"Rhonda~ thinking of you and yours during this time. you are in our thoughts and prayers. may you find strength in the days ahead and may beautiful memories surround you! Sorry i didnt make it over, mom and Doug did and said it was a tribute at its finest, what a loved man! GOD BLESS Darcy Dailey"
In loving memory of
Dale Wessel
September 27, 1947 - January 13, 2011
Dale Delmar Wessel was born September 27, 1947, the son of Delmar and Gladys Johannsen Wessel. He passed away Thursday, January 13, 2011, near his home in Denison, Iowa, at the age of sixty-three.
Dale was born in Denison and baptized in Christ on November 9, 1947, at the Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig, Iowa. He was confirmed on April 15, 1962, at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. He attended country school through the 4th grade and then joined the Denison Schools and graduated from Denison High School in 1965. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and from 1967-1972 he served in the National Guard.
On February 10, 1973, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Rhonda Harm, by Rev. Robert Maschke at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. The couple made their home on an acreage and were blessed with the birth of three beautiful children. He began his trucking career with his father and brother Doug known as Wessel Trucking. He also worked for Teut Bros. in Schleswig, Iowa. In 1980, he went to work as a driver for Farmland Foods in Denison. When Farmlands fleet was dispersed in 2001 he then drove for Farner-Bocken Company in Carroll, Iowa. He was going to retire from Farner-Bocken on March 1, 2011. Throughout his life he nurtured and raised his herd of sheep for the county fairs and his stockcows and calves with his son Justin.
He was a loving, passionate and devoted husband, father and grandfather who thoroughly enjoyed making their lives better. They all came first in his life. He loved the annual family Okoboji vacation at Triggs Resort where he spent so much time keeping all the fishing rods working for everyone. He loved his cartoons with his grandchildren and he would be the one laughing the loudest. He was known for his famous "whisker rubs" and known by all his nephews and nieces as "UNCLE Dale." He was the human GPS for all and could give anyone directions from memory as to what mile marker to look for and interstate exit numbers anywhere in the Midwest. You were never lost. He was just a phone call away. His hobbies included flower and vegetable gardening, (bringing his "gals" wild flowers to plant from the pasture) fishing, golfing, hunting mushrooms and socializing. He loved county fairs and the state fair and getting the kids and grandkids to show his sheep. He was a great teacher to all on the love and care of his livestock. And most of all, he loved life and filled the room with his stories. He saw the best in everyone and knew no strangers. He got through life on the road through his truck driving companions; who talked to him daily or on scheduled days of the week. He took his driving skills seriously and never had a traffic violation on his record. He participated in driving championships and won "Driver of the Year" at Farmland Foods in 1982 and was Farmland Industries Grand Champion in 1995 at the Kansas City Driving Rodeo. He was named an outstanding Professional Driver for the Iowa Motor Truck Association in September 2005. He was recognized with Farmland for having over three million accident-free miles and with Farner-Bocken he had nearly a million accident-free miles. He served as a director on Cattlemens Association, was a member of the Crawford County Farm Bueau, a member of Zion Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir when they needed a backup bass voice.
Dale was preceded in death by his father, Delmar in October 2008 and his brother-in-law, Jim Bruening in September 2007. Survivors include his wife, Rhonda; one son, Justin and his wife, Carla; two daughters: Jami and her husband, Andy; Jillian and her husband, Jeremy; six grandchildren: Lane, Logan, Ellie, Parker, Austin and Ann; his mother, Gladys; four brothers: Douglas and his wife, Rhonda; Duane and his wife, Kristi; Darwin; and Darren and his wife, Kelly; three sisters: Fayleen; Colleen and friend, Bob; and Kathleen and her husband, Brett; and many other great relatives and friends.
Tributes
"Rhonda and family, Please accept my condolences at Dale's passing. I have so many great memories of him and your entire family from the county fair. My favorite is when he and his brothers asked why my siblings and I called them all Mr. Wessel. We said it was the only way we knew we'd have the right name! He was a good man and will live on the memories of all those who were lucky enough to get to know him. I'm keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. I wish that I had been able to make it back to tell you in person. Teri"
"Sorry to hear of Dale's passing. He was a very nice classmate in high school. I always enjoyed talking with him at reunions as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"We are so sorry to hear of Dale's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Sorry we can't be there. Chuck and Marilyn"
"I was shocked and saddened to hear about the loss of Dale. He always had a smile and kind words when I saw him. There is nothing I can say to make any of this easier on any of you, but please know that you are in my thoughts and he will definately be missed."
"Rhonda and families, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. The Wessel families are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May God be with you all. God bless. Karla, Colin & Lucas"
"Dale was a great cousin, we always have a great love of the Wessel Family. Dale will be missed. He would brighten up the room when he was around. Take Care! Darrell"
"Always will remember assisting Whitey Steinkamp at work and chatting with Dale when he came back from his linehaul. He always had a smile on his face and something kind to say to others, never heard him complain. He would dearly speak about his family and was so happy in his life! He was a great role model for others. My prayers are with his family."
"The entire Wessel family: Our deepest sympathies to you and your families. We have so many happy, laughing memories to get us through this trying time -- from the visits back and forth with the Wessel & Jepsen families, the many long hours working together, the joys and disappointments we have all shared -- keep Dale's memory alive by remembering, sharing, loving, and laughing -- our thoughts and prayers are with you. You lost a husband, father, son, uncle and brother -- we lost a "cousin" and dear, dear friend."
"Remembering all the wonderful times we had together growing up and farming. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Wessel family."
"My heart goes out to the entire Wessel family. Thinking and praying for you."
"Dear Rhonda and family, I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Dale. My deepest sympathy to all. I remember Dale always with a smile and Rhonda and Dale a very happy, sweet couple. Yet another loss to bear and may you find comfort in knowing so many friends are thinking of you. May God be with you. Diane"