European Theatre during World War II with Company C, 133rd Infantry, 34th Red Bull Division, 5th Army, as a foot soldier in the mortar section. Honorably discharged on August 2, 1945, he completed four years of faithful service to his country.
Miff married Eunice "Ferne" Rapp on November 29, 1946, in Mason City. They made their home in Buffalo Center while running "Pete and Miff's Café" with Pete and Virginia Wessels. After the café, Miff started in the farming and trucking business, sold a host of different products including Pioneer seed, and was known for being liberal with Pioneer gifts.
Generous, optimistic, loyal, honest, and a dear friend to many, Miff was, always, willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He served on various local boards, belonged to the American Legion Post # 21 in Buffalo Center for over seventy years and the VFW. A member of the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, he served as Elder and Deacon. Most of all, however, he loved spending time with family and friends. He just enjoyed mingling with people. Miff died on April 28, 2018, at the Timely Mission Nursing Home in Buffalo Center at the age of 99.
Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Denny (Deborah) Wessels, of Clear Lake; his daughter, Gwen (Jeffrey) Schroder, of Indianola; his grandsons, Christopher (Gina) and Corey (Brianne) Wessels; his granddaughters, Alison (Mitchell) Stewart and Emily (Lane) Sturtz; and his great-grandchildren: Christian Donovan; Blythe and Isla Stewart; Bodey and Remy Sturtz; and Cadence, Ryan, and Sydney Wessels; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ferne; his parents; an infant brother, Theodore; and a sister, Gertrude Dorenbush. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the North Iowa Food Pantry for Families, FAVA (Family Alliance for Veterans of America), or the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center.
Services for Miff will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 1:30 PM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center with Pastor Bill Peake officiating. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center. Visitation will be on Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM at the First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center.
Oakcrest Funeral Services ~ Winter Chapel, Buffalo Center, Iowa, 2017.
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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