Justina Francesca (Wehling) Mousel passed away from pneumonia on January 16, 2009, at 2:00 a.m. in Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells, CO. Prior to her admission to the hospital she was cared for at home by her daughter, Therese, and sons, Nick and Edward, and granddaughter Francesca Mousel of the home.


Justina was born September 16, 1911, in Merna, Nebraska, to Henry Leo and Anna Marie (Steuter) Wehling. As a child and young adult, she lived in Clearwater, Hemmingford, Rushville, and Broken Bow, Nebraska. As a schoolgirl, she attended boarding school at Rushville. While still in Nebraska, Justina worked in private homes as a cook and housekeeper.


When she was a young adult, Justina and her family lived in Iowa for one year before moving to Cheyenne Wells on the plains of eastern Colorado. After moving to Cheyenne Wells, Justina worked at the West Hotel and Union Pacific Rail Road Caf as a cook and waitress.


From 1934 to early 1936, Justina also worked as a cook and housekeeper for the Sisters of Mercy in Denver, CO.


Justina and Joseph Nicholas Mousel, were married on December 26, 2936, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cheyenne Wells, CO. After marriage she worked for a time in the laundry at the hospital and she delivered mail and drove a school bus.


To this union ten children were born: Judy Marie Locke currently of Commerce City, CO; Nicholas Henry Mousel and his spouse, Judy, of the home; Adrian Orville Mousel and his spouse, Betty Jean, currently of Cheyenne Wells, CO; Kathleen Ann Staab currently of Hays, KS; Nancy Leona Davis and her spouse, Michael, currently of Seymour, MO; Leo Anton Mousel and his spouse, Mary, currently of Filer, ID; Linda Louise Beller and her spouse, Ernie, currently of Spring Creek, NV; Therese Mary Mousel of the home and Edward Abraham Mousel of the home.


Justina and Joe lived with Joes parents at the old homeplace after their marriage. When their oldest child, Judy was one month old they moved to their current home seven miles north of First View, CO.


Justina and her spouse, Joe, farmed in the Cheyenne Wells, CO, area for 71 years. Justina kept the farm running while Joe worked off the farm to bring in money. Justina and Joe raised a wide variety of farm animals like turkeys, chickens, pigs, cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, horses, and kids. Justina and Joe sold turkeys for Thanksgiving around Cheyenne Wells, CO, area and they shipped turkeys by barrel to Green Brothers Warehouse in Denver, CO.


Justina is survived by one brother, Frank Wehling, and one sister, Julie Steinert; ten children; thirty-one grandchildren; six step grandchildren, fifty four great grandchildren, thirteen step great-grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren; one brother-in law-, Orville Mousel and his spouse, Rita, currently of Eads, CO.

Justina is preceded in death by her spouse, Joseph Nicholas Mousel, her parents, Henry and Anna Wehling, her five sisters: Elizabeth, Mary Catherine, Lucy, Rosa, and Agnes; her two brothers, John and Anton; one step-grandchild Ryan Beller; two infant great grandsons and her son-in-law, Benno F. Staab.


A funeral mass was held on January 21, 2009 at the Sacred Heart Church in Cheyenne Wells, CO with Fr. Kuzma as the celebrant. Friends and family can register online condolences and sign the guest book at www.brownfuneraldirectors.com. Visitation and funeral services were entrusted to the care of the Brown Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells, CO.


Memorial contributions can be made to the Sacred Heart OR St. Augustine Catholic Church Altar Society.