Jolene Wessels

JOLENE WESSELS was born on November 29, 1939 to Raymond and Ann (Becker) Vogt at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Magnolia Methodist Church in Magnolia, Minnesota. She grew up on the family farm near Magnolia and attended school in Magnolia where she graduated in 1957. She then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she studied to be an airline stewardess. She worked for a short time at Prudential Insurance in Minneapolis. Jolene was united in marriage to Lowell Wessels on February 15, 1959 at the State Line Presbyterian Church outside of Luverne. The couple lived on farms near Ash Creek, Minnesota until they purchased the family farm in the spring of 1965. Here they made their home and raised their family. Jolene loved her role as a farmwife and mother. She enjoyed working on the farm and being a part of the operations. Throughout the years she worked other jobs including, AR Woods Manufacturing from 1958-1960, the Kanaranzi Bank from 1960-1962, Tri-State Insurance from 1987-1990, and as a part-time seamstress at Cook’s Clothing in Luverne for many years. Jolene entered Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage on July 6, 2012 where she then went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at the age of 72 years, 7 months and 13 days.

Jolene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She began playing the organ at the age of 13. At this same time she began playing as an accompanist for church and shared her gift of music throughout her life. She had a passion for music and loved playing for worship, weddings, funerals and other celebrations. She was also active in church through circle, quilting, as a Sunday school teacher, and served on various church committees. In the community, Jolene was an avid supporter of 4-H. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, canning, antiquing and collecting miniature piano figurines. In her later years, she loved spending time with her many grandchildren and being involved in their activities.

Jolene is lovingly remembered by her husband, Lowell; her children, Todd (Brenda) Wessels of Luverne, Scott (Michele) Wessels of Luverne, and Kim (Brian) Schoneman of Luverne; eight grandchildren, Jamie Brehmer, Kelsey Wessels, Calvin and Cameron Wessels, Christian and Bailey Rise, and Joshua and Joseph Schoneman; five siblings, Bob (Pat) Vogt of Plymouth, Minnesota, Valoyce (John) Sommers of Yukon, Oklahoma, Roger (Sandra) Vogt of Luverne, Cheryl (Gaylen) Abels of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Alan (Debra) Vogt of Magnolia; and other family. She will be reunited in heaven with her grandson, Austin Wessels; and her parents.