Adrienne Marie Kessler

Service Details

A private funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held at a later date. Afterward, she will be buried beside her son Timothy.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Sacred Heart Parish, 2201 Northwestern Ave., Racine, WI 53404 or Operation Bootstrap Inc., 5000 Heffron St., Stevens Point, WI 54481.

Adrienne Marie Kessler, 87, was called home to her Lord on Saturday, September 6, 2025.  She was a resident of Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, IL.  She was born in Fond du Lac, WI, on September 14, 1937, the eldest of three daughters of the late Ivan and Mary (née Van Dyke) Adrian.

After graduating from high school in Fond du Lac, she attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI, where she was a class officer and graduated cum laude with a degree in Medical Technology.  Afterward, she worked as a laboratory technologist for several years.  She met fellow student Richard A. Kessler at St. Norbert, and they were married on August 20, 1960. During their marriage, the Kesslers lived successively in Milwaukee, WI; Rantoul, IL; Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Franksville, and Racine, WI; and lastly in Wheeling.

They resided in Stevens Point from 1969 to 1996 and were members of Saint Stanislaus Catholic Church.  Adrienne served the Stevens Point community in many ways.  She was perhaps most proud of her 20 years of driving for Meals on Wheels.  After his retirement, Richard joined her on the circuit.

Adrienne had many talents and hobbies.  She enjoyed refinishing furniture, and her beautiful restorations are still enjoyed in the family.  She was also an accomplished knitter who loved outfitting her family with her creations and sharing her know-how with new generations.

She is remembered most of all for her love and devotion to Richard and their family.  She managed a household of seven with grace and grit.  She rarely thought about herself, and her self-sacrifice will inspire for years to come.  “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”  Prov. 31:28.

Surviving Adrienne are her husband, Richard A. Kessler, MD, their children: Jeffery (Joan) Kessler, MD, of Great Falls, MT; Lisa (David) Barrientez, of Racine, WI; David (Olga) Kessler, of Glenview, IL; and Michael (Tonya) Kessler, of Elgin, IL.  Grandchildren: Brooke, Jaclyn, Brayden, Kevin (Naomi), Kurt, Eric, Matthew, Adam, Lauren, Evan, Miriam, and Lydia.  Great-grandchildren: Parker, Roman, and Stevie.  Her sister, Patricia (John) Hickey, her nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive her.

In addition to her parents, Adrienne was preceded in death by son Timothy Kessler and sister Mary Lou (James) Pindel.