(Marlene) Kay Wessel, age 79, passed away on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the home of her daughter, Sara
Wessel, in Carmel, Indiana.
Born on April 11, 1944 in Washington, Indiana, she was the daughter of Wilbur L. and Versie J. (Jolliff) Ault.
Kay graduated from Elmore Township High School in Elnora, Indiana in 1962. She earned a degree at the
Indiana Business College in Vincennes, Indiana and then worked for eight years as a corporate secretary.
On December 8, 1973, she married the love of her life, Harold William Wessel, in Vincennes, Indiana, and he
preceded her in death on May 7, 2016.
The couple established their home in Greensburg, Indiana near Harold’s roots and Kay spent the following
years as a loving homemaker and mother to four children, where she played instrumental roles of
encourager, listener, entertainer, and planner extraordinaire. She enjoyed watching each of her kids pursue
their individual interests and talents through their involvement in many activities, much of which required
driving all across town and earning her the title of “Mom’s taxi.” She loved cooking and baking, and despite
the busy schedule prioritized family meals around the dinner table on a regular basis.
When the youngest was in high school, Kay returned to the workforce where she was able to merge two of
her other passions of community and technology, working in the Greensburg Decatur County Public Library
computer lab for 18 years. During this time she added another title, “Grandma Kay”, and her grandkids were
her pride and joy. She always treasured time with family. She lived out Christ’s love in her interactions with
others. Kay’s servant heart was seen through the years as she helped care for her aging in-laws, parents,
and husband.
She is survived by one son and three daughters, Allen (Stacy) Wessel of New Holland, Pennsylvania;
Andrea (Vi-En) Choong of Carlsbad, California; Sara Wessel of Carmel, Indiana and Tonya (Bill) Robbins of
Parkville, Missouri; five grandchildren, AJ and Adelaide Wessel and Cameron, Kailee and Tristan Choong;
one nephew, Chuck (Devon) Sheppard. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her
parents.
Kay was a member of the First Christian Church in Greensburg. While she will be missed by her family and
friends, we take comfort in knowing that she has gone home to be with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior,
and is happily reunited with loved ones who have gone before her. The family would also like to thank
AseraCare Hospice for their compassion, care and services.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Monday, May 8, at the Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home. Visitation
will also be held from 10-11 am on Tuesday, May 9 at the First Christian Church in Greensburg followed by a
celebration of life service at 11 am with Pastor Danny Wolford officiating. Interment will follow at Rossburg
Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to First Christian Church, Greensburg
Decatur County Public Library, or the American Heart Association.