Surnames: Kessenich, Ehlert, Hoffman, Metcalf, York, Capes, Rasmussen, Kirner, Bakan

----Source: Chippewa Herald (Chippewa Falls, Wis.) 8 July 2004

Kessenich, John L. (12 April 1921 - 6 July 2004)

STANLEY __John L. Kessenich, 83, Stanley resident, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at the Oakbrook Health & Rehabilitation Center in Thorp.

He was born April 12, 1921, in Carson County, S.D., the son of Peter and Edith (Ehlert) Kessenich. As a young boy he and his family moved to the Owen area where he grew up and attended school.

John was united in marriage to Norma Hoffman on March 20, 1942, in Abbotsford. He then served his county in the U.S. Marine Corp during World War II in the South Pacific. After his tour of duty in the service he returned to the area to raise a family and has resided in Stanley since 1956 where he owned and operated Kessenich Motors- Chrysler Plymouth for 21 years.

For years he was involved in local community services, he was a Stanley Alderman, Mayor of Stanley form 1971-1978, Vice President of Stanley Area Historical Society and worked on county housing boards. John was an active Boy-Scout Leader, member of AAL Lamplighters and VFW Post # 2711. He was a member of the Maple Grove Bible Church and served in various church offices. He also was an avid world traveler.

He is survived by: his wife, Norma of Stanley; children, Carol (Don) Metcalf of Pierz, Minn., Nancy (George) York of Lincoln, Ark., Dennis (Becky) Kessenich of Eau Claire, and Jim Kessenich of Stanley; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Florence Capes of Marshfield, Margaret (Kris) Rasmussen of Owen and Joan (Don) Kirner of Cross Plains; two brothers, Arnold Kessenich of Middleton and Gilbert (Evie) Kessenich of Deerfield.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 9 at the Plombon Funeral Chapel, Stanley with Pastor Gordon Bakan officiating, Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Stanley, with military graveside rites being performed by the Stanley VFW Post # 2711.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday evening at the Plombon Funeral Home with prayer service to he held at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be sent to the Stanley Historical Society.