Bessie Louise Bessert

Bessie Louise (Parr) Bessert was born at the family farm near Mapleton, Illinois on July 9, 1926. She was the first-born child of Earl and Sophia Parr. Bess grew up on that farm, attending a one room schoolhouse in her early years, going on to graduate from Glasford High School in 1944.

Bess married Berton Paul Bessert on September 9, 1950 and together they had three children- Barry Alan, Becky Jo and Bettylynne. Marriages of their kids brought Bess and Bert eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Remembrances of our mother, sister, aunt, grandma, great-grandma, cousin and friend:

Bess had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, always ready to tell a joke, watch a comedy on television or get tickets for a funny movie.

She loved to travel and spent time in many of America’s cities, national parks, museums and points of interest.

She had a great sense of fashion – purse and shoes always needed to match! She worked in three different shops and boutiques where she enjoyed helping others find the right color, fit and style.

She stayed busy with many hobbies and activities. She painted, decoupaged and sewed. Refinished and reupholstered furniture. Created beautiful flower arrangements. Played bridge. Bowled (and had trophies to prove it!). She was a Girl Scout leader and headed up the annual cookie drive (a semi-truck would pull into the driveway to unload the boxes for her to organize and distribute to the Scouts). She enjoyed reading, playing board games and putting together puzzles.

Bess was a great cook and always enjoyed hosting the whole family for holidays and celebrations. From her travels she would bring home new recipes and discover new foods to introduce into the rotation of family meals.

While she played softball as a young woman (catching those fastballs led to arthritis in her hands in later years), her favorite sport was basketball. There is no way to count the number of basketball games she attended to watch her son, daughter and grandchildren play. Courtside was where you could often find her.

She had strong political views. And don’t attempt to change her mind.

Bess was deeply spiritual. She was devoted to the Christian faith and read the Bible, practicing daily devotions. She was also a member of Chapter EX, P.E.O. in Ft. Collins. Her faith sustained her through many tough times in her 95 years.

Ultimately, Bess loved her family. She and Bert were married for sixty years before his passing in 2010. She was a dedicated and caring mother. She delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She kept an annual calendar of birthdays and anniversaries for them as well as her siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones. She always had guest rooms ready for visits and sleep-overs.

Bessie Louise (Parr) Bessert, 95, passed away quietly the morning of Monday, January 3, 2022.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Barbara Davis Center For Childhood Diabetes - Anschutz, 1775 Aurora Court, #A140, Aurora, CO 80045.

https://www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/about-us/the-barbara-davis-center/