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Frances Wessels Obituary
Des Moines
Frances Marie Wessels died Saturday, June 4, 2011 in her home at the age of 69. She was born April 11, 1942 in Modesto, CA to Mildred and Loren A. Cosner. In 1947 she lived in Sunny Acres Children's Home, Lake Tahoe, NV which later moved to Carson City, NV as the Nevada State Orphanage.
Fran received schooling at the Orphanage and while there was baptized in the Baptist Church. Graduating, working several jobs, she worked fourteen years for Dynatech Corporation in Carson City.
September 1986 she married Daniel Wessels in Carson City. Fran's caring giving skills were used in Carson City and Reno homes. Fran and Dan moved to Des Moines in 1998. She continued applying her care giving skills at Martina Place in Johnston and Deerfield Care Center in West Des Moines. She also did personal care for individuals in Ottumwa and Des Moines.
In 2004 Fran required heart surgery and was again hospitalized earlier this year for another week. The skill and compassionate care of Mercy Hospice allowed Fran to return home. Special respiratory therapy allowed her quality time with Dan, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother.
Surviving are her husband, Daniel; two daughters, Barbara Townsend of Des Moines and Dawn Allen of Reno, NV; two sons, Tracy Henderson of Washington; and Michael Young of Ogden, UT; grandchildren: Christopher Sanchey of Ogden, UT, Amber Townsend of West Des Moines, Pvt. Travis (Bree) Young of Anchorage, AK; Ashley Young, Carson City, NV and Shane Allen, Jr. of Reno, NV. Also surviving are great-grandchildren: Mason and Kingston Townsend of West Des Moines, Landen Young of Carson City, NV and Kaiden Young of Anchorage, AK; and sisters, Violet Holtzclaw of Hawthorne, NV and Shirley Brisentine of McKenzie, TN.
A Memorial Service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, June 11 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 3820 SW 9th Street, Des Moines.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frances Wessels
6 Entries
Buffye Sithideth
June 8, 2011
We have been BLESS to have Fran our life, I have only known your family a short time but your Mother has always make us feel like family! We well miss her and her SMILE! Our prayers are with you and your family. Take care of each other and remember there is PEACE in the LOVE of GOD and Jesus Christ. With love
Buffye Sithideth
June 8, 2011
We have been BLESS to have Fran in our hearts, I have only known your family a short time but you MOTHER has always make us feel like we're family! We well miss her SMILE! Our prayers are with you and you family! Take care of each other and remember there is peace in the LOVE of GOD and Jesus Christ. With love
Trang Vu
June 7, 2011
Dear Dawn,
Sorry to hear of your mom passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dawn Allen
June 7, 2011
The strongest most beautiful woman I will ever know. She will live forever in my heart and I will always know that she walks with me through the rest of my journey! Every person who she ever touched will remember her nature of making them laugh in some way! The ability she had to always say what she was thinking will be missed. Her greatest joy was her family and the pride she took in the work that she did. Forever missed but always alive. I love you, Mom.
June 7, 2011
Sorry to hear of Frans passing. I knew her from working with her at Martina place. Fran was one of a kind . She will be missed by all who knew her. Our prayers are with her family at this time. Marylin Burns Grimes, Iowa
Gary Friemel
June 7, 2011
Sorry to see of Frannies passing. I worked with Fran at Martina Place and throughly enjoyed working with her. I have worked with many people in my time, and would consider Frannie to be one of the best - her smile and gentile nature won you over in a heartbeat. Peace to you Fran, and to your family during this tough time.
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