36 Cousins

“Many of these family members had passed by the time I was born, and I grew up in Florida and North Carolina while they were all in Minnesota. I’m the youngest of my generation on that side of the family, so unfortunately all I have are things like articles. My sister, however, was named after my great-grandmother, Amanda Wessel, named in the article.”

– Tyler Wessel, Assistant Director of Alumni Events and Marketing, University Advancement

36 cousins, remembered by Tyler Wessel

Of 73 cousins in Tyler Wessel’s family, 36 served during WWII.

My extended family had 36 cousins serve during WWII; there were 73 total cousins, so we’re talking half. All returned alive; only two were wounded. They were scattered throughout Europe, the Pacific, and Africa, and all came back.