Bessie Ann Rule, 87, of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin died Saturday, July 29, 2017 at her home in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Bessie Ann was born September 21, 1929 to Howard and Leona (Meudt) Kent in Linden, Wisconsin. She attended country school.
Bessie was united in marriage with Wilfred D. Rule in September of 1949, three children were born to this union. They later divorced. Bessie was a homemaker and also ran an in-home daycare for several years. She also worked at 3-M for eight years. Bessie took great pleasure in following the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always arranging the pictures of them that she received and also enjoyed having facetimes with them.
As well as fulfilling her role as the matriarch of her family. Bessie was also a confidante and often a counselor to those around her who were dealing with unfortunate circumstances in their lives. Her door was always open and there was always a fresh pot of coffee. She would listen attentively while people confided their concerns, sometimes cracking one of her off color jokes or offering a bit of advice, but always remaining non-judgmental. She carried this concern with her throughout her life and beyond, donating her body for research to UW-Madison.
Bessie always had a listening ear, and was always an advocate for those in need. Not only to her family and friends, but to people who just needed someone to reach out to. She touched many lives just with her support, she was a source of strength.
Bessie is survived by her children, Dennis (Sandra Turley) Rule of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin and Christine Rule Pettit of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; six grandchildren, David, Duska, Dylan, Josh, Tiffany and Clint; eight great-grandchildren, Aleigh, Brexleigh, Paxton, Lennon, Willie, Hanna, Melody and Elijah; special friends, Jack and Darlene Kellogg, Marilyn Thompson, Jeannie Trygg and Judy Earthum; and her childhood friend, Lela Murray.
Bessie was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Leona Kent; and her son, Daniel Rule in March of 2012.
Celebration of Life will be Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 3-6 pm at Frazier’s Old Faithful Inn, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is helping the family with arrangements.