ELLINWOOD - Bessie Mae DeWerff, 90, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away at Ellinwood District Hospital on January 17, 2020. Born October 12, 1929 at Omaha, NE, she was the daughter of Lawrence James and Cora (Helton) Davis. She graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1947. In 1948 she married Leo Kasselman and to this union Linda Kasselman (Borror) was born. Leo was killed in the Korean Conflict in 1951. In 1954 Bessie married Kenneth DeWerff (deceased) and to this union Steve DeWerff, (deaceased), Jeff DeWerff, and Jane DeWerff (Thier) was born.
Bessie was a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church of Ellinwood. In the early years she was active and participated in Vacation Bible School, Ladies Aid Society, and served as Church Clerk.
After graduation from high school she worked at Wolf Milling Co. until she started her family. When widowed she returned to work at the Ellinwood Coop until she remarried. When she said I DO, she became a “farm wife” learning a whole new skill set becoming proficient overnight. When her family was raised she then went to work for L.D. Drilling and remained a remarkably loyal employee/ office manager for 42 years. She only just retired after her 89th birthday.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda Borror (Barry), Ellinwood; Jane Thier (Greg), Wichita; one son, Jeff (Sherry) DeWerff, Ellinwood; two sisters, Joyce Rose and Marilyn Kasselman both of Great Bend. Other survivors include 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 21, at First Baptist Church, 503 SE 110 Ave A, Ellinwood, KS with Pastor David Wesner officiating. Interment will precede the service at Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood, KS. Visitation will be Monday, January 20, from 2-8 PM with family present from 6-8 PM at Minnis Chapel in Ellinwood, KS. Memorials are suggested to Ellinwood Hospital Foundation (Life Enrichment) and First Baptist Church of Ellinwood Missions in care of Minnis Chapel, PO Box 246, Ellinwood, KS.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel
P.O. Box 246
Ellinwood, KS 67526
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 19, 2020
