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Roger Wessling, 73

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Roger Paul Wessling passed away suddenly at the MCHHS on November 20th, 2020. Roger was born at the Mitchell County Hospital on February 17th, 1947 to Paul and Ruth (Davis) Wessling. He was the oldest of five children and was raised in Beloit, Kan.
Roger learned the value of hard work early in life. He started helping his dad on the farm at age 10, and was soon refinishing chairs for the St. John's rectory. He attended St. John's Catholic School and graduated in 1965.
Roger was drafted into the US Army in October 1967. He completed basic training at Fort Campbell, Ky., and went on to Fort Polk, La., for Advanced Individual Training. He shipped out to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, in February 1968 with the 4th Infantry Division and was later assigned to C Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 8th Infantry as a rifleman. Roger served in Vietnam for 14 months, reaching the rank of Sergeant E-5. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, a mark of distinction for the fighting soldier.
He enrolled at Fort Hays State in the fall of 1971. Roger graduated with a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Agriculture in 1975. During his time at FHSU, Roger met and fell in love with Ardella Vetter. They married on May 24th, 1975 and returned to Beloit to start a life together. They settled into her grandparents' farmhouse north of Solomon Rapids and were blessed with two daughters, Natalie and Sandra. Roger worked with his father-in-law and brothers-in-law managing the farming operation until 1993, when they built a home in Beloit.
During his farming years, Roger served on boards for the Farmway Co-Op, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Mitchell County Cattlemen's Association. He was also a township trustee and served on the church council at the Zion Lutheran Church.
Roger was an avid reader who enjoyed woodworking, gardening and fishing. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, and he loved nothing more than spending time with his two grandchildren, Liam and Mila.
Preceding Roger in death were his parents, Paul and Ruth Wessling; in-laws Don and Betty Vetter; his sister, Joan Wessling and brother-in-law, Mike Gray.
Left to celebrate his life are his wife Ardella; daughters Natalie Lucas and husband Jason of Shawnee, Kan., Sandy Nielson and husband Jacob of Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Liam (14) and Mila Lucas (8); sister Rose (Harry) Matous; brothers David (Pam) Wessling, Dan Wessling; brothers-in-law Ken Vetter, Sid (Virginia) Vetter, Russell, Kan., and several loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family-only funeral services will take place at the Zion Lutheran Church. Graveside services open to the public will take place at 11 AM Wednesday, November 25, at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-7 PM Tuesday at the Roberts Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Port Library, Zion Lutheran Church, or Mitchell County Veterans Memorial.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA