Obituary of Rose Wessels

Survivors include a brother, John Benke, of Dyersville, IA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband on December 14, 1972, one brother, Clarence Benke on December 22, 1985, two sisters, Lorine Wilhelm on April 18, 1987, and Leona Kennedy on July 15, 2003. Rose was born on July 19, 1904 in Petersburg, Iowa, the daughter of Albert Henry and Caroline (Nefzger) Benke. She worked at the Glover Sewing Factory until she married Lawrence J. Wessels on May 22, 1928, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, Iowa. They moved to Farley, and after a few years moved back to Dyersville. She was a wonderful seamstress and did altering in her home for Golden Rule Clothiers. She made the Pavilion (umbrella) at the Basilica, as well as vestments for Msgr. Hoffmann. She also volunteered as a hosts maker for the church. Rose was a member of the Catholic Daughters or America and Order of Martha.