Mary Ann Kessler, Mitchell
Mary Ann Kessler, 90, Mitchell, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2013, at her granddaughter’s home in Maricopa, Ariz., with her children by her side.
- Mary Ann Kessler
Mary Ann Kessler, 90, Mitchell, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2013, at her granddaughter’s home in Maricopa, Ariz., with her children by her side.
She was born on Dec. 2, 1922.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Mitchell. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mitchell.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell, with a 7 p.m. Scripture service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
Mary Ann Kessler was born in Odessa, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Wendell and Mary Louise Schaffer.
She moved to South Dakota in 1927. Upon graduating from Notre Dame Academy, she taught at rural schools in Davison and Hanson counties from 1941 to 1949.
Mary Ann was married to Wilfred Kessler on May 25, 1949, until his death in 2004.
They had five children: Alice, Jerry, Gene, Mary Lee and Deanna.
They started Kessler Plumbing in 1951 until 1984, when it was sold to their son, Gene and his wife, Jackie.
Mary Ann was an amazing, sweet and giving woman. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. Mary Ann had a great love for sewing, crafts, ceramics and flower arranging.
She was a member of the Mitchell Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Altar Society, Catholic Daughters of America, Mitchell Garden Club, Craft Club, Moose Lodge and American Legion. She participated in Holiday Arts, taught 4-H and square dance lessons.
In later years, she acquired a passion of collecting jewelry.
Mary Ann was blessed to spend her last year and final days in the home and under the care of her granddaughter, Rachele Maas, her husband, David, and their children.
She enjoyed having her loved ones come visit during her stay.
Mary Ann is survived by her children: Alice Butterfield and husband Bill, Lynwood, Ill.; Gene Kessler and wife Jackie, Mitchell; and Deanna Kessler, Tucson, Ariz.; one brother, James Schaffer and his wife Doris, Mitchell; two sisters-in-law: Gladys Kessler, Mitchell; and Mildred Carstens, St. Peter, Minn.; one aunt, Florence Mengenhauser, Flandreau; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred; her daughter, Mary Lee; her son, Jerry; her parents, Wendell and Mary Louise Schaffer; one brother, Ed Schaffer; and one sister, Dorothy Haiar.
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Gary M.
My parents, Milo and Iola Miller, and my brother Greg and I were fortunate to live next to Mary Ann and the Kessler family out on the Cemetery Road. She was a wonderfully kind and considerate friend and neighbor. Mary Ann was quick to share produce from the Kessler Garden and tolerant of our puppy when it would snatch items off her clothes line! May she rest in peace forever. -Gary Miller, Park City, Kansas02/06/2013 9:51 PM
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