Kenneth Martin KESSLER

1925 - 2017

KESSLER, Kenneth Martin

Kenneth Martin Kessler was born December 10, 1925 to George and Marie (Martin) Kessler in Minneapolis, MN.
He grew up working on the farm and milking cows. Ken joined the Navy when he was 18 years old and served his country until November 1948. He was stationed on the USS Alabama in the Asiatic Pacific as a gunnery mate, winning the WWII Victory Medal. He met the love of his life in Bremerton, WA at the Blue Moon Dance Club while stationed there. Ken and Bessie Janes were married June 1, 1948; this year would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. They moved to Spokane in 1949 where Ken worked for Safeway Scaffolding and then Purina Plant and Mills. During those early years he discovered he liked working with people. Ken had a chance to start selling Grange Insurance and also took a Dale Carnegie course. That course helped him realize his potential. With just an eighth grade education, Ken realized he was a life-long learner and over the years became a well-known business man in the Spokane community.
While selling Grange Insurance, he became the manager for the six western states and traveled extensively. Ken and Bess were the Grange Family of the Year for the State of Washington in 1955, an honor he was proud of. Ken opened his own insurance brokerage firm selling various lines of insurance. He partnered with Ron Schoenberger as Kessler-Schoenberger Insurance Agency and they served the Spokane community for many years doing the work Ken loved. He was awarded the Professional Insurance Association (PIA) Provider of the Year Award; and was honored by this recognition.
Ken and Bessie enjoyed a lake home on Diamond Lake for many years and once retired, spent winters in Mesa, Arizona. They loved travel, dancing, playing cards and marbles. Kens favorite hobby was fishing and he had many fishing stories (tall fishing tails!!) over the years. He loved music. His grandchildren and great grandchildren were always amazed that he could play the harmonica and the spoons. Ken was elected Fire Commissioner for Fire District 8 and held that position for sixteen years. He loved the fire district work and the chance to meet and work with so many community members. He was a life member of Moran Prairie Grange and had been active in Rotary and PIA over the years.
Kenneth and Bessie were living at Redmond Heights Living Residence in Redmond, WA at the time of his passing. Preceding him in death were his parents George and Marie Kessler, brothers: Gene Kessler, Jerry Kessler, Larry Kessler and Donald Kessler.
He leaves behind his devoted and much loved wife Bessie Kessler; daughters: Mary Kittelson, Palouse, WA and Katherine Curry, Kirkland, WA; as well as son-in-law Dennis Kittelson; sisters: Shirley Maier, Sartell, MN, Patricia Ritter, Bloomington, MN and brother, Joe Kessler, Bella Vista, AR; brother-in-law Len Ritter and sister-in-law Dorleen Kessler; grandchildren and spouses: Casey and Kathryn Emtman, Kelly Emtman, Kyle and Michelle Emtman, Maria (Kittelson) Oliphant, Dennis (JR) and Melissa Kittelson, Darrin and Leah Kittelson, as well as thirteen great-grandchildren.
A memorial Service will be held at Memorial Gardens, Friday, May 26 at Noon followed by a gathering of family and friends at Longhorn Barbeque, 7611 West Sunset Highway, Spokane.