Gertrude Kessler

Gertrude Kessler of Pine City died Wednesday (8/1/2012) at her home in Pine City at the age of 87 years. Gertrude was born on October 26, 1924, in Cottonwood, Minnesota, to Charles and Josepha Beacom. She was raised in St. Paul and St. Cloud and graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School in 1942. She married Bill Kessler on November 10, 1945. She graduated from St. Cloud Teacher’s College in 1947. She is welcomed into heaven by her husband of 60 years, Bill Kessler; her parents; her brother, David Beacom and her sisters, Mary Lindstrom and Carol Borgeson. She is survived by her children Susan (Mark) Halter of LaCrosse, WI; Christine (William) Piotrowski of St. Croix Falls, WI; Charles (Laurie) Kessler of Onalaska, WI; Anne (Michael) Brutlag of Plymouth, MN; John (Laura) Kessler of Rosemount, MN and Joseph Kessler of Walker, MN. She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren: David, Will (Karen) and Matthew Halter; Laura (Dan) Sylvester; Patrick and John (Katie Peters) Piotrowski; Michael, Annie and Jennifer Kessler; Katie (Dave) Follette; Dan and Kevin Brutlag, Samantha and Lauren Kessler, and Jack and Anna Kessler. Also survived by great-grandson Will Sylvester and sister Elizabeth Hall. Gertrude will be remembered for the loving kindness and thoughtfulness that she offered to all she encountered. Gertrude was a gifted gardener and baker and a dear friend to many. She was deeply loved and admired. She will be greatly missed. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 4th at 10 am at Immaculate Conception Church, 535 8th St. SW, Pine City. Visitation will be on Friday, August 3rd from 5 to 8 pm at Swanson Funeral Chapel, 665 3rd Ave SW, Pine City, and for one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Memorials may be directed to: St. Mary’s Catholic School or Immaculate Conception Church-Pine City. Funeral arrangements for Gertrude Kessler of Pine City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service~ Swanson Chapel of Pine City. funeralandcremationservice.com