Elizabeth Ann Kessler

Elizabeth Ann Kessler, age 72 of Center Line, died Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at St. John Hospital in Detroit. Elizabeth was born October 4, 1944 in Reed City, Michigan, daughter of the late Russell and the late Ann (nee: Kailing) Erbes.When Elizabeth initially pondered what career path she should follow, there must have been a tug on her heart that God was preparing her for something quite special,…the molding and mentoring of young hearts and lives as a teacher. It began with the position she accepted as an elementary school teacher at St. Mark's Catholic School in Warren. She taught at St. Mark's for 3 years before taking a new position as an elementary teacher for the Center Line Public Schools system, a career which would culminate in 39 years of service before accepting her well-deserved retirement. She poured her heart and soul into her work and the countless children that passed through her classes over the years. She was truly a dedicated teacher.Following high school, Elizabeth decided to further her education and learning by attending Mercy College in Detroit,…known today as University of Detroit Mercy, a private Roman Catholic co-educational university that aided in preparing Elizabeth for the task ahead. Yet if you were to have talked to Elizabeth, she might have conveyed it was more of a ministry for her. Attending Mercy College provided her a plethora of experiences and opportunities, and one very special and blessed provision,…the man who would become her husband, Ron Kessler. The two met during Elizabeth's senior year at school and blossomed into a relationship that led them to the altar at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Reed City, Michigan in 1966. She was 22 years old and the two newlyweds were blessed to share the next 50 years together,…growing deeper in love with each other, and closer to God as one in His eyes.For the past two years, Elizabeth and Ron have been enjoying a very special and unique family of believers, having professed themselves in 2014 as members of the Third Order Secular Franciscans, a community patterned after the life and ministry of St. Francis of Assisi. An extension and public profession of their faith, the two have immersed themselves in the path set forth by one of the most revered saints within the Catholic Church. Elizabeth enjoyed many other passions like the membership shared with her fellow sister's in the Teachers Sorority of Alpha Delta Kappa. Another was each time she donned the familiar headpiece as a member of the iconic "Red Hat Society." A cadre of women who doll themselves up, throw on the red hat, and head out for some great food, fellowship and fun,…and it had Elizabeth's name written all over it. She also loved to travel and spent considerable time covering her own home state of Michigan. With all its unique and scenic splendor, Elizabeth simply enjoyed becoming increasingly familiar with "The Mitten,"…and often captured much of its beauty through the camera lens with another of her favorite pastimes, the art of photography. For Elizabeth, it was far more than simply snapping pictures. It was seizing a moment for posterity's sake and allowing her eye to be the palate and her finger the paint brush. Through the years, Elizabeth managed to amass quite the collection of photographic splendor. Another passion was found in her fascination with genealogy. Tracing people's lives back to their beginnings or simply learning more through studying and researching historical data was also something that intrigued Elizabeth. Perhaps it was the teacher in her that drove much of her interest. And in telling a story about Elizabeth, it just wouldn't be replete without mentioning her immense love for her pets. An animal lover to the core, her pets always provided that special warm & fuzzy connection that makes a sad day joyful and a happy day ecstatic. And it only made sense, seeing as she was part of a Franciscan Order, that animals played an important role in her life.Yet of all the aspects of life that brought her the greatest joy, it was the family get-togethers that meant the most. And to add to that joy came her passion for preparing the food that was always the center of the gathering,…as with most families. Elizabeth possessed the skills and talents for whipping up some culinary masterpieces, and her family was truly the blessed benefactors. It's been said; "when you're eating, you're happy,"…and happiness always seemed to flow from the Kessler Kitchen. Yum!A cherished wife, mother and grandmother, Elizabeth's love was as vast as the oceans and her compassion ran deep. With God as her guide, faith as her strength, and a beloved soul mate by her side, Elizabeth was a truly a teacher to all and an inspiration that touched a multitude of hearts and lives along the way. She will be missed immensely, yet remembered affectionately with each reflection shared. May she rest in peace.Elizabeth was the loving wife of Ronald. Dear mother of David and Daniel Kessler. Beloved grandmother of Deven Rekos & Darian Rekos Kessler. Cherished sister of Marie Taylor, Frances Postema, Joann Erbes (Jean Chenoweth), Suzanne Erbes, the late Russell Erbes, Jr., and the late Barbara Kingsbury. Also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.Visitation for Elizabeth will be held Thursday, December 8th from 3 - 9 pm, with a Franciscan evening vigil at 7:00 pm, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Road) in Warren. She will lie in state on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of her Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church - St. Clement Site in Center Line, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Capuchin Mission Assoc. or to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, 1820 Mt. Elliott Street, Detroit, Michigan 48207. Please share memories of Elizabeth at her memory book above.