Stella Kessler

Obituary for Stella Alwine Kessler

Stella Alwine Kessler died on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the beautiful age of 101. She was born on July 16, 1920, to Ed and Alwine Fuchs. She lived on the La Bahia Prairie until the age of 26, when she married Paul D. Kessler, Jr. on June 30, 1946. She moved to Burton where she was a homemaker, and her husband operated Kessler’s Garage. She was a precious mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Donald and Suzanne Kessler of Burton, Texas, and Henry and Cindy Kessler of Denham Springs, Louisiana; grandchildren: Paul David Kessler of Katy, Texas, Mark Edward Kessler of Lago Vista, Texas, and Billy and Mary Kessler Fine of Buda, Texas; Justin and Nicole Pichon of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Staci Grimes of Magnolia, Texas.

Great grandchildren are Cole and Trista Kessler of Round Rock, Texas; Davin, Jaycee and Demi Pichon, and Elliott Leblanc of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Kannon Grimes.

Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Paul D. Kessler, Jr.; parents, Ed and Alwine Fuchs; her siblings and their spouses: Robert and Anita Fuchs Zimmermann, Calvin and Nell Fuchs, and Lorenz and Gerdine Fuchs; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Milroy and Jenny Jo Runge Kessler, and William and Dorthy Kessler Tockhorn.

Stella was the oldest member of St. John’s UCC, where she was baptized on September 26, 1920, confirmed on March 25, 1934, and married on June 30, 1946. She picked cotton and was known as the best cotton picker in her family; she would out-pick her brothers. She saved her money from picking cotton and bought herself a sewing machine. She and Myrtle Guelker drove to Brenham for sewing lessons. She was a member of the Mary Martha Sewing Group, a member of Circle 1 and Circle 2, and she served on the funeral serving committee for over 60 years. Before internet was available, Stella was the chairman of the phone prayer chain for St. John’s. When someone needed prayer, Stella made sure that person was covered with prayers; she notified everyone on her list and then she fervently prayed for them herself. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and she truly loved sitting at the bank or Post Office with poppies on Memorial Day. She was very patriotic and always wore her red, white, and blue. She loved to play bingo and would travel to the nursing homes in Brenham to help the “old” folks play bingo. Bingo was her favorite activity on July 4th, when she and her granddaughter would play bingo at the American Legion Hall all afternoon. She also enjoyed playing 42 and 88, a game which takes two sets of dominoes. A week before Stella became ill with pancreatitis, she was beating her granddaughter and son-in-law in a game of 42.

Stella never drove a car, but she managed to get to every event or 42 club party that she wanted. She never strayed too far from Washington County. She went to New Mexico on her honeymoon, and to Louisiana to visit Henry and Cindy. She was very content staying home making potato salad for July 4th celebration, quilting with her friends, taking care of her grandchildren, making rice krispies treats for them, and visiting with neighbors. She was a master at the art of conversation.

Serving as pallbearers are Paul Kessler, Mark Kessler, Billy Fine, Dean Fuchs, Randy Howard, and Ronnie Polasek.

Visitation is Friday, October 1, and the family will be present from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Church services will be Saturday, October 2 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s UCC, 516 Colorado Street, Burton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s UCC, PO Box 180, Burton, Texas.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, Texas 77833.