Stanley J. Wessels

To view a video tribute of Stan's life, please follow this link: https://vimeo.com/170783474

STANLEY JOHN WESSELS was born November 20, 1931 to Fred and Jennie (Bergman) Wessels at their home in Rock County, MN. He grew up in Ash Creek, MN and attended country school. Stan served as a radio specialist in the Army during the Korean War. He married Gert Hisken on August 4, 1957. The couple was married at the Ebenezer Stateline Presbyterian Church in Rock County. Stan and Gert began their life together on a farm in Kanaranzi Township of Rock County. Stan was employed at AR Woods Manufacturing and then worked as a crop and livestock farmer until his retirement in 1992. During retirement, he worked part-time at a rest stop near Adrian, MN. In May 2016, Stan became a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, MN, where on Saturday, June 11, 2016 he died peacefully surrounded by his family at the age of 84 years, 6 months and 21 days.

Stan was a member of the Stateline Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder and sang in the choir, the Zion Presbyterian Church in Ellsworth and, most recently, the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. During his farming career, Stan served on the Magnolia Elevator Board and the Ellsworth School Board. In his younger years, Stan was on the Ash Creek fast pitch team with several of his brothers, and he was a heck of a pitcher. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, winemaking, traveling, spending time with his family and friends, and his life as a farmer.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Gert; four children, Tammy Makram of Luverne, MN, Tim (Kris) Wessels of Victoria, MN, Twyla (Craig) Schilling of Ellsworth, MN, and Terry Wessels of Lewisville, TX; eight grandchildren, Mason Makram, Danielle (Aaron) Spykerboer, McKayla Schilling, Karli Schilling, Jenna Wessels, Hannah Wessels, Erin Wessels, and Katrina Wessels; one great-grandchild, Axel Spykerboer; eight siblings, Norman (Joyce) Wessels of Luverne, MN, Enore Boelman of Luverne, MN, Phyllis (Donald) Schouwenburg of Sioux Falls, SD, Lowell Wessels of Steen, MN, Iva (Edwin) Elbers of Luverne, MN, Harold Wessels of Luverne, MN, David (Beverly) Wessels of Steen, MN, and Doug (Ginny) Wessels of Hardwick, MN; sister-in-law, Theresa Wessels of Luverne, MN; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Jennie; two brothers, Dale and Darrel Wessels; sister, Vernice Wessels; two sisters-in-law, Jolene and Sharon Wessels; brother-in-law, Edwin Boelman; and a niece, Tina Wessels Martinez.