In Memory of Gene F. Wessel, Sr.

Gene F. Wessel, Sr., age 78, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021, at UnityPoint Health–St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center of Sioux City, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 19, 2021, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.   The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Gene Fredrick Wessel, Sr., was born on May 25, 1943, in Denison, Iowa, to Lloyd and Lorraine (Schultz) Wessel. He grew up in the Denison and Ida Grove area, where he graduated from Ida Grove High School. 

After high school, Gene started working at John’s Super Valu in Ida Grove and also enlisted into the Army National Guard. On October 22, 1967, Gene married Myra Rath in the Church of God of Ida Grove. The couple made their home in Ida Grove but shortly after in 1968 Gene was called to active duty and relocated to Ft. Carson, Colorado. He was deployed on April 25, 1969, to Vietnam.

Serving his country, Gene was honorably discharged from active duty on December 12, 1969. Upon returning home to Ida Grove, Gene went back to the grocery industry working for J&J’s Grocery and Foodland now known as Food Pride, where he was employed for the last 33 years.

Gene was a faithful member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove and a member of McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove. He had a passion for all sports and enjoyed helping coach his children’s T-ball teams and later attending his grandchildren’s activities, never missing an event. Gene also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and watching old Westerns. With his quick wit and genuine smile, Gene will be fondly remembered as one of the good ol’ boys. 

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Gene was called into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on July 12, 2021. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Myra Wessel of Ida Grove, IA; children Gene Wessel, Jr. of Ida Grove, IA and Stacy Svendsen of Sioux City, IA; grandchildren: Mallery (Taylor) Baker, Brett Svendsen and Brandon Svendsen; brothers Gailen (Pam) Wessel and Wayne (Barb) Wessel all of Ida Grove, IA; brother-in-law Marelle Knudsen of Ida Grove, IA; nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends. 

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Lorraine Wessel; and sister Cheryl Knudsen.