Serena Stephen Kessler
Jan. 9, 1921-Dec. 16, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 10:15 AM PST
Vale — Serena Stephen Kessler, 86, passed away Dec. 16, 2007, with her children around her, singing her favorite hymns.
You are invited to share in her precious memory. Viewing is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Lienkaemper Chapel, Ontario. Graveside services are noon, Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Owyhee Cemetery. Memorial service is at 2 p.m., Dec. 19, at Vale Christian Church, 450 A. St. West, Vale.
Serena was born Jan. 9, 1921, in Parma, Idaho, of Susan Wallace Norland and Axel Peterson Norland. She was raised in Parma, Idaho. Nov. 22, 1941, she married Joseph Joyce Stephen, a marriage of 55 years. May 25, 1997, she married Kenneth Kessler, a marriage of six years. Serena’s sisters are Ida Findley and Axella Stephen. Her brothers are Daniel Norland and Lester Norland.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, daughter Jennifer Cox and brothers Art Norland, Palmer Norland, Roger Norland and Raymond Norland, and three great-grandchildren.
Serena’s children are Pauline Sheehan, Joanne Anderson, Mark Stephen, Marilynn Mertes, Christine Markle, Peter Stephen, Ruth Fulleton, Fred Stephen and their families.
Her stepdaughters are Susan Chandler and Kay Johnson. Serena has 35 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren.
After her children were in school, she graduated as LPN, 1965, and RN, 1975 ( at age 52). Her nursing career was a ministry to neighbors and local nursing homes and hospitals. Humble, yet passionate, she loved her family, all 89 of them. Other passions were chocolate, red, flowers — especially roses — music — especially piano, mandolin, banjo, organ and singing — and horses. She will be missed immensely. Long live her memory and what she instilled in her family! Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.
