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Grace A. Wessendorf, 89, of Newell died peacefully Jan. 3, 2025, at Loring Hospital in Sac City. She was surrounded by family who loved her and will miss her.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, Jan. 11, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Newell. Burial will be in Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, Jan. 10, from 5-7 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Grace was born Jan. 27, 1935, to Ernest and Florine (Wright) Piercy in Newell. She was baptized and confirmed at First Congregational Church in Newell, where she remained a lifelong member. Grace attended school in Newell, graduating in 1952.
On June 15, 1952, Grace was united in marriage to Bill Wessendorf at First Congregational Church. The couple was blessed with four daughters: Suana, Lauri, Launi and Alicia.
Bill and Grace owned and operated the Station, Bill’s Standard in Newell, until 1999, including 24-hour wrecker service. She worked at Newell Mirror for over 25 years as a reporter, photographer, graphic designer and ad sales. Grace was most known for her role as the business manager for both Newell Providence and Newell-Fonda School District from 1977 to 2003. She belonged to Newell Women's Auxiliary, Red Hats Society, Mrs. 500 and Sunday night bridge club. In 1969, she was Headquarters Chairman of Newell Centennial steering committee, a community she was very proud of. Grace loved music, especially singing with her friend Harriette Laursen for the Newell Homecoming parade popcorn ball float and many other town events.
Grace was a faithful member of First Congregational Church in Newell. She served as secretary and treasurer for over 25 years and was also Sunday school superintendent for many years. Every week after church, Bill and Grace would join Don and Marcella Piercy for Sunday dinner. They also enjoyed getting together with their card club friends. More than anything, Grace treasured time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandson. She loved taking her family on trips, especially every five years to Estes Park, Colo. Grace was an avid supporter of her daughters, grandkids and great-grandkids in their various activities over the decades.
Left to cherish Grace’s memory include her daughters: Suana Wessendorf of Sac City; Lauri (Mitch) Lyman of Newell; Launi Dane (Rich Wagner) of New London; Alicia Bohlke of Polk City; grandchildren: Mandy (Brad) Mahler, Justin (Ginger) Lyman, Kristopher (Shanie) Dane, Kraig Dane, Daniel (Rosalie) Dubbohlke and Trevor (Anelyse) Bohlke; great-grandchildren: Aden (Peyton) Mahler, Treyton Mahler, Nevaeh and Guyson Lyman, Maci Parcel, Charlotte Dane and Jackson Bohlke; great-great-grandchild, Wesley Mahler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband Bill Wessendorf; parents, Ernest and Florine Piercy; brother Don (Marcella) Piercy; sister June (Bob) Parker; parents-in-law, William and Alice Wessendorf; brothers-in-law, George (Ruth) Wessendorf and Fred (Donna) Wessendorf; great-grandson Charles Ray Dane; and special nephew Frank Parker.
