Ursula Martha Massengill

Ursula Martha Massengill died on Tuesday, April 5th, 2016, at the Life Care Center of Dayton. Jesus came for her and she took his hand. She was 90 years old. She was born in Frankfurt, Germany and was a World War II bride. The story of her youth is an inspiration to many. She received her Certificate of Naturalization on May 22nd, 1954. She worked for Dwight Eisenhower after the war as a translator and later retired from Kayser-Roth Hosiery Mill in Dayton, TN. She lived her adult life in Dayton and attended the First Methodist Church of Graysville. After she stopped driving, she attended the First Methodist Church of Dayton with her daughter, Ursula. She enjoyed traveling back to Germany to visit. She also loved geography and listening to German music. She was devoted to her family and was a very loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She instilled her love and values in everyone she was around, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They meant the world to her and made her day every time they visited. In her last days, listening to stories about her great-grandchildren were her only comfort. She leaves behind a legacy of Christian values, courage, strength, and love.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eulalia Mertens and Philipp Fritzel, and brother, Otto Fritzel. Also preceded in death by her husband, Perry "Ole Head" Massengill. Survivors include her 5 children; Ursula (Jack) Brown, Annalee Pitts, Perry Jr. (Sheila) Massengill, Diana (Billy Ray) Matthews, and Mike (Vicki) Massengill all of Dayton. She had 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 1 very special great-great-grandson, Jude Simonis of Utah. Several nieces and nephews, including Helga Rosen and Heinz Fritzel of Germany. We want to especially thank the staff at Life Care Center of Dayton for the love and kindness they showed her. A very special thank you to Dr. Mark Sumida and Angela Reeves. We are all forever grateful. She will truly be missed by all that knew her. Möge sie in frieden ruhen.
Graveside services will be held Friday evening at 5:00pm at Rhea Memory Gardens officiated by Rev. Ken Pierce followed by a white dove release.
Please share your memories of Ursula on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com .
The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home.