Joan Ann Wessel

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

May 25, 1938 - Feb. 13, 2009

SELDEN -- Joan Ann Wessel, 70, died Friday (Feb. 13, 2009) at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

She was born May 25, 1938, in Coffeyville, Kan., to Wilbur and Floy (McKinney) Ryan. She grew up in Caney, Kan., and attended Caney Public Schools and Coffeyville Junior College. She graduated from the Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Education degree.

On May 25, 1963, she married Leroy Wessel in Osborne, Kan. They lived in Alton, Victoria and Oakley, Kan., Benkelman and Selden. She worked as a CNA and Rehabilitation Aide at Lantern Park in Colby, Kan., before becoming an Administrator for the Oakley Manor from 1986-1992. She was in materials management at Decatur County Health Systems in Oberlin until December of 2008.

She was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Selden, Sweet Adelines International and KSU Alumni Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Floy Ryan.

Survivors include her husband, Leroy of Selden; sons, Joseph Wessel of Satana, Kan., and John Wessel of Carbondale, Kan.; daughters, Floy "Lisa" Wessel of Emporia, Kan., Pam Wessel of Wichita Falls, Texas and Rebecca Surmeier of Emporia; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 10 a.m., at Sacred Hearth Church in Selden with the Rev. Rick Story officiating Interment will be in the Selden Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. with Vigil services at 7 p.m., at Pauls Funeral Home in Selden.

Memorials may be given to the Multiple Myealoma Association or the church.

Pauls Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.