A well-known Kansas ham radio couple has died.

Martha “Marte” Wessel, K0EPE, of Liberal, Kansas, died September 23. She was 89. Her husband Walter “Pete” Wessel, W0CM, died 6 days later on September 29 at age 101. Both were ARRL members.

“Liberal has lost a YL legend and a lowband DX veteran,” said ARRL Honorary Vice President Bruce Frahm, K0BJ, referring to the couple.

Marte Wessel was on the DXCC Honor Roll. She oversaw the annual scholarship drive for the Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL), to which she belonged for 55 years and served on the President’s Advisory Committee. The scholarship campaign she headed raised nearly $4600 this year.

“Martha was one of the cornerstones of the YLRL and of the Colorado-YLs, of which she was our last charter member,” the YLRL website said in announcing her passing.

An Ohio native, Marte Wessel belonged to the Ohio Ladies Amateur Radio Club (Buckeye Belles), the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Young Ladies International Single Sideband System, and the Quarter Century Wireless Women. She also was an avid bowler, a Red Cross “Grey Lady” volunteer, and a Camp Fire Girls leader.

The YLRL has invited donations in memory of Marte Wessel to its scholarship fund to Linda Hynan, AC5QQ, 1312 Western Ridge Dr, Waco TX 76712.

Pete Wessel, W0CM, a Nebraska native, was well-known as a low-band DXer and also was on the DXCC Honor Roll. A US Navy veteran, he was licensed in 1928 as 9EYE, and subsequently held W9EYE, W9JYW, and W0LYW. In addition to the League, Pete Wessel belonged to the Old Timers Club and was a Life Member of Southern Plains Amateur Radio Klub.

Pete and Marte Wessel had been married for 69 years.