Irene L. Kessler

Irene L. Kessler, 86, of Sioux City passed away Monday, July 7, 2008, at Countryside Retirement Home in Sioux City.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2008 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, with the Rev. James Bruch officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Irene was born Oct. 9, 1921, in Sioux City, to John and Myrtle (Desy) Paulsen. She received her education in the Sioux City Public School System, graduating from Central High School with the class of 1939.

She married Robert Lee Kessler on March 29, 1941 in South Sioux City. The couple lived in various locations during his early electrical career and service in the U.S. Navy. Following that, they returned to Sioux City, where she became a homemaker and mother of three children.

She enjoyed gardening and many crafts, especially sewing and crocheting. She enjoyed golfing, bowling and was a member of a card club, a local sorority group and the Crystal Rhythm Dance Club. The couple provided their family with memorable summers, boating and traveling in their travel trailer. They especially enjoyed traveling in their recreational vehicle and had enjoyable trips to Spain, Hawaii and the Caribbean with her siblings.

She is survived by her children, Richard L. Kessler and his wife, Sharyl of Prescott Valley, Ariz., Robert L. Kessler and his significant other, Rose Caruso of Las Vegas, Nev., and Debra Kessler and her husband, Nick Maffeo of Milton, Mass.; brothers, John Paulsen of Sioux City and Edward "Bud" Paulsen of California; sisters, Doris McKenna of Sioux City, Jeanette and her husband, Dale Grubel and Phyllis and her husband, Richard Grubel, all of Nebraska; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Robert.