Frank J. Wessel, 69, of Axtell, died Tuesday morning, June 23, 2015, at the University Medical Center in Omaha.

He was born December 12, 1945 to Albert H. and Lucille J. Kramer Wessel, east of Kelly on the family farm. He attended school in Kelly and graduated with the Class of 1963.

He worked for Vern Bergman farm in Missouri after leaving home. He soon went to work for Pepsi-Cola in Kansas City. In 1965, he began employment with Buick-Pontiac Manufacturer. Frank joind the Kansas National Guards in Kansas in 1964 and then was drafted in 1968, and served his country at Fort Carson in Colorado until 1969; he was discharged with a rank of E6 in January 10, 1971.

On April 20, 1968, he married Cheryl Rottinghaus at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

After his service to his country, the couple moved to Silver Lake, Kansas. He was employed by Western Fidelity Life Insurance out of Wichita, until 1972. March of 1972, the family moved to a farm near Axtell. Frank enjoyed doing some farming, while also being employed by Industrial Mill Works. He retired from Sure Crop in 2012 after ten years with the company. In his retirement he served part time for the Nemaha County Sheriff Department as a Correction Officer; and helped Dan Broxterman with his farming.

After his retirement Frank enjoyed hunting, horses, cattle, and taking motorcycle rides and spending time with family.

Frank was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville, St. Joseph Society, Baileyville Knights of Columbus Council #13087, R.R. Hendricks American Legion Post 214 in Axtell, Post 21 American Legion Riders, the Pony Express Re-Riders, JTPA (Job Training Placement Association) and the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital Board.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Cheryl; a son, Darron (Sheri) Wessel of Sabetha; two daughters, Marsha (Tim) Grossnickle of Corning and Tarese (David) Hammes of Seneca; three sisters, Rose Wilhelm of Seneca, Alice Hards of Oneida and Rita Pfannenstiel of Silver Lake; twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert on April 15, 2001 and Lucille on January 6, 2005; a granddaughter, Olivia Grossnickle on March 22, 2015; and a sister, Karen Curtis on September 4, 1996.

Rosaries will be prayed on Friday, June 26th at 2 & 7 at the Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 10:30AM at Sacred Heart’s Catholic Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Full military honors will be provided by the R. R. Hendricks American Legion Post #214. A flag line will be provided by the American Legion Riders Post #21.

Memorials will be designated later.