Helen B. Gessner, (nee Brodzeller), age 80, of Kewaskum, passed away, Saturday, June 5, 2010 at The Kathy Hospice in the town of Polk.
She was born on July 22, 1929 to the late Joseph and Regina (nee Feucht) Brodzeller in Theresa. Helen attended St. Michael's Elementary School, graduated from West Bend High School in the class of 1947 and began working in the office at the Amity Company until 1949. On October 8, 1949 she was united in marriage to Wyman "Red" Gessner at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in West Bend. She began working alongside Red on the farm and stayed home to raise her children. While working in the field each day, she made a hot and delicious homemade meal every night. Helen enjoyed being the unpaid secretary and accountant for their entire household and farm. She was a great example of a committed wife and loving mother. They retired from farming in 1990.
Helen enjoyed going to Rummage Sales and was an avid quilt maker; supplying her children and grandchildren with many warm, beautiful quilts and crocheted fabric rugs.
She is survived by her loving husband, Red; her three children, Diane (Mark) Fechter of West Bend, Keith Gessner of Kewaskum and Debbie (Bob) Ludowissi of West Bend; seven grandchildren, Tim, Dave, Jessica, Nick, Tony, Ashley and Adam; four great-grandchildren; Autumn, Emily, Amy and Isaac; other relatives and friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Michael; sisters, Ann Dricken and Juliette Schrauth; and brothers, Victor, Stanley, Sylvester, Cornelius and Andrew Brodzeller.
Funeral Services in honor of Helen will be held on Wednesday, June 9th at 7:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend with Dan Schroeder officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home Wednesday from 4:00 pm until the time of the service. Burial will take place Thursday, June 10th at 10:00 am in the St. Mary's Cemetery in the town of Barton.
Memorials in Helen's name to The Kathy Hospice are appreciated by the family.