Grace Wessel, 84, of Ottumwa passed away December 4, 2020 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
She was born the fourth of twelve children on June 10, 1936 in Ottumwa to John Paul Masters and Bertha Rose (White) Masters.
Grace lived in Ottumwa until the age of 16 when she moved to California, and lived there for 40 years before moving back to Ottumwa in the early 90’s.
Surviving are three daughters, Sherry DePauw, Sue Mendoza and Kim Manning; a son, Bill Whetzel Jr.; eight grandchildren: Theresa (Jay) Lagestee, Nikole (Eric) Garland, Michael Manning, Charlie Whetzel, Angelique DePauw, Lauren Whetzel, Rick Manning, and Jacob Manning; two great grandchildren: Meredith and Jackson Garland; numerous nieces and nephews; and five sisters, Florence (Richard) Johnson, Edith (Jon) Gowen, May Stoker, Mildred (Sandy) Breon and Clara Boyer.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings: Mary Rose Ford, Margaret Hornback, Nora Hull, John Paul Masters Jr., Bill David Masters, Clarise Masters; and one grandson, Michael Mendoza.
Grace loved her very large and extensive family and was very proud of her family heritage.
Grace’s early career was a professional secretary. She was an exceptional typist with speeds over 90 wpm. She was employed by the State of California in Sacramento, Bixby Ranch Company in Seal Beach, Calif., and North American Rockwell in Downey, Calif. during the Apollo moon missions. Later she was an entrepreneur and had a successful business, Grace’s Ragdolls and Things. She was also the former owner of the Ballingall Hotel in Ottumwa.
Some of Grace’s interests and hobbies included Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, playing Ms. Pac-Man, and bowling. Additionally, she loved singing and music, and was known for singing around the house and just bursting into song.
Grace lived up to her nickname “Amazing Grace.” She was the pillar of strength and very supportive of her family, children, and grandchildren. Grace is dearly loved by her family and will be truly missed.
Private burial will be held at McCormick Cemetery in Highland Center, Iowa.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born the fourth of twelve children on June 10, 1936 in Ottumwa to John Paul Masters and Bertha Rose (White) Masters.
Grace lived in Ottumwa until the age of 16 when she moved to California, and lived there for 40 years before moving back to Ottumwa in the early 90’s.
Surviving are three daughters, Sherry DePauw, Sue Mendoza and Kim Manning; a son, Bill Whetzel Jr.; eight grandchildren: Theresa (Jay) Lagestee, Nikole (Eric) Garland, Michael Manning, Charlie Whetzel, Angelique DePauw, Lauren Whetzel, Rick Manning, and Jacob Manning; two great grandchildren: Meredith and Jackson Garland; numerous nieces and nephews; and five sisters, Florence (Richard) Johnson, Edith (Jon) Gowen, May Stoker, Mildred (Sandy) Breon and Clara Boyer.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings: Mary Rose Ford, Margaret Hornback, Nora Hull, John Paul Masters Jr., Bill David Masters, Clarise Masters; and one grandson, Michael Mendoza.
Grace loved her very large and extensive family and was very proud of her family heritage.
Grace’s early career was a professional secretary. She was an exceptional typist with speeds over 90 wpm. She was employed by the State of California in Sacramento, Bixby Ranch Company in Seal Beach, Calif., and North American Rockwell in Downey, Calif. during the Apollo moon missions. Later she was an entrepreneur and had a successful business, Grace’s Ragdolls and Things. She was also the former owner of the Ballingall Hotel in Ottumwa.
Some of Grace’s interests and hobbies included Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, playing Ms. Pac-Man, and bowling. Additionally, she loved singing and music, and was known for singing around the house and just bursting into song.
Grace lived up to her nickname “Amazing Grace.” She was the pillar of strength and very supportive of her family, children, and grandchildren. Grace is dearly loved by her family and will be truly missed.
Private burial will be held at McCormick Cemetery in Highland Center, Iowa.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Grace Wessel, 84, of Ottumwa passed away December 4, 2020 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
She was born the fourth of twelve children on June 10, 1936 in Ottumwa to John Paul Masters and Bertha Rose (White) Masters.
Grace lived in Ottumwa until the age of 16 when she moved to California, and lived there for 40 years before moving back to Ottumwa in the early 90’s.
Surviving are three daughters, Sherry DePauw, Sue Mendoza and Kim Manning; a son, Bill Whetzel Jr.; eight grandchildren: Theresa (Jay) Lagestee, Nikole (Eric) Garland, Michael Manning, Charlie Whetzel, Angelique DePauw, Lauren Whetzel, Rick Manning, and Jacob Manning; two great grandchildren: Meredith and Jackson Garland; numerous nieces and nephews; and five sisters, Florence (Richard) Johnson, Edith (Jon) Gowen, May Stoker, Mildred (Sandy) Breon and Clara Boyer.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings: Mary Rose Ford, Margaret Hornback, Nora Hull, John Paul Masters Jr., Bill David Masters, Clarise Masters; and one grandson, Michael Mendoza.
Grace loved her very large and extensive family and was very proud of her family heritage.
Grace’s early career was a professional secretary. She was an exceptional typist with speeds over 90 wpm. She was employed by the State of California in Sacramento, Bixby Ranch Company in Seal Beach, Calif., and North American Rockwell in Downey, Calif. during the Apollo moon missions. Later she was an entrepreneur and had a successful business, Grace’s Ragdolls and Things. She was also the former owner of the Ballingall Hotel in Ottumwa.
Some of Grace’s interests and hobbies included Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, playing Ms. Pac-Man, and bowling. Additionally, she loved singing and music, and was known for singing around the house and just bursting into song.
Grace lived up to her nickname “Amazing Grace.” She was the pillar of strength and very supportive of her family, children, and grandchildren. Grace is dearly loved by her family and will be truly missed.
Private burial will be held at McCormick Cemetery in Highland Center, Iowa.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
She was born the fourth of twelve children on June 10, 1936 in Ottumwa to John Paul Masters and Bertha Rose (White) Masters.
Grace lived in Ottumwa until the age of 16 when she moved to California, and lived there for 40 years before moving back to Ottumwa in the early 90’s.
Surviving are three daughters, Sherry DePauw, Sue Mendoza and Kim Manning; a son, Bill Whetzel Jr.; eight grandchildren: Theresa (Jay) Lagestee, Nikole (Eric) Garland, Michael Manning, Charlie Whetzel, Angelique DePauw, Lauren Whetzel, Rick Manning, and Jacob Manning; two great grandchildren: Meredith and Jackson Garland; numerous nieces and nephews; and five sisters, Florence (Richard) Johnson, Edith (Jon) Gowen, May Stoker, Mildred (Sandy) Breon and Clara Boyer.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents; six siblings: Mary Rose Ford, Margaret Hornback, Nora Hull, John Paul Masters Jr., Bill David Masters, Clarise Masters; and one grandson, Michael Mendoza.
Grace loved her very large and extensive family and was very proud of her family heritage.
Grace’s early career was a professional secretary. She was an exceptional typist with speeds over 90 wpm. She was employed by the State of California in Sacramento, Bixby Ranch Company in Seal Beach, Calif., and North American Rockwell in Downey, Calif. during the Apollo moon missions. Later she was an entrepreneur and had a successful business, Grace’s Ragdolls and Things. She was also the former owner of the Ballingall Hotel in Ottumwa.
Some of Grace’s interests and hobbies included Scrabble, Wheel of Fortune, playing Ms. Pac-Man, and bowling. Additionally, she loved singing and music, and was known for singing around the house and just bursting into song.
Grace lived up to her nickname “Amazing Grace.” She was the pillar of strength and very supportive of her family, children, and grandchildren. Grace is dearly loved by her family and will be truly missed.
Private burial will be held at McCormick Cemetery in Highland Center, Iowa.
Reece Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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