Michelle Wessel

Michelle Wessel, age 55, of Council Grove passed away September 3, 2022 at Salina Regional Medical Center, Salina, KS.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Greenwood Cemetery, Council Grove, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas State University Foundation, Veterinary Health Center Shelter Medicine Fund (K38612) c/o Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS  66846.  Condolences may be left at www.sawyerchapel.com

Michelle, or Shelly as she was known to many, was born June 19, 1967 to Henry R. and Bernadine K. (Rees) Wessel in Emporia, KS. She grew up and attended schools in Medicine Lodge, KS, graduating from Medicine Lodge High School in 1985.  After high school she attended and graduated from Emporia State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

After graduation, Michelle worked in children’s daycare in Emporia and Wichita.  She later returned to Emporia and was employed in Emergency Room Registration at Newman Regional Health.  Enticed by the mountainous beauty of Utah, Michelle traveled to Provo, where she worked for Sirius Radio as a Customer Care Specialist.  She later returned to Gardner, KS where she was most recently employed as a Claims Processor for Farmers Insurance Group until chronic illness resulted in her permanent disability.  She moved to Council Grove, KS in 2018 to be closer to family.  Michelle resided at Diversicare of Council Grove Healthcare Center.

Good music was something Michelle enjoyed, especially 1980 tunes.  Mystery books were a salvation for her as well.  Always fond of cats and other animals, Michelle had an affection for anything cuddly that would provide her with comfort and security.  She also liked pictures of customized muscle cars.  She loved flowers and her favorite color was purple.

Survivors include her father, Henry R. Wessel of Council Grove; her siblings Barry Wessel and wife, Jill of Council Grove; Carol Spencer and husband, Steve of Emporia; Keith Wessel and wife, Allicia of Council Grove; and all her aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins, including special friends that she considered family.

Michelle was preceded in death by her mother; her maternal and paternal grandparents; aunt, Maxine L. (Wessel) Soule; uncle, Ron Wessel; uncle, Don G. Rees; cousins Dianne (Rees) Loddy and Don W. Rees.