Dennis Funeral Homes

GENEVA M. FESSEL, age 90 of Waterville, died on Sunday, December 30, 2007 at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato.

Born on October 20, 1917 in Elysian, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Edward and Louise (Pittman) Pettipiece.  She attended Immaculate Conception school in Faribault.  Geneva married Henry A. Fessel on November 28, 1940 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville.  In addition to raising her family and helping with the farm, Geneva worked as a nanny for the Frodl, Walz, and Roessler families.  She had also worked for Dr. Roher in Waterville.   She enjoyed being outdoors tending to her flowers and garden as well as cooking, baking, canning, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville, its Women’s Guild and Quilters, and the Catholic Daughters.  She had also been active with 4-H and the Waterville Range Riders.

She is survived by seven children, Shirley Becker of Faribault, Doug and Julie Fessel of Waterville, Donald and Linda Fessel of Waterville, Sharon and Donald Hanks of Kilkenny, David Fessel of Debs, MN, Daniel and Jennifer Fessel of Waterville, and Sharleen and Tom Knish of Waterville; 19 grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by two brothers, Harley and Gloria Pettipiece and Francis Pettipiece; and one sister, Charlotte Schwartz all of Faribault; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter-Sylvia; one grandson-Brandon Fessel; one great-granddaughter, Mileah Marzahn; one brother, Clayton Pettipiece; two sisters-Elaine Schumann and Mary Agnes Pettipiece; one brother-in-law, George Schwartz, and one sister-in-law, Arlene Pettipiece.

Visitation will be held at the Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 from 2-6 PM and continue on Wednesday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Waterville with Rev. Michael Ince officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waterville.