Wyman "Red" Gessner, of the town of Barton and a veteran of WWII, passed away on Veteran's Day Tuesday, November 11th, 2014 at the age of 88.
Red was born on March 21, 1926 in Boltonville to the late Otto and Norma (nee Kraetsch) Gessner. He attended Boltonville Elementary School and Random Lake High School. In 1944, during WWII, Red was drafted into the United States Army. He served overseas in France and Germany and was honorably discharged in 1946. In 1947 he began working at the Gehl Company. Two years later, on October 8, 1949, Red was united in marriage to Helen Brodzeller at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in West Bend. In 1956, while working at the Gehl Company, Red and Helen started the family farm where they raised a family of three children along with a number of cattle, chickens, and pigs.
In 1988, Red retired from the Gehl Company, but continued attending the company's annual Hexelbank Club meetings which he enjoyed. In 1990 he and Helen retired from farming, but Red didn't quit working. In 1991, he worked for the town of Barton where he cut weeds on the sides of Barton roads and did wood chipping for the town of Barton residents.
With his wife working at his side, Red helped neighbors, friends, and family with welding, building, planting, and animal care. He was always there to lend a helping hand.
Red is survived by his three children, Diane (Mark) Fechter of West Bend, Keith (Suzanne Squires) of Kewaskum, and Debbie (Bob) Ludowissi of West Bend; seven grandchildren, Tim, Dave, Jessica, Nick, Tony, Ashley, and Adam; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and dear friends.
Red was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen of 60 years; his infant son, Michael; his parents, Otto and Norma; his sister, Lois; and his brother, Leroy.
Family remembrances in honor of Red will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 12:00 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington St. West Bend, WI 53095). The family asks that anyone attending the service for Red bring a memory to share during the service. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of service at noon. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery on Forest View Road in the town of Barton.
Memorials to the Kewaskum Fire Department would be greatly appreciated by the family.
The family would like to thank the Washington County Sheriff's Department, the West Bend Fire and Police Departments, and the Kewaskum Fire Department for their commitment and dedication to helping the family find their dad, a veteran, on Veteran's Day.