Bessie Capper

A celebration of life for Bessie M. Capper, 98, of Williamsburg, formerly of Wellman, will be held Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 1:30 PM at Asbury United Methodist  Church in Wellman, with Pastor Moody Colorado officiating.  Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Joetown.  Visitation will be held Saturday, April 18 from 4 – 8 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona.  A memorial fund has been established for Asbury United Methodist Church.  Bessie died Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg.

Bessie Minnie (Kleinschmidt) Capper was born April 27, 1916 in Johnson County, the daughter of John and Addie (Reynolds) Kleinschmidt.  She attended Hartsock #3 Rural School in Sharon Township.  On July 2, 1938 she was united in marriage to Charles C. Capper in Kirksville, MO.  The couple owned and operated Capper's Cafe and later Chuck's Chuck Wagon for 37 years.  Bessie was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Wellman, The Rebekah Lodge, Lion's Club, American Legion Auxilliary, Country Quilters Quilt Club and the Wellman Senior Center.  She enjoyed gardening, camping, sewing and quilting and her grandchildren.

Survivors include four children: John Thomas (Vicki) Capper of Parnell, Charles (Joanne) Capper of Marengo, Cecil Capper of Cedar Rapids, Ron (Jenny) Capper of Williamsburg, 13 grandchildren,  29 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, one brother, John (Vivian) Kleinschmidt of Iowa City, and one sister Leona Buchmayer of Solon.

Preceding Bessie in death was her husband Charles in 2004, her parents, a great granddaughter, Kynlea Heitman, three brothers: Joe, Roy and Emery Kleinschmidt and one sister, Marguerite Plecker.