Tribute to Grandma Moeckl

(Lisa's Tribute read at Grandma Moeckl's Funeral)

My grandmother had an incredible gift, while she had so many family members vying for her attention, I could say without a doubt she made each one of us feel as if we were special and important in a meaningful way. Ask anyone of us and we will give you a unique story. My husband Marc holds much love and respect for her as well in the brief time he was privileged to know her, that is the kind of woman she was.

While it is difficult not being with everyone to celebrate her life, it is also difficult not being able to be with the wonderful family she had so much influence in creating. There is a great amount of love, laughter and pride in being a Moeckl and in being “a cousin” which would not have been possible without my grandmother’s sacrifices in so many ways.

Each of us in our quest of earthly existence hope our lives are in some way meaningful. My grandmother without a doubt accomplished that mission, not through earthly titles or wealth, but by being “stubbornly” committed to first her faith in God and then to her family. Today my heart is with all of you while my presence can not be. While I am saddened at the end of an era of my grandmother’s earthly presence I rejoice that she is in the heavenly home she always yearned for and taught us so much about. More so I rejoice that she is now with my grandfather and with us in her spirit and in who each one of us have become just by being touched by her faith and loving presence.

With all my love and respect grandma- Lisa Rachelle

I lost my grandma Sheppard when I was 8 so I never really had the chance to know here, but I still remember those big hugs that almost crushed you. She too was a prayer warier that held the family together when she was her. Grandma Moeckl embodied everything I knew my grandmother to stand for. It was easy to fall in love with Grandma Moeckl with her accepting love, her kindness, those hugs that would almost crush you and let’s not forget those awesome chicken and noodles. I love Grandma Moeckl as my own and rejoice that she is now home. I know Grandma Moeckl will have a very long line of greeters to welcome her into heaven, and at the end of that line will be my Grandma Sheppard anxiously awaiting an update – I think they will become great friends.

Love you grandma, Marc.

Obituary

Wilma “Jean” Moeckl
(June 11, 1919 - March 23, 2006)
“Her children arise and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28

We, her children, celebrate the life of our precious mother, Wilma “Jean” Moeckl, born June 11, 1919, to Irving and Jessie Wenig. She was ushered into heaven at 6:59 pm March 23, 2006, at Maranatha Village in Springfield, Missouri, on her grandson Ashton’s 17^th birthday, as her children were singing Onward Christian Soldiers. She grew up on a farm near Gray, Iowa, attended Iowa State Teacher’s College, and then taught in a one-room school for eight years. She married Harold “Pat” Alvin Moeckl, December 26, 1945; eight children were born to this union. She was a member of the Gray Assembly of God church until 1974 when Pat and she moved to Des Moines, Iowa. There they became members of the First Assembly of God church.

Jean was loved by many and will be remembered as a powerful prayer warrior who excelled in the gift of hospitality. She mastered the art of homemade wheat rolls, cinnamon rolls, chicken & noodles, scrumptious pies, and more. Her greatest joy was that all eight of her children and their spouses have accepted Christ as their personal Savior and are active in serving Him today.

Jean is survived by all eight of her children: Patti (Chaplain Delwin) VandeKrol, Ft. Madison, IA; Harold (Esther) Moeckl, Mechanicsville, VA; Dan (Jeannie) Moeckl, Des Moines, IA; Rev. Ken (Trudy) Moeckl, Springfield, MO; Pauline (Duane) Everett, Clifton, VA; Pam (Mark) Schaad, Des Moines, IA; Peggy (Rev. Randy) Williams, Vero Beach, FL; Penny (Chuck) Francis, Hollister, CA; 26 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Nettie Clemmensen, Minneapolis, MN, and brother, Rev. Tom (Mae) Wenig, Kearney, NE. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold “Pat” Moeckl (July 30, 1978), her son-in-law, Red Behnke (January 27, 1993), her parents, Irving and Jessie Wenig, her sister and husband, Eloise & Leonard Franz; and brother-in-law Glenn Clemmensen.

Memorials may be sent to First Assembly of God, 2725 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310 and will be used for “Fire Bibles” (study Bibles) for pastors overseas.

We rise up and honor the memory of our mother and are so thankful for her unselfish life. Patti, Harold, Dan, Ken, Pauline, Pam, Peggy, and Penny