Kessler, Laurence Joseph

Laurence Joseph Kessler, 88, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, at Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be made to the family at .

Laurence was born Jan. 19, 1924, in Cosgrove, Iowa, the son of Leo and Mary Walsh Kessler. He graduated from Lone Tree High School. He was united in marriage to Leona Jedlicka on Jan. 16, 1946 in Lone Tree. The couple farmed in the West Liberty area for many years, following their retirement they moved to West Liberty.

Laurence was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty. His hobbies included reading and socializing with people.

He is survived by his 10 children, Mike (Gwen) Kessler of West Liberty, Maureen (Jim) Bowie of Tipton, Linda (Joe) Peters of Chicago, Pat (Betsy) Kessler of Benton Harbor, Mich., Steve (Heidi) Kessler of Chicago, John (Teresa) Kessler of Wilmington, Del., Al (Sandy) Kessler of Coralville, Jim (Ann) Kessler of Walcott, Rick Kessler of Northborough, Mass., and Mary Ann (Dan) Rocha of Altoona; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Brugman of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona; son, Thomas Allen; and sister, Virginia Lamansky.

Published in The Gazette Sept. 12, 2012.