Edith Ann Ryerson Wessel

The world has lost a humble, but relentless champion on behalf of justice, inclusion and non-violence. Edith did not know a stranger; if you picked up a freecycle offering from her, you had a friend. For years, students who were not able to go home for the holidays were invited to her Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners. When she was a member of a small church, she hosted Christmas Day dinner for everyone who did not have another place to go. We will celebrate Edith’s life on July 5, 2019, 11 am at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Ames. 

What Edith saved in counting pennies, she gave to her many charitable interests from the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Doctors without Borders, Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance and Amnesty International and so many more. She also was happy to help her grandchildren. 

Raised on farms in Cambridge and Huxley area with 6 older brothers whom she adored.  -- attended public schools in Cambridge and Huxley – also one year at the Livingston One Room Country School.

After graduating from Huxley High School, Edith was accepted into and was a member of the last class of the U.S. Student Nurse Cadet Program getting her nursing degree at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in 1948. She was certified as a Parish Nurse in 1992.

Edith enjoyed a wide variety of nursing experiences. She worked as an R.N. at Mary Greeley, Clarion and Iowa Lutheran Hospitals. Worked a few years as an office nurse for Drs. Fellows, Rosebrook and Schanke, Industrial Nurse at John Deere Des Moines Works, Grand Avenue Nursing Home and Director of Ames Visiting Nursing Service for 16 years. Probably her most challenging and exciting job was 8 months at De Gamles By, a nursing home in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Edith and Robert Wessel married at Bethesda Lutheran in Ames in 1951. They enjoyed traveling and living in many different places due to his studies and work. They lived and worked all over Europe for 6 years. They also enjoyed multiple trips to Europe including a 1973 six week camping trip with all five of their children.

Edith tried to convince the world she was of a generation too old to understand computers.  However, she learned to use her Zenith “laptop” with DOS, no hard drive and two floppy disks in the mid to late 80s.  She went on to have computers with every generation of Windows through Windows 7.  She selected The New York Times as the homepage for her browser.  She could type 90+ words per minute and spent her life corresponding with friends throughout Europe and the United States.

Survived by children and their spouses, one son, Keith (Lori) Wessel, Madison, WI, 4 daughters, Ellen (Jeff) Schuler, Stevens Point, WI, Beth (Tom) Wessel-Kroeschell, Ames, Rev. Cheryl Wessel, Oak Harbor, OH, and Joanne Ellarson, Mazomanie, WI, 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. 

Grandchildren are: Sven (Heather) Irwin, Madison, WI., Erik (Chelsea) Irwin, Dryden, Canada, Eleni (Will) Bray, Hannah (Craig) Beer and Sophie Schuler, Stevens Point, WI, Liza Kroeschell, San Francisco and Robbie Kroeschell, Iowa City, Kiri Wessel, Oak Harbor, OH and Wesley and Casey Ellarson, Black Earth, WI. Great Grandchildren are: Kinley and Kianna Irwin, Madison and Jayla, Aisha and Avannah Irwin in Canada, Asher and Oliver Bray in Stevens Point, WI. One Ryerson sister-in-law, Donna Ryerson Peterson survives and two sisters-in-law Betty Dodge and Donna Erickson of Oklahoma and one brother-in- law, Tom Wessel of Bozeman, Montana plus many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents Oscar and Liza Ryerson, Husband Robert, Brothers: Lawrence, Leslie, Obert, Eide, Theodore and Rinard. 4 brothers-in-law: Carol, Clair, Bud and Jim Wessel and 2 sisters-in-law Helen Policastri, Katherine (Irene) Eschbach and Marilyn Wessel and niece Karen Wertz.

Memorials suggested for Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance in Ames, Amnesty International or a charity of your choice.

I only got to know Edith fairly recently. She was member of the Mary Greeley Medical Center therapy pool exercise class that I still attend. Edith always had a smile and a greeting for everyone. Even after she could no longer come to the pool, she remained involved. Edith might join us for a lunch out or contribute to a Sunshine Basket if one of us was ill or recently had surgery. I remember stopping to pick up an item for a basket from her, she loved to hear about our family and she would tell me about her grandchildren and what they were doing. Edith will be missed by everyone who knew her, she made a world a better place.

Catherine Shireman Parrish

Hello Beth. Just wanted to send my condolences to your family. I’m glad I had the opportunity to meet your mother and I still remember when she told Robbie I was a keeper and to hear her stories of being a nurse during WW2. Just know I am thinking of your family!

Khadidja

Beth,

Thank you for letting me know. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with all of you. I will truly miss Edith. I so enjoyed my time with her.

Sincerely,

Janet Seim Bunker

I will definitely miss her! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. She was an amazing lady, that’s for sure.

Alisa Holmbeck

Sorry to hear your sad news but so happy that she is back with your Dad. How great that you all got together such a short time ago. Hope you all have great memories to share as you celebrate her life.

Debbie Zillmer Hoppe

My sincere sympathy for the loss of your mother- we had many visits at the therapy pool. Great lady.

