Mrs. Bessie Huffman

Bessie Huffman, age 95, of Anita, IA, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Caring Acres Nursing Home in Anita, IA.

Bessie Rydl Huffman was born to James K. and Mary Francis (Mochan) Rydl on Dec 6, 1926, in Hinckley, MN. She joined siblings Mary, Alice, Frank, John, Ernie, and four years later Emma. Bessie grew up on a farm near Hinckley. One of her best stories was walking on snow higher than rooftops to do chores. She continued her education through 8th grade. While visiting her sister, Mary in Iowa, she met Leland Leroy Huffman. They later were married on July 30, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Glidden, IA. As a family, they farmed north of Anita, near the Highland Church and the tree in the middle of the road. To this union, Betty Lou, Carolyn Jo, Roger Lavern, Barbara Ann, Jean Marie, and Patricia Kay were born.

Bessie worked all her life raising children and keeping up with all the daunting tasks of being on the farm. She worked at several restaurants in the Valley, she enjoyed making salads, working with others, and getting her own paycheck! Leland died on June 4, 1998, and shortly after Bessie moved to Anita. She and her girlfriends loved getting together over a cup of coffee or going out for dinner. Bessie also enjoyed playing many card games with her grandkids, drinking coffee, and picking up cans to redeem. Bessie lived at her home in Anita till March 7, 2016, when she moved to Caring Acres.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, IA, with committal to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. A reception will take place following the committal service at the Anita Community Center.

Bessie is preceded in death by her husband Leland; daughter Betty; granddaughter Lisa Marie Huffman; great-grandson Cade Gettler; her parents James and Mary; all of her siblings; and many of her dearest friends.

Bessie is survived by her children; Carolyn Dix of Atlantic, Roger (Kendra Sorum) Huffman of Anita, Barbara (Phil Marnin) Bell of Anita, Jean (George Dockendorf) Young of Anita, IA, Patricia (Bruce) Nelson of Atlantic; 16 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Visitation with family present will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the family at this time. They will be designated to many of Bessie's favorite local charities and may be mailed to the funeral home at P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Arrangements are handled with the staff of Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Anita, IA.