William Kessel

BELFIELD - William D. Kessel, 69, Belfield, died Nov. 30, 2010, at his home. Bill's Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. MST Monday, Dec. 6, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Belfield, with Father Shannon Lucht as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery, with military honors provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post 144.

Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST Saturday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, from 3 to 6 p.m MST Sunday at the church and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. There will be a rosary and vigil at 4 p.m. MST Sunday at the church.

Bill was born July 11, 1941, at Belfield, the son of Gabriel and Louise (Hutzenbiler) Kessel. He was raised and educated at Belfield, having attended rural grade school and graduating from Belfield High School in 1959. Bill then served honorably in the United States Army from January 1963 to January 1965, with a tour in Germany.

Bill married Denise Mailloux on July 1, 1967, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Billings, Mont. He farmed and ranched north of Belfield with his brothers as Gabriel Kessel Sons, retiring in 2005. He had also worked on and off in the oilfield for 30 years.

Bill loved working around the farm with his skid steer and excavator. Special enjoyment came from spending time with his grandchildren. He was a mentor to his son Bill, and was always there to lend a helping hand on the farm. He belonged to the Belfield American Legion, St. Bernard's School Board, and the North Dakota Barley Council.

Bill is survived by his wife, Denise; their five children and 13 grandchildren, Chris Iszler (Taylor and Shawn), Casper, Wyo., Marney (Wade) Kadrmas (Kayla (Nate) Kimber and Bryce), Bismarck, Carrie (Matt) Carroll (Hallie and Quirt), Galeton, Colo., Shelbey (Aaron) Jacobson (Chase, Rider, Race and Windy), Noonan, and Bill (Candace) Kessel (Abby, Braden and Mason), Dickinson; 11 siblings, Louie (Vinette) Kessel, Nisland, S.D., Norbert Kessel, Dickinson, Joe (JoAnn) Kessel, Fairfield, Richard (Mary Ann) Kessel, Belfield, Tony (Teresa) Kessel, Belfield, Barbara Chauncey, Rapid City, S.D., Arnie (Kate) Kessel, Dickinson, Hank (Kathy) Kessel, Bowman, Roger (Lynette) Kessel, Fairfield, Floyd (Melinda) Kessel, Houston, Texas, and Jeff (Jeril) Kessel, Spearfish, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Morgan Reece Kessel; and brother-in-law, Tom Chauncey.