Jacqueline Bell

Dear Wessel Family,

 When we moved to Ames as students, Edith and Bob welcomed us to Lord of Life Lutheran and ISU with warm hospitality, great stories and conversations, and wonderful suppers.  They modeled openness, generosity, and a faith grounded in justice, compassion, and nonviolence. They were the couple we aspired to be as we “grew older”!   Although it wasn’t often that we passed through Ames in subsequent years, but we always knew we would be welcome to stop in. These visits were so meaningful and fun.  I especially appreciated the visit and lunch we had at their apartment when traveling with my mom and dad about 6-7 years ago.  I had always wished that my parents could know Edith and Bob.  And, then they got to share in a lovely meal and talk about Denmark and Iowa and their children. So lovely! 

I am so very sad to hear of Edith’s death and feel it is so untimely as Edith had so much more wisdom to impart, people to encourage, questions to ask, letters and emails, posts and calls to make, fun to be had, and family and friends to cherish.   Her spirit will always enliven and encourage us.  Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.  Thank you for sharing your Mom and Dad with us.

Andrea Hansen and Curtis Miller
Sparta, WI

Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved mom.

Estela Alesna Ohlrogge

Joanne, my heart and prayers are with you. Now, and for the unexpected times your loss will speak to you. Bless and love.

Lisa Ailshie

Keith, what a loss, we are so sorry and send our deep condolences. Marc and Jo

Jo Thomson

A lady after my own heart. Organize events forever. Memories

Jan Ruckman

Sorry for the loss Keith and family

Curtis Barker

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Edith was a long-time friend of the Hadwiger family. Warm, smart, fun. This photo says so much about the community she created.

David Hadwiger

She was an amazing lady, May she Rest In Peace

Susan Bartsch.

I am so sorry. It appears she had a good life.

Greg Fumelle

Beautifully written memorial. Her spirit and giving with all her heart to issues that were and are in today’s world are well stated. A very caring, loving woman. We will miss her.

Norma Ness Aspengren

Out deepest sympathies to the Wessel family. Aunt Edith will truly be missed. Loved how she made the Ryerson family history come to life. Mike and Christine and family

Christine Coleman Ryerson

Thank you so much for the note. I look forward to more news. My sympathy.

Glenice Varley

Your mom was a true force for good in this world. Beautiful tribute. So sorry.

Barbara Johnson

What a joy that she organized and took that photo recently. Our hearts go out to you and your family in dealing with such a loss! Eat kumla!!

Karine Fritsch Mclaughlin

She will be missed! Hugs

Roberta Ryerson

Praying for her and the family... very nice lady.. Rest In Peace!!

Kit Calunsod Hadwiger

So sorry to see this, Keith. We send our sincere condolences.

James Rowen

Cheryl, sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. I always enjoyed visiting with her when I was in Ames

Karen Rosar

Keith, I am shocked to read this. Edith was my dear friend from Iowa Lutheran. We have communicated frequently but because of both of our health situations have not been able to see each other. She has recently had so many family pictures posted on Facebook that I have enjoyed seeing. I will watch for more details of her obituary. My sympathy to all of her dear family.

Leone Dunkelberg

So sorry, Keith. My mom was also an organizer of family events, and made sure we all stayed in loving connection. Wonderful memory to share of your mom and all of her progeny. With love like that, there's no question that her memory and love will endure, and be with you always.

John Quinlan

Our deepest sympathy to you & your family. Edith Ann is my mother’s (Ruth Dahl Allbert) 1st cousin. I have fond memories visiting her during our visits to Ames.

Martha Allbert Sanderson

I am so sorry for your loss. Let me know if you need help with anything or anything at all. I'm just an email or a call away.

Brooklynn Seller

Prayers for you and your family! I knew your parents when my former spouse was pastor at Lord of Life in Ames, and it’s been such a joy to reconnect with your mom through Facebook in recent years.

Kay Kinkel

I'm sorry Keith. I have enjoyed hearing you talk about her. Sounds like she was a remarkable human.

Kris Lehker

Oh No... I am so sorry. I loved Edith. So glad you all got together recently. Love the photo. Thinking of you and all the Wessel clan. Send healing and peace.

Vickie Heather

Oh Keith and Joanne, so sorry to hear this news. What a beautiful family.

Michele Perreault

Sorry to hear this. Quite a family. The world will be a little lonelier place for all of you. Be well.

Rick Dahlgren

Sorry for your loss. Hugs from all of us in Milwaukee.

Sam McGovern-Rowen

Such a vibrant woman, filled with compassion & integrity - she will be deeply missed by many, many people, and I am one of those who is terribly saddened by this news.. My deepest sympathy to all the family & friends who loved her.💙🌷�

Kl Olafsdottir

Ah Keith,sorry to hear the news.She was awfully special.

Jim McElherne

She was such a lovely woman, Beth. I feel lucky to of had the opportunity to get to know her. My thoughts are with you and your family

Barb Wheelock

I am so very sorry for your loss. I did not know your mother, but I knew of her reputation as a strong warrior for social justice. My heart is with you today, Keith, and for your whole family.

Eric Nelson

What a dear lady! I enjoyed getting to know her when the St. Andrew's ladies met at her home for book club. I will miss her.

Nora Nelson

Deepest sympathy Keith, I had a deep love and awe for your mother, one day she took time with me to show me all the clippings she had kept of my mother when the nurses went on strike, back in 69

She was a real inspiration

Sheri Moothart-Catus