Obit: Gessert, Norbert William (1922 - 2008)
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gessert, Dix, Holleran, Cooper, Heinlein, Hartl, Beyer, Dawson, Matthes, Nachtman, Ziegahn

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) 24 Apr. 2008

Gessert, Norbert William (31 Aug. 1922 - 22 Apr. 2008)

Norbert William Gessert, 85, of Marshfield, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 22, 2008, at the House of the Dove with the love of his family surrounding him.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Rembs Funeral Home. The Rev. Kenneth Dix will officiate. Following the service military rites will be conducted at the funeral home by the American Legion Post No. 54 of Marshfield.

The visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the funeral home. An Elks Lodge of Sorrow will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Norb was born Aug. 31, 1922, in the town of Spencer. He attended Shady Lane Country School and St. John's Parochial School and received his high school diploma while in the service of his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged as a T/Sergeant in 1945 after serving in the European Theater. Upon returning to the states he attended Oshkosh School of Business.

Returning to Marshfield, he pursued his life-long career as a car and truck salesman, known for his honesty and integrity in dealing with his customers.

Norbert was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, The Marshfield Elks Lodge 665, the Marshfield American Legion Post No. 54, and the Marshfield Fraternal Order of Eagles Badger Aerie 624.

Norb loved nothing better than spending time at the cottage on the Eau Pleine with family and friends. He enjoyed boating, fishing and snowmobiling, but his greatest joy in his life was his family and he was truly loved by them. He married Patricia Holleran on Jan. 6, 1947. Norb and Pat made Marshfield their home where they raised four children, Barbara (Richard) Cooper of Waleska, Ga., Karen (Brian) Heinlein of Glidden, Marilyn (Clarence) Hartl of Marshfield, and Steven (Kris Beyer) Gessert of Altoona.

Norb and Pat have ten grandchildren, Lori (Jerry Dawson) Cooper and children, Connor and Cora Rose; David (Christina) Cooper and children, Jenna and Easton; Shawn (Darcee) Matthes and children, Dylan and Serenah; Kristina Matthes; Amber, Perry and Amy Hartl; and Tarin, Kate and Stephanie Gessert.

Norbert was predeceased by his mother and stepfather, Gertrude and Herman Nachtman; two special brothers-in-law, Bill Ziegahn and Mike Holleran; and beloved uncles and aunts.

A memorial in his name will be designated at a later date.