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Facts and Events
| Name |
Geneva Elizabeth Wessels |
| Gender |
Female |
| Birth? |
13 Dec 1920 |
Iroquois, Iroquois, Illinois, United States |
| Baptism[4] |
5 Jan 1921 |
Schwer, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesMap: Latitude: N40.6605600 Longitude: W87.7880600 Schwer Lutheran Church |
| Residence? |
1930 |
Crescent City, Iroquois, Illinois, United States |
| Confirmation[1] |
14 Apr 1935 |
|
| Graduation? |
30 May 1938 |
Watseka, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesMap: Latitude: N40.7761100 Longitude: W87.7363900 Watseka Community High School |
| Graduation[7] |
12 May 1942 |
Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United StatesMap: Latitude: N41.8500000 Longitude: W87.6500000 Augustana Hospital School of Nursing |
| Occupation[6] |
Bet 1942 and 1981 |
Registered Nurse Secondary date: 1 JUL 1942 |
| Other[5] |
Bet 1942 and 1947 |
United StatesSecondary date: 1 JUL 1942 Map: Latitude: N38.8969115 Longitude: W77.0316696 Military United States Army |
| Marriage |
22 Apr 1950 |
Crescent City, Iroquois, Illinois, United StatesSt. Peter Lutheran Church History of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Crescent City, Illinois by Shanda Jaremus [This writing/"talk" was put together by Shanda G. Jaremus for the Wessels family reunion on August 6, 2005, and was relayed as we toured the church] The growth of Crescent City with its businesses, etc. and the purchasing of area farmland etc. allowed many families from the Schwer area to relocate to Crescent City and surrounding area. Consequently Pastor Philip Ackermann of St. John's Lutheran church at Schwer ministered the first group of Lutheran who eventually came to be the founding fathers for St. Peters Then, in August 1887, pastor F. H. Stachling of Ash Grove officially organized the St. Peter's congregation and officers for the church were elected. Those officers were Friedrich Wessels, Elder; Claus claussen, Deacon; Alexander ulitsch and Gerd wilms, Trustees. For the first few years the worship services were held in Crescent City schools and in the congregational church (which I don't know where/what that is/was) -- I could only find a reference that it was a 28 x 38 foot building that was built in 1870. It was on a lot that was referenced as now being where the home of Mrs. Henry Willms was residing in 1976. From approximately 1887 to 1889 another pastor from Ash Grove, pastor William Engelbrecht served the congregation. In February 1889, at the yearly congregational meeting a resolution was made to build a church. Lots were purchased from a Mr. Harwood and a frame church was built -- size 28 by 40 ft. That first church was built across the street from where we are now. It looked a bit different from the present church in that everything was ground level. (Whereas this current church building is raised/build higher off the ground). The front entrance of the first church was built out from the main building and rose straight up, continuing above the top of the church roof and then going into the steeple. On one side of the church in the front was a white picket fence and in a picture that I saw you could see the roping out front which I believe was for the tying up of the horses/carriages. In that same year the congregation called its first "resident" pastor -- william. Weltner. A year later pastor C. Helmreich came from Nebraska and served the congregation for 47 years! The church grew steadily and in 1912 the congregation decided to build a new church. It was also a frame building, 40' by 70'. It was built across the street from the old original church and was dedicated on June 1, 1913. (Where we are now) It had a Hinners pipe organ, which the Luther League raised the funds for. In 1954 the congregation was able to build for the pastor and his family the home, which is located just to the north of the church. With continued growth in membership the congregation, in 1956, was able to begin plans for another expansion/building project which would allow for increased seating capacity in the church with additional space for Sunday School rooms and meeting rooms and a church office. The groundbreaking was held October 12, 1958. When this was completed a dedication service was held October 18, 1959. Within the church there were a number of organizations/groups. One of the original organizations for the women in the church was the -- American Lutheran Church Women. That organization was broken down into four circles/groups -- the Dorcas, the Martha, Mary and the Ruth circles. (It actually was originally was called 'The Ladies Aid Group') Each group had it's own area of activity that they would be responsible for. These groups usually dealt with 'mission' work. The men had 'the brotherhood' and they focused on financial support for any children in the congregation who would attend Bible camp, sponsoring father-son outings and took care of ground cover costs for the church (i.e. schrubbery) There also was a sewing circle, Luther League, Junior Lutheran Group, 2 choirs, along with a full Sunday School staff and cemetery staff. This church is a classic old German Lutheran style church -- with the gothic arched windows. The original structure is a rectangle with classic white clapboard wood-siding with a tall steeple. Interior is also classic with tall arched ceilings in gothic style, beautiful stained glass windows -- with aisle running down the middle and choir loft in the back balcony of the church. The altar, pulpit, etc are beautiful carved solid wood. It has a full serviceable basement with other meeting rooms with full kitchen and bathrooms. The cemetery for the church is just south of here on Route 49 on the east side of the road -- which the congregation also beautifully maintains. The original parsonage is still across the street -- slightly to the north. It is a two-story frame house that at the date is owned and lived in by Wayne Bruniga. St. Peter's has been beautifully maintained throughout the years -- the congregation has appreciated it's beauty and kept it pretty much "true to form and style" with tasteful improvements that do not detract from it's original design. Friedrich Wessels, who was a founding father of St. Peter's and all of his sons and their families and the subsequent following generations have worshipped in this church. They have had communion here. Have celebrated with weddings, baptisms, and have shed tears with the loss of loved ones at funerals, not only of their own families but also of those with their congregational friends.
