Petra Elizabeth Van Gessel
Petra Elizabeth Van Gessel
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Petra Van Gessel Obituary
Petra was a sassy girl. She loved to play peek-a-boo with her older brother. Petra smiled at everyone and was known to keep a tight grip on anyone holding her.
Survivors include her father Todd Van Gessel of Kendallville; grandparents Troy and Cara Franks of Larwill and Kevin and Nancy Van Gessel of Kendallville; aunts and uncles Aaron Franks of Columbia City, Todd (Sidney) Franks of Churubusco, Jill (Seth) McDevitt of Columbia City, Amy (Nick Brisson) Van Gessel of Minneapolis, MN, Rachel Van Gessel of Kendallville, and Tricia (Landon) Herr of Linden; adoring cousins Norman, Oscar, and George McDevitt of Columbia City and Gordon Herr of Linden; great-grandparents Delores Franks of Winona Lake, IN, Phyllis (Dan Dubs) Weaver of Hamilton, IN, and June Gross of Warsaw.
She was joined in death by her mother Emily Franks and brother Edward Van Gessel.
Friends may call on Thursday January 22, 2026, from 3:00-8:00 pm at DeMoney Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.
Funeral services for Petra, her mother, and brother will be held at 10:00 am on Friday January 23, 2026, at the funeral home, with calling one hour prior.
Burial will follow at Sweet Cemetery in Albion.
Memorial contributions in memory of Petra may be made to B.A.B.E. store in Kendallville or Kendallville Library.
Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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600 Countryside Dr, Columbia City, IN 46725
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