Margie Mae Kesler

MARGIE MAE KESLER

May 7, 1932 – December 12, 2018

      Margie Mae Kesler, age 86, a long time Sebeka, MN area resident, peacefully passed into the glorious splendor of eternity on Wednesday, December 12, 2018, surrounded by her loved ones at the CHI St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN.

      Margie was born on May 7, 1932, in Marshall, Illinois to Russell and Victoria (Turner) Lee.  She began her education in a one-room country schoolhouse near her family’s farm.  Growing up on the farm, she learned the value of good hard work and began helping with the daily chores when she was just 4 years old. The first money she ever earned was made from butchering chickens.  She was 16 years old before her family received the luxury of electricity.  She graduated from the Marshall Public High School in 1951. Margie then went on to attend nursing school at the Michael Reese Hospital on Chicago’s south side where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1954. On December 23^rd, 1954, she was united in marriage to Andrew Delbert Kesler in Marshall, IL.  They were blessed with four children.  Margie began her nursing career working as the head nurse in the operating room of St. Anthony’s Hospital in Terra Haute, IN.  With the birth of her children, Margie suspended her nursing career and devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and young children.  She was a wonderful cook and baker who will be long remembered for her delicious chicken and noodles and her homemade pies.  She was an accomplished seamstress who sewed many articles of clothing for herself, her children and many friends.  In the late 1950’s, the Keslers moved to Plainview, TX where they made their home until moving to Rockville, CT in the early 1960’s.  In 1968, they made the move to Samsonville, NY.  In 1972, they made their final move to Sebeka, MN where she has called home ever since. When her children grew older, Margie resumed nursing as a home health nurse for Wadena County. Margie was a woman who walked closely with the Lord.  She was a long time member of the Sebeka Methodist Church.  For several years they attended the Wadena Assembly of God Church before finding their final church home at Faith Baptist Church in Park Rapids in 1998 which is now known as the Faithbridge Church.  Margie’s love for children led her to work with the MOPS Program there.  She was very involved with her husband in the work of the Wadena County Independent Republicans.  At their annual fundraisers her homemade pies always were a crowd favorite and sold at a premium.  Over the years the Keslers took in many young people and mentored and cared for them as if they were their own.  In 2005, Margie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent aggressive chemotherapy which unfortunately severely damaged her heart only allowing it to function at 30% efficiency and caused her to live with congestive heart failure the rest of her days. Through her sheer determination and the power of prayer she was able to live an active life to the age of 86.

      Margie will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Victoria Gullett of Park Rapids, MN, Martin (Cindy) Kesler of Miltona, MN, Matthew Kesler and Douglas (Becky) Kesler all of Sebeka; her five dearly loved grandchildren and 1 ½ great-grandsons; her brother, Roger (Sharon) Lee of Riverside, CA; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

      She was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew in September of 2014; two grandsons: Jacob and Joshua who died in infancy; four siblings: David, Donald, Edna and Wayne and her parents.

      Funeral services will be held 11 AM Friday, December 21, 2018 at the Faithbridge Church in Park Rapids with the Rev.Ken Polley officiating.  The soloist will be Bill Dent who will sing, “Beautiful Garden Of Prayer”.  The organist will be Penel Jensen.  Active casket bearers will be: Martin Kesler, Matthew Kesler, Douglas Kesler, David Gullett, Ethan Kesler, and Travis Waltzer.  The honorary casket bearers will be:  Doug Aird, Abi Waltzer, Laura Baldwin, Megan Kesler, Robert Brostrom and Billy Sather. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM Friday at the church.  Following the service her church family will host a luncheon for all.

      To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com