Henrietta Helen Wessel – Edgewood

Henrietta Helen Wessel, 92, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025,
at Finley Hospital in Dubuque. She was born on May 9, 1933, in Strawberry Point, the daughter of
Henry and Martha (Reimer) Lubben.

Henrietta was raised and educated in the Greeley area, she
attended a country school and then finished her education at Colesburg.

Henrietta met her husband Harlyn Wessel while she lived in Dubuque. The two were united in
marriage after he returned from his military service on September 19, 1953, in Decorah, Iowa.
They made their home in Edgewood where they raised their three children. Henrietta worked at
the battery factory in Edgewood and candled eggs at the Hagensick Hatchery. She then began
work at the new Edgewood Convalescent Home where she was an aide for 35 years. She was a
lifelong and oldest member of the Edgewood Bible church. Henrietta loved to bake, embroidery,
and spend time with her children and grandchildren.
Henrietta had a spark and joy for life that made every moment with her unforgettable. She loved
having fun, especially the thrill of riding around town in her ’77 T-Bird. She even put a CB radio in
the car, proudly going by her handle, “Foxy Lady,” while her beloved Harlyn, “the Griz,” rode
beside her.

She adored her family with a love that had no limits. One of her favorite memories was getting her
granddaughter to squeal the tires on a Camaro, laughing while Shanna called out, “hang on to your
wig, Gram!” Those moments, full of mischief, laughter, and pure joy- were who she was at heart.
Her personality was bigger than life, her compassion was endless, and her faith in Jesus guided her
every day. She loved fiercely, lived boldly, and gave her whole heart to the people she cherished
and to all she cared for in her years of work at the Edgewood Convalescent home.
Survivors include one daughter, Julie Bushaw, Dubuque; two sons, Steven (Julie) Wessel,
Colesburg, and Jerry (Marcia) Wessel, Edgewood; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Doug) Wolff, Jaci
(Mark Schwab) Bushaw, Shanna (Joshua) Katcher, Shane (Abby) Wessel and Caleb (Ashley)
Wessel; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Francis “Tony” Lubben, Greeley; and several
nieces and nephews.
Henrietta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harlyn in 2005; and brothers,
Donald (Maxine) Lubben and Chester Lubben; sister-in-law, Virginia Lubben; and nephew David
Lubben.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com .

Funeral Service: 2:30 p.m., Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Edgewood Bible Church, Edgewood,
Iowa, with Pastor Archer Woodstock officiating.
Visitation: 1:30-2:30 p.m., Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Edgewood Bible Church, Edgewood,
Iowa.
Interment: Private family graveside service at the Edgewood City Cemetery.