Obituary for Robert "Bob" Gerd Wessels

Robert "Bob" Gerd Wessels was born February 12,1934 to Adolph and Johanna Wessels. Bob was one of four children and grew up on a farm 7 miles north of Independence Iowa.

Bob attended Buchannan County Rural School #5 and Independence High School. After graduation in 1951, Bob farmed for two years with his "Opa", dad, older brother Harry and younger brother Lawrence "Lornie". During this time Bob met and dated Margie Harris. 

Marge and Bob both did volunteer work for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence. Bob received God's call while at camp and soon after was enrolled at Wartburg College in Waverly Iowa where he took pre-theological studies for ministry. 

Bob and Marge were married August 14,1955 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. After Bob graduated college in 1957, they moved to Dubuque Iowa, and he began seminary studies to become a minister. Bob and Marge were then called to their first church in Missouri followed by serving a congregation in Nebraska and numerous congregations in Iowa. 

In 2018, Bob and Marge moved to Lincoln Nebraska to be close to three of their five children. Bob died Easter weekend on Saturday April 4, 2026.

Bob is survived by his wife Marge, sister Linda Cole, son Marcus Wessels (Leisa), daughter Deborah Marr (Bill), son Daniel Wessels, son David Wessels (Mary), daughter Ann Ling (Buddy), numerous grandchildren, brother in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 512 5th Street NE, Independence, IA. Refreshments will be served
following the service.

Memorials may be given to the following charities in Bob's name, St Jude's (http://www.stjude.org) or Mercy Ship (https://partner.mercyships.org).