to Carlton Edward Bode |
| Death[2] |
11 Jun 2003 |
Euclid, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States |
| Burial[3] |
16 Jun 2003 |
Cary, McHenry, Illinois, United StatesMap: Latitude: N42.2119400 Longitude: W88.2380600 Windridge Memorial Park Windridge Memorial Park and Nature Sanctuary 7014 South Rawson Bridge Rd. Cary, Illinois 60013 (847) 639-3883 |
| Alt Burial? |
16 Jun 2003 |
Cary, McHenry, Illinois, United StatesWindridge Memorial Park |
Blood type: "A"
December 20, 1988
She had surgery to remove cataract on one eye.
June 9, 1991
She had suffered a stroke affecting the left side of her body. She regained ability to walk, but not the full use of her left arm, especially the hand.
1946 Trained for and received her private airplane pilot's license under the GI Bill.
[Obituary from June 13, 2003 Pekin Times]
Geneva E. Bode, 82, of Euclid, Ohio, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at her residence. She was formerly of Pekin and Fox River Grove.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 27 Three Oaks Road, Cary. Burial will be in Windridge Cemetery in Cary.
Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church. Kale-Moore Funeral Home in Cary is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 24490 Euclid, Euclid, Ohio 44117.
She was born Dec. 13, 1920, in Iroquois County to William and Caroline Emma Wessels. She married Carlton E. Bode. She was preceded in death by her husband and two brothers. Surviving are five children, the Honorable Judge C. Brett (Carolyn) Bode of Pekin, the Rev. Kim E. (Anne) Bode of Hop Bottom, Pa., Kirk W. (Barb) Bode of Morton, the Rev. Craig H. (Mary) Bode of Euclid, Ohio, and Cathleen E. (Pat) Mangan of Sister Bay, Wisconsin.; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Bernice (Emil) Gotsch of Scottsdale, Ariz.
Bode was employed as a school nurse at Cary-Grove High School from 1961 to 1981. She served with the U.S. Army 81st Station Hospital in North Africa and Italy during World War II.
January 1998 -- Developed blockage in bowel.
April 24, 1998-- She was hospitalized at Good Shepherd Hospital with pneumonia; atrial fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
April 28, 1998 -- Bronchoscope showed no signs of cancer.
September 28, 1998-- She was hospitalized with breathing problems; confusion; sleeping a lot.
October 29, 1998-- She was hospitalized with fever, problems breathing; restless.
August 2000 -- Hospitalized and received skilled nursing.
October 2001 -- She was hospitalized with internal bleeding.
May 27, 2002 -- Fell and injured back/hip
June 2002 -- She was hospitalized following fall for pain and rehabilitation.
June 29, 2002 She moved to Cleveland to live with son Craig and family.
September 17, 2002 -- She had her remaining 8 teeth extracted in preparation for full dentures
_FSFTID: L625-81P
_AMTID: 250108267379:1030:113160583
_WEBTAG:
Name: Illinois, Tazewell County, Obituary Card Index from the "Pekin Times", 1914-2007
URL: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KXWV-Y4J
References
- ↑ United States. Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, 1781-1969. (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015)
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Chicago, Illinois.
_TMPLT:
FIELD:
Name: Page
VALUE: Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Chicago, Illinois
- ↑ June 11, 2003 -- She died peacefully at home of her son, Craig and daughter-in-law, Mary, with Craig, Mary, Kim and granddaughter, Jessica, at her side.
- ↑ Monday, June 16, 2003 -- Funeral service was conducted at 11 am by Rev. Robert M. Hess at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Cary, Illinois preceded by a time of visitation and followed by the committal at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary with full military honors.
- ↑ Rev. A. C. Krebs, Pastor
- ↑ 81st Army Hospital Unit
Initially appointed Reserve Nurse, Army Nurse Corps with the relative rank of Second Lieutenant. Entered upon her duties on April 8, 1943 after taking the oath.
