Ellen Kessler Obituary

Kessler, Ellen Joyce (nèe Baldwin)

Ellen Joyce (nèe Baldwin) Kessler passed away peacefully at her home on October 14, 2024, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with dementia.

Ellen was born in Lake Forest, IL on March 30, 1931 to Matthew and Catherine (Koopmann) Baldwin.

Ellen was united in marriage to H. Richard (Dick) Kessler on April 26, 1952 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake Forest, Il. They resided in Lake Forest until they moved to Antioch, Il in 1960.

Dick and Ellen moved to Antioch in 1960 where they raised their six children. They continue to reside in Antioch.

Ellen was very active in the Antioch Woman's Club and the Antioch OS Golf League. She was instrumental in forming 4H clubs and girls tee ball and softball leagues. She and Dick loved to golf and spent many winters in Scottsdale, Arizona. Ellen loved to travel, especially cruising the Caribbean. She loved her friends, especially her friends in golf leagues and the Antioch Woman's Club. Ellen enjoyed socializing and was famous for taking a long time to say goodbye. She enjoyed music of all kinds, from big band to pop and country. Her children remember her lovely alto voice as she sang to them on the way home from visiting relatives, and many friends remember that she loved to sing along to country songs, especially "Red Solo Cup". Ellen loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor and a wonderful sense of adventure.

Ellen is survived by her husband of 72 years Dick Kessler, children Donna Marshall, Laura Kessler Becker, Marla (Dale) Rimkus, Dick (Pam) Kessler, Sandra (Bill) Moss, and Peter (Christi) Kessler. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Michael (Mariah) Outinen, Laura (Ryan) Balsewich, Katie (Mike) Rice, Adam Kessler, Eric (Becky) Kessler, Kevin (Kyle) Outinen, Matt (Sarah) Outinen, Sarah (Jake) Appolloni, Jack (Sam) Marshall, Ryan (Chrissy) Kessler, Emily (Tyler) Raymaker, Milena Kessler, Aiden Kessler, Sarah (Ryan) Crothers, and Nate (Ashley) Rimkus who lovingly call her Grandma. Ellen was also immensely proud of her great-grandchildren Lila, Ellie, Lizzie, Miina, TJ, Ethan, Mya, Isla, Annie, Chloe, Emmy, Jack, Courtney, Carter, Zoe, Isabella, Alexandra, Jae, Brady, Eli, Matt, Kieran, Nolan, Leo, and Henry who love her as GeGe. She is also survived by her two sisters, Katy Miller and Penny (Ron) Graw. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her parents-in-law Kasper and Katherine Kessler, and her brother Matt Baldwin Jr.

Memorial Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. with Sharing and Remembrances to commence at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Strang Funeral Home, 1055 Main St., Antioch, IL 60002.

For additional information, call 847-395-4000.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Antioch Woman's Club, P.O. Box 282, Antioch, IL 60002 or The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org or 400 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60611.

All are welcome to sign the online guestbook for Ellen at www.strangfh.com.

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