Bessie N. Rich Obituary (1924

Bessie N. Rich, 100, of Saunemin, transitioned to her eternal home at 12:10 p.m. on July 5, 2024, at Evenglow Inn, Pontiac, with family by her side. Her funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at Saunemin United Methodist Church, Saunemin. Pastor Dan Knutson will be officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyslope Cemetery, Saunemin. Visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Bessie was born on April 30, 1924, the youngest daughter of Bert and Alma Lee, Saunemin. She received her elementary education at the Chesebro School, a one-room schoolhouse near the family farm in Eyler, before graduating in 1942 from Saunemin High School. After graduation, she pursued a nursing degree at Mennonite School of Nursing in Bloomington. Just short of graduating, she followed her heart instead and married her life partner. On March 17, 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Lloyd E. Rich, in Houston, TX, while Lloyd was stationed there. He preceded her in death on August 28, 2004. From that union came Pamela Elaine (Robert) Young, both deceased; James Lee (Kay) Rich, Fairbury; and William Edward (Diana) Rich, Graymont. Bessie is also survived by her grandchildren Josh (Erin) Rich, Ryan Rich, Korey Rich, Amy (Jason Denault) Young, and Jayme (Matthew) Curl; step-grandchildren Chris (Kelly) Nichols and Joey (Bergen) Nichols; great-grandchildren Mason and Teegan Rich and Jesslyn Kay Curl; and step-great-grandchildren Tristan, Ike, Reece, and Cora Nichols and Tyler and Lauren Nichols. She is also survived by her beloved cat, Lacey, who was her faithful companion for a number of years. In addition to her husband, Lloyd, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Bob Young; and sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Charles Mies. Church was an important part of Bessie’s life, and she enjoyed being involved in many of the activities at Saunemin Methodist Church, including United Methodist Women. In addition, she was an active member of Saunemin Women’s Club. With Lloyd being on the board at Evenglow, Bessie volunteered her time there for a number of years. Lloyd and Bessie traveled extensively with friends over the years. She enjoyed reminiscing about trips to Marco Island in Florida and numerous cruises taken with lifelong friends from Lloyd’s time in the service. Bessie thoroughly enjoyed her life as a wife and mother. Family dinners were topped off by her infamous Special K bar cookies. Her grandkids and great-grandkids were her favorite priorities. Faith, family, friends . . . as well as her church and the farm . . . were all important to Bessie in her long and blessed life of 100 years and 2 months. The family would like to thank the staff at Evenglow Inn as well as the caregivers with Transitions Hospice for being such a blessing to Bessie and her family. Memorials may be made to Saunemin United Methodist Church or to Evenglow Inn, Pontiac.