Frances Diane Wessel

Frances Diane Wessel of Evansville, Indiana was called home on November 16, 2024 at the age of 89. She was born October 19, 1935, the daughter of Oleva Maxine and Harry Francis Cook, and raised and loved by her mother and step-father, John R. Bagbey. Diane married John W. Wessel on August 16, 1958 and were married 64 years prior to his death in 2022. Diane attended Bosse High School and then entered Evansville College as a nursing major where she was a graduate of their first school of Nursing in 1957. Her career started as an office nurse for Dr. Alfred J. Niedermayer, then Welborn Baptist Hospital, and finally with the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation where she retired at the age of 65. She loved her co-workers, and students, and prided herself on knowing each student's name, realizing how special that made them feel. Diane was very social and never met a stranger. If you crossed paths with her she would wind up knowing your name, the spelling of your name, your family history, your interests, and then would not forget. For years she was an active volunteer with the Evansville Philharmonic Guild, a docent of the Reitz Home Museum, volunteered at the Victory and Old National Events Plaza, and on the hospital visitation team for Christian Fellowship Church. Her favorite pastime and earthly passion however, was her family. She and her husband John attended each and every sporting event, program, or activity that their grandchildren were involved in. Nana and Grandpa were a mainstay in their lives. She and John were faithful members of Christian Fellowship Church, and the Upper Room Sunday School Class. Diane is survived by her daughter, Susan (Jon) Austin; grandchildren, Erin (Alex) Abbott, Katie (Corey) Lannert, and Craig (Paige) Austin; 11 great grandchildren; brother- in- law and sister-in-law Stephan and Janie Wessel, sister-in-law Mary Wessel, brother-in-law Gene Mustin; along with many nieces and nephews, all whom she loved dearly. Diane’s immediate and extended family were a source of great joy, but she was also grateful for her many friends that shared life with her. The family would like to thank the kindness of North River Villas where she resided, and the Linda White Hospice House who cared so tenderly for her over her last week. Family and friends are invited to attend a service honoring her life on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Road. Visitation with the family will be 2:00 pm to service time. The funeral will be livestreamed at cfcclassic.online.church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Fellowship Church, or the Linda White Hospice House. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.