Veronica Vera C. Kessler

KESSLER, FITZGERALD, KELLY, MUELLER, EDENS, SWEENEY

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 5/22/2009 at 15:26:59

Vera Kessler, 97, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Solon Nursing Care Center following a short illness. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am Saturday, November 22 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Solon. Visitation will be Friday from 3-7 pm at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City. A rosary will be recited at 4 pm and a vigil service will begin at 6:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to The Regina Elementary Technology Program.

Vera was born June 21, 1911, the daughter of John and Julia (Fitzgerald) Kelly. After graduating from Cosgrove High School, she went to school at Otumwa Heights and later taught at country schools near Oxford and Solon. In Oxford, on June 6, 1938, Vera married Michael A. Kessler of Solon. While teaching near Solon, Vera and Michael raised their three children; Mary Jean, Margaret and John on a farm two miles north of Solon. When John graduated from Solon High School, the family moved to Davenport where all the children attended college. Vera taught at Holy Family School. Mary Jean married Loyle Mueller and Margaret married Larry Edens.

Vera lived with her son John in Davenport before going to the Solon Care Center. She enjoyed people, being a farmer’s wife, and particularly enjoyed talking to children, as she taught for many years and enjoyed her own children. Vera was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Solon and was also a dedicated member of The Catholic Order of Foresters, from which she received a crystal rosary for being a 75 year member.

Vera is survived by her son John Michael Kessler of Davenport and her two daughters; Margaret Ann (Larry) Edens of Davenport and Mary R. Mueller of Iowa City. She is also survived by her four grandchildren; Dan Edens and David Edens of Davenport, Michael (Kelly) Mueller of Oakland, CA and Greg (Dr. Denisse) Mueller of Baltimore, MD, and her two great-grandchildren Anna and Sophie Mueller both of Baltimore, MD.

Vera was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her two sisters Mary (Mrs. Joseph Sweeney) and Ann (Mrs. Paul Kessler), and a son-in-law Loyle Mueller

The family would like to thank all of the loving and caring people that she enjoyed at the Solon Care Center during the last months of her life.