Kessler, Mary Jo

Mary Jo Kessler, 96, of 255 South Mentzer Rd., Robins, the home of her daughter, died there Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday atCedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Mary Taylor will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday.

Survivors include her daughter, Pat (Frank) Orr of Robins;and a brother, Charles Mader of Center Point. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Randy (Wendy) VanFossen, Brad VanFossen and his fiancee, Denise Bensch, Renneta (Mike) Kane, Terry Kessler, Sherry (Dan) Morin and Jerrie (Tom) Boettcher; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Richard; sister, Christine Folkins; daughter-in-law, Elaine Kessler; and a son-in-law, Harold VanFossen.

Mary Jo was born April 20, 1916, in Urbana, the daughter of Paul and Inez Cumberland Mader. She married Harold G. Kessler on Oct. 1, 1937, in Center Point. Harold died in 1965. After Harold's death she moved to Florida,returning to Iowa in 2000 when she retired.

Mary Jo was a member of First Christian Church in Center Point. She enjoyed crocheting hangers, playing all types cards, board games, and croquet.

She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Memorial donations may be given to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy or the First Christian Church in Center Point.

Please leave a message or tribute to Mary Jo's family on the Web page, under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Nov. 18, 2012.