Alice M. Wessel

Alice M. (Eichsteadt) Wessel, 90, formerly of 420 Amory
Street, Fond du Lac, was called to
her eternal home on Thursday, July
9, 2020, while residing at Adelaide Place
Assisted Living. She was born on April 27, 1930 in Marquette County, Wisconsin,
the sixth child of Albert and Clara (Zabel) Eichsteadt. During the first part
of her childhood, Alice lived on a farm near Neshkoro, Wisconsin. Although her
family lost their farm due to the Great Depression, Alice retained her interest
in farming, her appreciation of nature (especially birds), and her love of
gardening throughout her life. Upon leaving the farm, the Eichsteadt family
moved to Montello, Wisconsin, where they joined St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Alice was a 1948 graduate of Montello High School. After high school, Alice
attended UW – Stevens Point, where she majored in education, focusing on the
educational needs of rural schools. Her teaching career took her to the New
London area, where she met her future husband, Roger Wessel.

Alice and
Roger Wessel were married on August 7, 1954, in Sugarbush, Wisconsin. Alice
soon became a stay at home mom, eventually having six boys and one girl to
raise, but stayed connected to teaching by assisting and supporting Roger in
his work as an elementary school teacher. During their 52-year marriage Roger
and Alice made their home in several different communities: New London,
Milwaukee, and LaCrosse, WI, Johnson MN, Columbus, WI, and finally Fond du Lac,
where Alice and her family became members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Alice
remained a member of St. Peter’s for the rest of her life. Although her health
did not permit her to attend church often in her later years, when she was able
to attend, she truly enjoyed visiting with the young mothers who were caring
for their children in the Cry Room. Her enjoyment of one-on-one conversations
was evident in her interactions with her neighbors, her children’s friends, and
those who worked with her and visited her at Adelaide Place.

Alice is
survived by five children: Sherwood (Elizabeth) Wessel of St. James, Minnesota, Nathan
Wessel of Fond du Lac, Dr. Jeremy
Wessel of Memphis
Tennessee, Rev.
Benjamin (Lynn) Wessel of West Allis, Heidi (Bruce) Zabel of Fond du Lac;
grandchildren and great grandchildren: David (Marci) Wessel (children Nathanael
and Lucas) of McKinney, Texas, Kristina (Caleb) Troge (children Levi, Grace,
Miriam, and Genesis) of Jackson, Tennessee, Faith (Pierre) Ziehli
of Dortmund, Germany, and Rachel
(Avery) Herrig of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, Josiah Zabel of Fond du Lac, Hannah Zabel of Kissimmee, Florida,
and Jedidiah Zabel of Milwaukee. She is further survived by cousins, nieces,
and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons,
Matthew and Nicholas Wessel; her brothers, Harold and Wilfred Eichsteadt; and her sisters,
Irma Westfield, and Adeline and Arlene Eichsteadt.

VISITATION:
Friends and family may call on Friday, July 17, 2020 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM and
again on Saturday, July 18, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at Kurki Funeral Chapel
& Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac.

SERVICE:
Funeral services will take place at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 18, 2020, at
Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory, with Rev. Michael Zuberbier
officiating.  Entombment will follow at Ledgeview
Memorial Park.

In lieu of
flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Peter’s Lutheran School Tuition
Assistance Fund.

Alice’s
family would like to thank Adelaide Place and Heartland Hospice for the
compassionate care they have provided during the past 2 years.

Kurki
Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkifuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420