Michelle Lynn Wessel, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend, left this world to join Our Heavenly Father on March 17, 2021. She was born in Seneca, KS on September 25, 1974 to Clet and Mary Jane Wessel. Michelle grew up in Salem and graduated 1993 from Sacred Heart in Falls City where she lettered in track and volleyball and was a member of the 4H club. As a Senior in high school, Michelle was involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in severe head trauma and a severed spinal cord and other numerous injuries. She completed six months of rehabilitation at Madonna Rehab in Lincoln. Despite the new challenges, Michelle persistently achieved her goal of continuing her education. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the College of St. Mary’s in Omaha in 1997 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Information Management. Michelle used her degree in her employment with Bryan LGH for 10 years and currently with St. Elizabeth Hospital for approximately 13 years. She was a member of the American Health Information Management Association and the National Cancer Registrars Association and several other professional organizations.
Michelle was admired for her independence, strong will and loyalty. She had a kind, honest, and generous nature that was exhibited by her many self-less acts and contributions. She routinely donated to the Sacred Heart School, St. Mary’s College, the ASPCA, the Humane Society, several food pantries, homeless shelters, St. Jude’s, various Veterans organizations, the CHI Heart Foundation, and many more. Michelle also promoted the MADD organization where she conducted presentations and promoted awareness. She was known for her other volunteer work with the North American Martyrs School and the mentoring of various neighborhood children.
Michelle greatly enjoyed sewing, baking, experimenting with recipes, playing her keyboard and beating everyone at pool. She constantly had sewing projects for the family and was currently making masks for anyone and everyone that wanted them. She was known as the Cheesecake Queen and her homemade Eggnog was awarded as a family favorite. Michelle also spent a lot of time as an extreme advocate for recycling. She believed she could single-handedly impact the world with her recycling efforts. She collected any and all recyclables, and strongly encouraged everyone to do their part for the environment.
Michelle’s greatest loves were her kitty boy, Bo, and her nieces and nephews. She is Survived by her mother, Mary Jane Wessel, her siblings, Edward (Andrea) Wessel of Crocker, MO; Melanie Rieger of Falls City, NE; Janelle (Dave) Sterling of Iola, KS; nieces Mickaela Wessel, Jessica Smith, Samantha Wessel, Summer Erickson; nephews Blake Gilkerson; Gabriel Canonico, Elijah Canonico, Beau Erickson, and Garrett Reiger and many Aunts and Uncles, Cousins and Friends.
She was Preceded in death by her father, Cletus Wessel ; grandparents Barbara Marie and Henry Buessing; Gertrude and George Meggers; Henry Wessel; and cousins, Barbara Esselborn, Nicholas Stallbaumer and Brenda Thomas.
Honorary Pall Bearers: Russel Lierz, Bill Koch, Blake Gilkerson, Beau Erickson, Mickaela Wessel, Samantha Wessel, Summer Erickson and Garrett Rieger.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church with Father Lawrence Stoley as the presiding priest.
Inurnment will be in Maple Cemetery at Salem.
The Mass will be livestreamed on Dorr and Clark Funeral Home’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dorrandclarkfuneralhome
A Parish Rosary will be recited on Thursday at 6:30 P. M at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with family greeting friends following the rosary.
A second Parish Rosary will be recited on Friday one hour prior to service at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Masks required for all services.
