Gwen Kessler Obituary

Kessler
GWEN KESSLER
April 4, 1922 December 25, 2018
Gwen Kessler was born to John and Florence Chase on April 4, 1922 in Valley City, North Dakota. She lived in North Dakota until 1950 when she and her first husband, John Denius, relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Together they had five children, the first four being boys and the last one, a girl. That marriage ended in divorce.
Gwen was devoted to raising her children, often working two jobs at the same time. She was one of the first to break the proverbial "glass ceiling" of realizing that she could do the job of a man. She worked at Colorado Interstate Gas Company, first as a telephone operator and then challenged the HR department to hire her as the first woman to work in the gas control division of the company. CIG gave her the opportunity, retiring from CIG after 23 years.
She met the love of her life, Mort Kessler, in 1972. They were married in August 1974 in Cooperstown, NY.
After her retirement in 1987, she spent the rest of her life nurturing her garden, which at one time consisted of over 90 roses. She was a long time knitter as well, creating many beautiful sweaters, afghans, scarves, etc.
Gwen was tough. She endured the loss of three sons, Tony, Timy, and Rodney, as well as the loss of Mort, a grandson, Michael and her three sisters. Through all that her faith in the Lord did not waiver. She is survived by her son, Randy, and daughter, Sandy (Colin); also surviving are grandsons, Carl and James; granddaughters, Brandy, Lisa, Lydia, Melissa, Victoria and Teresa; great grandchildren, Rachel, Michael, Daniel, Melanie, Connor, Joss, Braedon, Liam and Max.
Being a lifelong smoker, she proved that smoking doesn't kill you. She started smoking at 14 and lived past 96. Gwen donated her body to the Anatomical Board of Colorado. Won't they be surprised?!
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 11:00 am at Calvary Worship Center, 501 Castle Rd., Colorado Springs. Please wear pearls in her honor and happy colors. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to: Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or to the Leadville Animal Shelter, 428 E. 12th St., Leadville, CO 80461.