Deb Kessler

Debra M. KesslerFeb. 15, 1964- June 20, 2018

Debra M. Kessler, 54, of Columbus, Nebraska, died June 20, 2018, at Fremont Health Medical Center in Fremont, as a result of an auto accident.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 25, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey, with Rev. Wayne Pavela celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, with a Christian Mothers Rosary at 4 p.m. and a Vigil Service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation or those of the family choice.

Debra M. Kessler was born on Feb. 15, 1964, in Columbus, the youngest of nine children born to Wilfred and Romana (Herchenbach) Hemmer. She attended her early years of school at Lindsay Holy Family before transferring to Humphrey St. Francis, where she graduated high school. After high school, Deb received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Central Community College in Columbus and later became a Registered Nurse. She worked as a nurse at Columbus Community Hospital for 35 years, working the last several years as an emergency room nurse. Deb had a special gift and compassion in her work, and everyone who met her as a nurse seemed to remember her. She received the Daisy Award from Columbus Community Hospital in 2017 and had been previously named Nebraska Nurse of Year by the Lincoln Journal Star.

On June 28, 1986, Debra was united in marriage to Jack Kessler at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey. To this union, two children were born, Casey in 1993 and Kelsey in 1997. Her everlasting love, support, and kindness will always be felt by her children.

Deb was a faith-filled woman, full of compassion for others. She often listened to daily Mass during the week, and served as the co-president of Christian Mothers at St. Isidore Catholic Church for five years. Her faith and her family were most important to her and she acted as a second mother to many of her childrens' friends. Deb enjoyed playing tennis, golf, running (she ran the Lincoln Marathon with Jack once), and cheering on her children at their sporting events.

Deb is survived by husband Jack Kessler of Columbus, son Casey Kessler of Columbus, daughter Kelsey Kessler of Lincoln; sister Joan Frisch of Humphrey, sister Jolene (Dave) Boothby of Fresno, California; sister Jane (Roy) Schumacher of Omaha, sister Peg (Dale) Olmer of Columbus, sister Sue (Randy) Smith of Shelby, brother Dick (Evelyn) Hemmer of Humphrey, brother Don (Denise) Hemmer of Prior Lake, Minnesota; brother Allan (Mary Kay) of Bentonville, Arkansas.

Deb was preceded in death by parents Wilfred and Romana Hemmer; parents-in-law Eugene and Florentine Kessler; brother-in-law Kenneth Frisch, brother-in-law Don Kessler, niece Karla Frisch and nephew Gerry Frisch.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.