Dolores Ann Wessel

Sweet mother of Karen (Wessel) Henson (deceased 2010)(Don), Deborah Wessel, Michael Wessel (Pamela), and Christopher Wessel (Leesa).

Grandmother of Karen’s children Mika Dawn (Henson) White, Jonathan Henson, Dustin Henson; of Deborah’s children Jennifer (Fisher) Gilson (Dane), Sarah (Rowan) Wilson (Patrick); Michael’s children Jason Wessel (Bethany), Emily Wessel (Shannon Taylor), Michael Wessel (Lacey), Chris Daniel Wessel (Melissa), Kari (Wessel) Garcia (Alvaro), Nicole (Lemon) Newman (Frank), Christina Lemon, Nicolas Lemon; Christopher’s children Chris Wessel Jr (Talina), Shawn Wessel (Bethany), Derrick Wessel (Amy), Elizabeth (Wessel) Cordova, Aaron Wessel (Vida).

Great Grandmother to Michael, Brennen, Kelsey and Taylor; Debany, Myanna, Porter and Terra; Michael, Lonnie, Joshua, Kylee, Jenna, Jonathan, Caiden, Sylis, Maximus, Dylan, Kira, Keegan, Alina, Jacob, Jarod, Sadie, Ethan, Jakey, Mia; Hadyn, Evan, Niki, Anthony, Virginia, Charlotte, Caroline, Brooke, Lilly, Clay, Rylee, Liam, Bear.

Born July 4, 1932 in Mulberrry, Arkansas, to John and Stella (Isaacs) Patterson. Her brothers John Eldridge and Jimmie preceded her in death. Her only sister Muriel Jean (Patterson) Scott resides in Orosi, California. Dolores resided in Visalia, California at the time of her death, Sunday May 15, 2016.

Dolores’ parents brought their family to California from Arkansas during the depression. She married Donald Wayne Wessel in 1950 while he was in the Navy. He called her “Lorsey” often, especially when they played cards with their friends Don and Marie Hill. All of Dolores’ children were born in Visalia, California except for Deborah who was born at the Navy Hospital in San Diego, California. Dolores was a homemaker and stay at home mother most of her life. However, she did work with her parents and siblings in the fruit packing industry as a child and later when she was married to make extra money. She enjoyed working alongside her mother and had her children working alongside on occasion as well.

Don and Dolores started their own business along with daughter Karen when they decided to use the “five acres” to plant fig trees. They picked, packed and shipped figs from Don Dee Figs. It was hard work but they enjoyed it for years. They loved going to the farmer’s market to sell and barter their figs.

Dolores was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in various callings, including counselor in the Relief Society. She had a strong testimony of the Gospel which she instilled in her children. She is sealed to Don for time and all eternity along with her children.

Dolores loved flowers and plants and enjoyed tinkering in her yard and garden. She loved to cook and shared that love with her daughters. Family was everything to her. She loved visits from her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

We all remember lots of good times at Grandma Wessel’s house. From Thanksgiving dinners to Easter egg hunts, memories of Mom and Grandma Dee will be with us forever. We will miss her.

Visitation will be held on May 27, 2016 at 9am to 10am with Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4000 W Caldwell Ave, Visalia, CA 93277 followed by Graveside at Visalia Public Cemetery.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 732-8371.