Benjamin Wessels

Memorial Services for Benjamin Wessels will be held on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Word Teaching Center in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Curtis Pfeil officiating.  Inurnment will follow at the Alma Cemetery in Alma.

Benjamin "Ben" Wessels, 52 years of age, of rural Alma, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2015 at his home.  Benjamin was born January 15, 1963 in Alma, the youngest of three boys born to Hans, Sr. and Barbara (Muir) Wessels. Ben grew up and spent his whole life on the family farm southwest of Alma. Ben was diagnosed at a early age with Cerebral Palsy. He had difficulty with speech, but enjoyed life to the fullest. After learning to ride a bicycle he moved on to a 3 wheeler in his teenage years. He received his education from the New View School in Oxford, Nebraska and was later employed by Mid-Nebraska Individual Services (MNIS) in Oxford and the Oxford Recycling Center.

Ben enjoyed helping with the family chores, including feeding the sheep and hogs. He discovered the fine art of "mudding" on his ATV and loved to find a good bog to plow in. After his parents passed away, his brother Hans decided to see if Ben could get a driver's license. The driving part came easy, but passing the exam took many hours of work by Hans and Ben. Eventually he succeeded and his whole world changed. Freedom to drive meant lunch at Bugbee's, bowling, movies, and of course church with his extended family at the Word Teaching Center.  He also took great pride in his job at the Oxford Recycling Center, rarely missing a day of work.  He was always happy and laughing.  The small town atmosphere was very good for Ben.  He was well known and well-liked by everyone.  He will be remembered at MNIS as being kind-hearted toward everyone at work.

Ben loved to travel and enjoyed many Bus Tours with his parents.  He loved watching Husker Football and Kansas City Royals Baseball. Jesse and Hans learned not to bother Ben when the Royals were on TV. He also was a fan of the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, but the Huskers and Royals were number one for Ben. Ben and his brothers attended several Royals games over the years.  He also enjoyed attending movies at the Parrot Movie Theatre in Alma and parades in Alma, Beaver City and Stamford, Nebraska.    He loved to listen to all music but was very fond of the music at the Word Teaching Center.  It took very little to get Ben up and dancing.

He was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Clay Wessels; and many aunts and uncles.

Ben leaves to mourn his passing, his two brothers: Hans Wessels, Jr. of rural Alma and Jesse Wessels of rural Alma; one niece, Sydni Wessels of Kansas City; several cousins, other relatives and many friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing.  The family has chosen cremation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The family suggests memorials be made to the Parrot Movie Theater in Alma in Ben's memory.