Wessels, Earl M.

Earl M. Wessels, 85, of New Vienna, Iowa, entered eternal life on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at home with family by his side.

Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a parish Scripture service will be held at 3 p.m., a Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 5 p.m., and VFW Post 7736 and American Legion Post 137 will gather at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2011, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, New Vienna, Iowa, with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. John O'Connor with Deacon Nick Francois assisting.

Earl was born on Jan. 25, 1926, in New Vienna, Iowa, the son of William and Mary B. (Oberbroeckling) Wessels. He married Ruth Anna Evers on Nov. 17, 1947, in Dyersville, Iowa. Earl worked for Amoco Oil for most of his career, retiring in 1991. He was a member of St. Boniface Holy Name, Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7736 and American Legion Post 137. Earl enjoyed fishing and watching Chicago Cubs baseball. He especially treasured sharing life with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth of 63 years; sons, Steve (Brenda) of Fort Worth, Texas, and Jerry (Joan) of Tucson, Ariz.; daughters, Ann (Dennis) Goedken of Cottage Grove, Wis., June (Nick) Francois of Decorah, Iowa, Janet (Dale) Scherbring of Gretna, Neb., and Connie (Dave) Stachowski of Evansville, Ind.; grandchildren, Michelle (John) Lockhart, Sara (Chad) Domann, Eric (Jodi) Goedken, Jill (Aaron) Sheridan, Tina (Tim) Fisher, Greg Wessels, Zach Francois, Laura Francois, Keri Scherbring, Jay Scherbring, Ben Stachowski, Emma Stachowski; stepgrandchildren, Maranda (Brian) Johnson and Lindsey Read; great-grandchildren, Jenni, Sam, Brett, Jacob; step-great-grandchildren, Kennedy, Addison, Airiana; brothers, Louis (Kay) Wessels of New Vienna, Leon (Eileen) Wessels of Dyersville; and sister-in-law, Lillian Wessels of Farley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Wessels; brothers, James and Fred (Mary Ann) Wessels; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Monica Evers.

Special thanks to Father O'Conner, Lois of Mercy Home Health and Edna and Angela of Hospice of Dubuque.

Information available and condolences accepted at .