Verna Jean Wissel (Gailey)

Verna Jean Wissel

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother

August 27, 1934 – February 4, 2020

Verna Jean Wissel, a lifelong resident of the Montrose area died Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the age of 85.  Verna Jean was born on August 27, 1934, the daughter of Melvin Lee and Lottie Katherine (Allen) Gailey.  She spent her childhood and early married life in Coal Creek near Montrose.

On December 3, 1950, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Eudean “Dean” Wissel.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary prior to his death on May 13, 2001.  Verna Jean and Dean worked side by side farming at Coal Creek and Spring Creek.  They also owned Lathrop Service Center where they repaired lawn mowers and large appliances.  Later Verna Jean worked at Gibsons.  Verna Jean was her husband’s co-pilot in life and they loved to travel by flying their airplane and by motorhome.

Verna Jean spent her winters in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.  She had a positive outlook and enjoyed her involvement in many community service organizations such as Western Welcome Club and London Bridge Club.  Verna Jean and her friends held many fund raisers for multiple causes.  She received the  “Lake Havasu City Volunteer of the Year” award.  She loved playing Bunco and her life and many friends in LHC.  Verna Jean loved music and singing brought her pleasure.  She enjoyed singing in church and also was a member of the Song Birds that sing weekly in area nursing homes.  She liked happy songs and Walt Disney movies.

Verna Jean is survived by her children, Kathleen and Dick Margetts (Montrose), Jeanette and Randy Schielke (Grand Junction), Randy and Janet Wissel (Argyle, TX), and Tamela and Brad Spelts (Grand Junction).  She is also survived by her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, Dustin Hayward; Misty, Billy, Katelehn, and Rosilyn Abbath; Ken, Hiromi, Masakuni, and Cassidy Margetts; Sheila, Michael, and Ocean Grohman; Michael, Sarah, Charlotte, and Scarlet Wissel; Scott Wissel; Danielle, Matt, Faith, and Alyssa Breshears; Landen Spelts; and Morgan Spelts.

A funeral service in loving remembrance and to celebrate Verna Jean’s life will be officiated on Saturday, February 22, at 10 a.m. at Crippin Funeral Home; (970)249-2121.  Interment will follow the service at the Olathe Cemetery.   Memorial gift may be made to HopeWest or a cause of your choice.