Served active duty April 8, 1943 to January 11, 1946. Honorably discharged from active duty at Separation Point Camp Sibert Alabama.
Serial Number: N 771 897.
April 7, 1945 -- Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.
Served overseas in North Africa (embarked initially to Algiers) and Italy (embarked initially to Naples) with the 81st Station Hospital A.P.O. 384
Battles and Campaigns: Rome, Arno, Northern Apennienes.
Decorations and Citations: European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Medal with two Bronze Service Stars.
Summary of Military Occuptions (from Discharge papers): Nurse General Duty 3449. Rendered general nursing care to all types of patients in both medical and surgical wards in a station hospital operating in a combat area.
She arrived back in the U. S. on August 24, 1945 at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Mom touched the people around her, whether family, friends, patients or students, in quiet, yet powerful ways. This is evidenced by a couple of pieces of correspondence from her war time years.
[From a recommendation for promotion to 1st Lieutenant by her commander, Robert A. Kimbrough, Colonel, Medical Corps, March 6, 1945]
Lieutenant Wessels is a rather quiet individual who does any assignment given her in an efficient manner. Her strong points are her pleasing personality and her ability to cooperate. She works well under pressure and is able to anticipate the needs of the service. It is felt that Lieutenant Wessels' civilian training and military experience qualify her for the promotion.
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[Below are two articles printed in the local Iroquois County paper, 1943]
Taschers Receive V-Mail Message
Mr. and Mrs. Odel Tascher received yesterday the following V-mail letter from Miss Geneva E. Wessels, who is in foreign service. Miss Wessels is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Wessels of Watseka, Rural Route 3 and is a nurse with a rating as 2nd lieutenant.
July 11, 1943
Dear Emma, Odel and Uncle Bill:
I hope you will forgive me for not writing sooner. Time for such things is rather short. I have now been in N. Africa for two months. Yesterday and today I received mail the first in a month. I guess if we stayed put for awhile things may be different. I think we will now.
I suppose you were surprised when you heard I had left for foreign service. Well it was just as much of a surprise for me. However, it is a good experience and also an education which, could never be acquired in any school. It really is a small world -- I have met several old friends from our hospital Augustana.
We are living in tents -- four nurses to each tent. Dorothy [Reeverts] and I are still together and that sure means a lot to me. We have a shower tent and also a nice mess tent with tables and chairs. We eat from enamel dishes, which is a luxury for us. We deeply appreciate even the smallest things. The main thing is mail -- we can never get enough. It brings us so close to home.
I am writing this by candlelight -- the electric lights go off at ten o'clock. I don't want to go to bed yet. The place we lived at before here was a beautiful spot -- right by the Med. Sea. We went swimming every day. I sure have a good tan. The best part is I made a bathing suit out of an old cotton housecoat, which was useless here.
These V-mail forms are short so I shall have to close. I promise to write again soon. Hope you are well and happy.
Love,
Geneva
2nd Lt. Geneva E. Wessels
N-771897, 81st Station Hospital
A.P.O. 763, c-o P. M.
New York, New York.
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Watseka Nurse Makes Hit With Boys Overseas
Mr. and Mrs. Will Wessels, Watseka, RFD 3, are proud of their daughter, 2nd Lt. Geneva E. Wessels, who is serving as an Army nurse overseas. They aren't the only ones who think a lot of her, though. From the following letter received from a soldier overseas, a Cpl. F. A. Brown, a complete stranger to Mr. and Mrs. Wessels, Geneva is endearing herself to the soldiers in the hospital where she is stationed.
August 3, 1943
Dear Mrs. Wessels:
This letter is no doubt a surprise to you all, but you see I just returned from a hospital over here, and while there I was very fortunate in having your daughter, Geneva, as my nurse. I just wanted to tell you what a swell job she is doing over here. All the boys in her ward are crazy about her and believe me she treats them swell.
I am proud to become one of her friends, and hope very much to see her and meet you all when we get back to the States once more.
I sincerely hope that you are well and everything back there is going along fine.
Sincerely yours,
Cpl. Frank Brown
Mr. and Mrs. Wessels have also learned that two of Lt. Wessels' cousins, Lawrence Ferdinand and Edmund Rapp, visited her at the hospital recently.
- ↑ She did six months general and private duty at Augustana Hospital in Chicago before entering the U. S. Army, April 8, 1943.
Following the war she practiced nursing in Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois and Elgin, Illinois.
1961-1981 School Nurse at Cary-Grove High School, Cary, Illinois
- ↑ Graduating exercises were held at 8 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church, North Waller Ave. and Iowa St. in Chicago.
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