Jennie E. Ruppel Bessel

Jennie passed away surrounded by her five children and extended family. She was born on 2/2/22 in Danbury Connecticut to William and Eunice Williams Ruppel. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Henry A Bessel Sr., of 67 years.

Jennie had a talent and eye for style. She worked for Henry Dick and Son as an Upholster and Window Dresser and later her love of sewing was instrumental in acquiring a job as managing supervisor of the Brookside Shirt Company in Danbury as part of the war effort. After the war, she and her husband opened and ran the Hotel Ledgemere on Ball Pond in New Fairfield for many years. While raising her family she continued to work in the retail business, retiring from Steinbeck’s Department store (formerly Howlands and Genungs) in 1991. She will always be remembered affectionately to her family as Jennie Genungs.

She was an avid bowler and golfer winning numerous awards including being a member of the “200” Club at Holiday Bowl. She was founding member of the Danbury Wamego’s, winning their first Annual Golf tournament in 1957. Her involvement in civic organizations lead to her serving as president of many including, the Odd Fellows Rebekah Lodge, the Grange, and Park Avenue School PTA.

She was predeased by her sister, Margaret Ruppel Clark, and two brothers Henry Kenneth Ruppel, William G. Ruppel II and daughter in-law, Yvonne Jacquith Bessel. Her surviving family include her son Henry Bessel and wife Margaret; Constance Strait and husband William; Patricia Hiro and husband Paul; Denise Bessel and husband Amin Pandolfi; and Lori Wallace and husband Chris; thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was is also survived by her sister-in-law Francis Ruppel and several nieces and nephews as well as her new extended family and caregivers at Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center, whose care was invaluable throughout her and her family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Calling Hours will be on Thursday, September 29 from 5-8 at the Green Funeral Home and the funeral will be held on Friday, September 30 at 11:00 at St. James Church in Danbury.

The family wishes in lieu of flowers to make any contributions to The Danbury High Jennie Bessel Young Woman’s Golf Scholarship. Please direct gifts to the Danbury High School