We remember with warmth and delight our dear mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Christina Johanna Wessels, who passed away on February 9, 2013, at the Sanford Medical Center of Luverne, Minnesota. Born in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, on September 9, 1920, to the Reverend Peter and Ella DeBuhr, Christina spent her early years growing up with her family in the Ellsworth, Minnesota, parsonage of the Bethel Reformed Church, where her father served as minister. An unrepentant optimist with a bit of a penchant for adventure and mischief, especially when in the company of her sister, Amanda, Christina always took pleasure in living life to the fullest. She was a very caring person, yet she also had that little twinkle in her eye (and even a giggle now and then) that let you know she just wasn't going to take it all too seriously.
Christina married her sweetheart, Joe Wessels, on January 2, 1942, and except for the two-year separation while Joe fought overseas during World War II, the two were never apart during their 70 years of marriage until Joe's passing on September 5, 2012. In the tradition of the classic Midwest farm family, Christina was a true partner to Joe as they made their life together farming, raising their family, and serving their church and community, always working together.
Christina gave birth to their three children, Robert Wessels, Barbara Kistler Johnson and Sandra Renz, and provided them unflagging support as she helped guide them through their college years and encouraged them as they raised families of their own. In addition to her son and daughters, Christina's family includes her grandchildren, Faith and Garth Smith, Michael Kistler, Robert Kistler, Julia Kistler, Christian Renz and Sarah Renz, and her great grandchildren Grace Smith and Kingston Smith.
As humble as she was, Christina was a woman of exceptional talents. She was great at sewing, and she had a gift for embroidery. She certainly could work in the field and garden, but she loved to cook and always was pulling some new recipe from the paper or a magazine that she just had to try.
Through the good times and bad, Christina was the stalwart of the Joe & Christina Wessels family. Whether it was the hard work of being a partner in their farming, the transitions of retirement, or the more recent times of challenging health issues, Christina never lost her willingness to embrace the challenges and make the best of life. Not one to fall prey to pride or pretense, Christina was a vital source of spiritual guidance and encouragement to her family. She truly embraced a life of strong family values, close family ties, and commitment to church and faith.
Christina joins her parents, sisters and brothers who have preceded her, Peter & Ella DeBuhr, Calvin & Pearl DeBuhr, Margaret & Weert Huisman, Harm Becker, Herman DeBuhr, and Elmer and Alma DeBuhr. Her sisters, Amanda Becker, and Ruth Van Aartsen, sister-in-law, Ethel DeBuhr and her brother-in-law John Van Aartsen, survive her.
Visitation will be from 3-6pm Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne; and one prior to the service at the church on Friday. Funeral will be 10:30am Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, in Luverne, officiated by Rev. Terry Morse. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Luverne.
To view an online obituary or a video tribute, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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