Bessie L. Stoelk, age 95, of Wilton, passed away after a brief illness on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Clarissa C. Cook, Bettendorf. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, March 28, at Bentley Funeral Home, Wilton. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Following the service, Bessie will be laid to rest next to her husband in Oakdale Cemetery, Wilton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Bessie was born on Feb. 14, 1930, to Louis and Gladys (Lounsberry) Reno in Marshalltown. In 1953, Bessie married Wilbert Stoelk who had just returned from military service. Bessie and Wilbert went on to have two children, Tom Stoelk and Kathy Escher.
Bessie was a loving homemaker who dedicated her life to caring for her family and working at the Ribeye. She enjoyed making ceramics, playing word games, watching western movies and visiting with friends and family.
Bessie is survived by her son, Tom (Lori) Stoelk of Canton, Ohio, and daughter, Kathy (Joe) Escher of Wilton; grandchildren: Eric (Kelsey) Escher of Maple Grove, Minn., Matt (Rachel) Escher of Peoria, Ill., Mark (Jennifer) Escher of North Liberty, Steven Stoelk of Hilliard, Ohio and Lauren Stoelk, and her husband, Mike Zupanc of Minneapolis, Minn.; great-grandchildren: Tobin, Tinley and Bennett of Peoria, Leo and Rosie of North Liberty, and Augie of Minneapolis.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilbert; and three brothers, Vance Reno, Ollie Reno and John Mills.
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