Clarissa “Cassie” (Teel) Uerling

Clarissa “Cassie” (Teel) Uerling

Aug. 7, 1933 – Dec. 23, 2021

FORT SMITH, Ark. — Clarissa “Cassie” Uerling (nee Teel), 88, of Fort Smith, passed away on Dec. 22, 2021. Cassie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and nurse. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.

Cassie was born on Aug. 7, 1933, in Red Willow County, Neb., to Oscar Allyn Teel and Martha Victoria Teel, the eighth of nine children. After graduation from Indianola High School, she graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital Nursing School as a registered nurse. Looking to get back to Nebraska, she took a job at the McCook hospital in McCook, Neb. For New Year’s Eve, a nurse friend set her up on a blind date with a tall civil engineer named Dave Uerling. By July the couple were married. As Dave’s career advanced, there were several moves. First to upstate New York, where David, Dan, Laura, and Lisa were born. Later a move to Tulsa, where Mary was born. Finally, in 1967, the family moved to Fort Smith and Melinda was born two years later.

Along with taking care of Dave and those kids, Cassie enjoyed singing in the Christ the King choir and was a member of the Presentation Circle. For many years she delivered meals twice a week with Meals on Wheels. After the youngest children were in high school, Cassie went back to work as an RN at St. Edwards Mercy. She loved being with patients again.

She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 57 years, P. David Uerling; one son, David James Uerling, and all her siblings.

She is survived by one son, Daniel Ray Uerling of Fort Smith; four daughters, Laura Uerling Budil of Stoughton, Mass., Lisa Uerling Rands of Cary, Ill., Mary Uerling LaFevers of Tulsa, Okla., and Melinda Uerling Schneider of Livonia, Mich.; six grandchildren, Thomas James Rands of Boston, Mass., Timothy Joseph Rands of Cary, Ill., Leah Catherine Budil-Riley of Charlestown, Mass., Dahlia Marie Budil of Stoughton, Mass., Sara Jane LaFevers of Tulsa, Maxwell Paul Schneider of Livonia; and one great-granddaughter, Isabella Marie Rands of Cary, Ill.; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Special thanks to the staff at St. Simeon’s in Tulsa for the loving care they provided to our mother over the years. Memorial contributions should be made to Christ the King, Meals on Wheels, and Alzheimer’s Association.

Mass was 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at Christ The King Catholic Church in Fort Smith.Visitation was Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, at Edwards Funeral Home. Graveside service was 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, at Fort Smith National Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.