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Roxie Ann Wessels

1923 - 2019

Roxie Ann Wessels obituary, 1923-2019, Overland Park, MO

BORN

1923

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Roxie Wessels Obituary

Roxie Ann (Moore) Wessels Roxie Ann (Moore) Wessels, 96, of Olathe, Kansas, went to be with her Lord on November 5, 2019. She was born January 24, 1923 in Prescott, Arkansas to Josiah Erben (J.E.) and Altha (Westmoreland) Moore, the fifth of seven children. Her father, Rev. J.E. Moore, was a minister in the Church of the Nazarene, pastoring churches in Houston and Dallas, TX, and Wichita and Topeka, KS. Roxie graduated from Adamson High School, Dallas, TX, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Dean Wessels. They both attended Bethany-Peniel College, now Southern Nazarene University (SNU), in Bethany, OK. Roxie received a BA in English from SNU in 1945, and later earned an MA in Education from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, in 1966. She and her husband pastored churches in Abilene, TX, and Coffeyville, KS, before moving to Kansas City in 1955, when her husband was asked to establish the Office of Pensions and Benevolence for the International Church of the Nazarene. Roxie taught at the Barstow School in Kansas City for 24 years, retiring in 1978. Roxie had the special gift of making every person she encountered feel loved and appreciated, which grew out of her deep faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. Though she was a pastor's wife, she was as involved in ministry as her husband was. She was a Sunday School teacher, mentor of young women, and Bible Study leader. Her greatest love, though, was in leading others to discover the transforming power of prayer. Roxie lived a life of prayer, through which she touched many thousands of lives across the world. Roxie was preceded in death by her husband, Dean H. Wessels, her parents, J.E. and Altha Moore, five brothers, and one sister. She is survived by her brother, Bill Moore, of Memphis, TN; daughter, Vickie Morsch and husband Gary, of Bucyrus, KS; son, Mark Wessels and wife Jan, of Olathe, KS; six grandchildren, Stephen Wessels, Dean Wessels, Amy Morsch Clarkson (Eric), Erin Morsch Hecker (Russ), Laurie Morsch Lamb (Jeremy), and Graham Morsch (Brittany); and thirteen great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 PM on November 23, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 11811 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be from 1 2 PM prior to the service. A private burial ceremony will be held at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Olathe. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Roxie Moore Wessels Scholarship at Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, OK. The family wishes to thank the staff of Aberdeen Village, Olathe, for their loving care of Roxie and Dean, and in particular, Trudy Eden, Roxie's friend and caregiver. Messages may be left for the family at www.PenwellGabelKC.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kansas City Star from Nov. 10 to Nov. 17, 2019.

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Jesse Middendorf

November 4, 2025

I will always cherish the memories of Roxie and Dean. They became prayer partners when I served as their pastor 1991 through 2001. When I began my service to the General Church, Roxie assured me from the beginning that she would continue to serve as my prayer partner. I shared my travel itinerary with her throughout that journey. She was consistent in her prayer support, often sending notes of encouragement. I am so grateful to know several of her great grandchildren and grandchildren where I now worship. Her legacy is strong and continuing.
Jesse C. Middendorf

Jesse and Susan Middendorf

November 4, 2021

For years while we served as pastor and wife at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene, Roxie became a prayer partner. She was faithful to let us know how she was praying, and we felt free to share with her some of our most personal requests for prayer.
After I became a general superintendent and was constantly traveling, Roxie and Dean received a copy of my official travel schedule. They prayed with us around the world. We often shared accounts of what we were doing and where we were seeing God at work. Roxie would respond with such joy, and always assured us of her persistent and focused prayer for us.
I will forever be grateful for her prayer support. We Roxie and Dean deeply.

Jesse Middendorf

November 23, 2019

Roxie was a monument of faith and holiness. Her legacy will endure for generations to come.

Richard Gammill

November 14, 2019

We with our four kids were camping at Lake Stockton in a tent trailer when it rained all night. Dean drove out in the morning looking for us and brought us to their place to dry out and have breakfast. Typical of their gracious thoughtfulness.

Lonnie Green

November 8, 2019

Roxie Wessels was one of those rare gracious persons who could always be counted on to make you feel important. My acquaintance with Roxie goes back to when I was 6 years old and I still remember what a wonderful person Roxie was to me and remained throughout my life. Mark and Vicki have always emulated their mother's sweet spirit. She was a great person.

Ramona Taylor

November 7, 2019

A wonderful mentor and friend whose kindness and love were boundless.

Lynn Stephenson

November 7, 2019

Oh how I loved you! You always made me as well as everyone feel so special. You were my spiritual mentor. Welcome home good and faithful servant!

David Rine

November 7, 2019

Beautiful good Christian friends of ours who we will miss but they are with the LORD now together.

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Memorial Events
for Roxie Wessels

Nov

23

Visitation

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

First Church of the Nazarene

11811 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO

Nov

23

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

First Church of the Nazarene

11811 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO

Funeral services provided by:

Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Olathe

14275 Black Bob Rd., Olathe, KS 66062

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