Patricia Mae Kessler, 72

Patricia Mae Kessler, 72, passed away June 17, 2007, after a lengthy illness. Patricia was born June 28, 1934, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Pearl Lucile Winans and Ralph Cleverley Barnes. She was their first child, the oldest of six girls and one boy. She was named Patricia because her mother liked the name (but they have always called her Patty) and she was named Mae after her dad's mother.

Patty was a talented person that had a lovely singing voice and an excellent craftsmaker. She worked hard her entire life. As the oldest child she was expected to help raise the other children. She worked hard in the Idaho potato and other fields. After she was married she bore eight children, seven from 1958 to 1963, and one in 1976. Her legacy of hard work, dedication to family, and testimony of love through adversity will be with us through all time and throughout all eternity.

Survivors include her husband, John Kessler, of Kalispell; five sisters, Jean and Frank Adamson of Ucon, Idaho; Joan and Larry Field of Grant, Idaho; Carol and Wayne Heiskari of Boise, Idaho; Mary Lou Barnes of Blackfoot, Idaho, and Shirley and Kevin Morris of Shreveport, La.; and one brother, Ralph Barnes of Clarkston, Wash.

Patricia is also survived by eight children, Bryan Kessler of Laurel; Kevin and Kimberly Kessler of King City, Calif., Sherry and Russel Dohr of Kalispell, Sheryl Ruggles of San Diego, Mark Kessler of Laurel, Kent and Julia Kessler of Childress, Texas, Kay and Bobby Raymond of Columbia Falls, and Cindy Kessler of Kalispell; grandchildren, Jackie Ruggles of Laurel, Wendy and James Storey of San Diego, Brittney Dohr, Courtney Dohr and Joshua Dohr, all of Kalispell, Bobbie Ann Raymond, Stephanie Raymond, Tianna Raymond, Nicholas Raymond and Rebbecca Raymond, all of Columbia Falls, David Kessler, Johnathan Kessler, Rachel Kessler, Casha Kessler and Hannah Kessler, all of Childress, Donna Kessler of Kalispell, Cora Kessler, Moriah Kessler and Jacob Kessler, all of King City; and great-grandchildren, Destinee Kessler of Kalispell, and Athena Storey and Aidian Storey, both of San Diego.

"We pray that her passing will help us remember to be a little more loving one to another. Let her passing be a unification of our family, of loving service to family, of dedicated hard work, and a testimony of endurance and may she be remembered in our hearts and minds as one who had the courage to live a Christ-centered life."

There will be a viewing from 3 to 7 p.m. today, June 20, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell. A closed casket service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kalispell with Bishop Frank Wraught presiding. For more information contact the Buffalo Hill Funeral Home at (406) 752-0336.