DAWN MARIE CARGILL KESSLER

Milton-Freewater, Ore.

Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home

Dawn Marie Cargill Kessler, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, passed away January 17, 2011, at her home at the age of 46 years. A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, January 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at the M-F Junior Show Livestock Grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the M-F Junior Show through the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater, Oregon 97862.

Dawn was born July 3, 1964, to her mother Kathy May Underwood and her father Jerry Cargill. She moved with her family to Kennewick, Washington, in 1969 where they found a small family farm in Finley, Washington, where she and her sisters were raised and learned to appreciate the love of the land and animals. She showed cattle at the Benton-Franklin County Fair from the time she was 9 years old until she graduated from River View High School in 1982. She was a champion showman, exceptional softball player and a sureshot for the other team on the basketball squad. Her love of the animals and the fair landed Dawn her best friend and love of her life, Randy Kessler, after his fair entry form said he was single and looking. Before diving into rural life in Umapine, Dawn was the youngest member in Washington on the local school board for Finley School District at the age of 19. She attended and graduated from Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington, with her associate's degree. Dawn and Randy were married May 17, 1986, in Kennewick and were looking forward to celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary this year. After their marriage, they dreamed of starting their own family and were overjoyed when two beautiful daughters were born in their hearts, they welcomed home Tierra and Cheyenne in 1996. Two years later, their family of four grew to five with the big surprise of their son Cody. Dawn was a loving mother, devoted wife, faithful daughter, superb sister and fast friend. She and Randy spent numerous hours and sleepless nights with both their children and their cattle. She was the mom cheering at every game, watching from every grandstand and standing up for her family's future. She was deeply loved by everyone she touched, from a warm hello to dancing on a field. Dawn was the person that could make you feel like you could just be yourself. Loved by many and missed by all, Dawn will forever hold the hearts of her friends and family. She and Randy own Kessler Angus. She was an avid supporter of 4-H, FFA, the Junior Angus Association and the Junior Cattleman's Association. She was a member of the American Angus Association, Oregon Cattlemen's Association, Walla Walla Cattlemen's Association, Washington Cattlemen's Association and Umatilla County Cattlemen's Association.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Randy Kessler at the home; 2 daughters, Tierra Kessler and Cheyenne Kessler both of Milton-Freewater, Oregon; a son Cody Kessler of Milton-Freewater, Oregon; her mother Kathy Underwood of Kennewick, Washington; her father Jerry Cargill of Goldendale, Washington; 2 sisters, April Connors of Kennewick, Washington, Cheryl Porter of Tigard, Oregon, and numerous nieces and nephews.