EILEEN MARIE HAMMERLY KESSLER was born July 13, 1931, in Albany, Green County, Wisconsin, to Fred Hammerly and Minnie Schulthess Hammerly (both deceased). Jesus finished Eileen's heavenly mansion on Saturday, December 10, 2022, and took her home. She had been living in Dallas, TX; she was 91.

Eileen was proud of her Swiss heritage; both of her parents immigrated as children to the United States from Switzerland. Swiss German was her first language, as English was not spoken in their home until Eileen started primary school. She and her brother, Fred Hammerly (deceased), were the only children in the family. Her grandparents, parents, she, and her brother all lived on her grandfather's dairy farm on the edge of Albany, not far from her only cousin, Rosetta Schulthess Milligan.

Eileen attended Albany Public Schools, was confirmed at age 16 in the Zwingli Church in Albany, played clarinet in the high school band, and spent her summers during high school working as a dental assistant for the local dentist, including mixing fillings. She enjoyed going to wedding dances and said on numerous occasions that the farm boys were the best dancers in the county... of course, until she met her future husband, Jim Kessler, at the University of Wisconsin.

Eileen graduated from Albany High School as valedictorian in 1948 before attending the University of Wisconsin, where she majored in English. She joined the Sigma Kappa sorority, serving as the sorority President as well as the Chapter Correspondent for the Sigma Kappa National Magazine.

In the summer of 1951 she went to Washington, DC, with some sorority sisters to work with the U.S. Navy as a civilian in the War Department.

She enjoyed college and sorority life, especially after meeting the friendly, dashing, and handsome Jim Kessler her freshman year. Recently honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, Jim swept her off her feet, literally, on the dance floor. He introduced his best friend to Eileen's best friend, who later married. Eileen and Jim were married on Valentine's Day, 1952, in the Evangelical & Reformed Church of Belleville, WI. They remained happily married for 54 years until God called Jim home in 2006.

Eileen and Jim both graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1952, Eileen graduating Magna Cum Laude. Jim began a 30+ year career with General Electric Company. The happy couple moved to Schenectady, NY, began their family, and eventually settled in Tulsa, OK.

Eileen invested herself caring for their four children, Julie, Christie, Jim, and Laura. She gave her heart fully to the Lord one Sunday in 1966, and Jim followed her example a few weeks later. She and Jim were active in Tulsa Bible Church, Gideons International, and world missions. Eileen sang in the choir, helped Jim lead a small group at TBC, and was active in Praying Grandmas. She particularly loved Child Evangelism Fellowship and Good News Clubs, hosting them in her home for many years.

She resided the past five years at the Tradition, Dallas, near her daughter, Julie. She and her family appreciated the excellent and kind care she received from her care givers there. She loved the Lord, talked about Him all the time, and often prayed with and for her care givers. She prayed for her family continually. The day she passed, many of them came to her room to express their condolences and several said, "She just prayed with me yesterday; I can't believe she is gone."

Eileen loved God and people, maintained a positive and grateful spirit, and reminded everyone she met that God will never leave or forsake them, to her last day. She often said, "Whatever you are going through, God is with you." "You belong to God, and He will help you through whatever you are doing." "What a blessing God's promises are, and the most important thing is to know Jesus." She lived a great legacy.

She is survived by her children - Julie Harrison (husband Dean), Christie Atchison (husband Kevin), Jim Kessler (wife Lynn), and Laura Brophy.

She is also survived by her grandchildren - Jeffrey Harrison (Stephanie), Emily Harrison, Jimmy Atchison (Cindy), Mike Atchison (Mary Anne), Sarah Lee (Josh), Merrilee Kohout (Spencer), Julianne Kessler, Courtney Kessler, Patrick Brophy (fiance Cara Nolan), Michael Lawrence Brophy (deceased), and Andy Brophy (Alexis).

And great grandchildren - Grant, Kate, David, Luke, Ella, Eli, Felicity, Henry, Anya, Natalia, Daniel, and Abigail, as well as numerous Kessler nieces and nephews.

If you prefer to make a memorial donation instead of flowers, you may give by clicking on the following links:

Child Evangelism Fellowship

Cru

Gideons International

or the charity of your choice.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK.

Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233