Gladys Marie Wessels

Mrs Gladys Marie Wessels has passed away in Clarksville Tn at the age of 91. Mrs Wessels formerly of Memphis Tn, Singapore, St. Louis, Chicago, Gary In, Iowa City Ia, Denver Co, Guam, Valdosta Ga, Washington DC, Quincy I’ll was born Gladys Marie Reese at the Reese family home in Harrisburg Il on Nov 2 1922 to Richard C “Mac” Reese and Beulah Marie Key of Belknap Il. She was the product of her father’s second marriage after divorcing his first wife Mable, also from Illinois and later Boulder Co. Gladys had three older half siblings, Mac, Richard, and Juanita Reese to welcome her as they travelled back to Illinois often. Mrs. Wessels married twice, Capt. Wesley Navare Vandorn WW2 fighter pilot widowed 1947 and Dr. Kenneth E. Wessels DDS, PhD widowed 1980. She leaves behind 3 children Mary Hope Van Dorn, Margaret Ann Wessels, Kenneth E Wessels Jr., 3 Grandchildren Kristen Marie Powell, Sara Elizabeth Blanke, Bridget Marie Wessels. 1 great grandchild Kloe Marie Haire, and 2 Great Great Grandsons. She was very active in Memphis charities including St Jude children’s cancer research hospital. At age 21 she completed all 5 points of the Eastern Star. She and both her husbands travelled the world including South America, Australia, Singapore, Guam, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. Mrs Wessels was devoted entirely to her children’s welfare and tirelessly worked on their behalf. She is also survived by two remaining first cousins, Robert “Bobby” Brown of Conyers Ga.,& Juanita Brawner of Independence Mo.and one second cousin, Toni Brown of Independence Mo. Mrs Wessels was a great admirer of the Arts and a lifetime Interior Decorator and Designer. She passed away quietly at her home early Friday morning while watching the Cardinal Birds outside her window. She is very very loved by so many people whose lives she touched. She often said “how much you are loved doesn’t matter, how much you love others does”.