Robert "Bob" Wessel

Robert J. “Bob” Wessel, age 89 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 26, 2021, at his home at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 31 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Rick Aubol officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Robert Joseph Wessel was born March 29, 1932, in Melrose Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to August and Mary (Austing) Wessel. Bob farmed all his life. After he retired from farming, he bartended for 25 years at the Eagle’s Club in Sauk Centre until they closed the doors and then at the Red Carpet in Sauk Centre.

Bob was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and Catholic United Financial. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and going to the casino with friends. In his younger years, he enjoyed deer hunting and playing the drums with the Elmer Scheid Band.

Survivors include his brother, Delbert Wessel of New Munich; nieces, Pam (Tom) Koppelman of Melrose, Sharon Messer (significant other, Mike Hatlestad) of Sauk Centre, and Mona (Bill) Marthaler of New Munich; nephew, Tom Wessel of Sauk Centre; and many other nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; niece, Tina Kulzer; sisters, Bertha Theisen, Hildegard Primus, Valeria Walters, Helen Jenc, and Jeanette Derichs; and brothers, Gregor, Norbert “Norby”, and Cyril Wessel.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jamie Messer, Justin Messer, Cory Messer, Eric Marthaler, Shawn Kulzer, and Bill Wessel. Cross bearer will be Nicole Koppelman and scripture bearer will be Finley Messer. Readers will be Tom Koppelman and Sharon Messer. Gift bearers will be Tom Wessel and Mona Marthaler. Honorary bearers will be Arnie Soenneker, Dennis Primus, Virgil Niehaus, Robert Middendorf, Elmer VonWahlde, and Al Gamradt.