Tomasita Kessel

Funeral Services for Tomasita ?Tommie? Kessel, 86 of Dickinson will be 9:00 a. m. Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at St. Patrick?s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Father Todd Kreitinger Celebrating. Burial will take place at St. Bernard?s Catholic Cemetery, Belfield. Visitation will take place from 1:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Rosary and Vigil service take place at 7:00 p. m. Tommie passed away, Thursday, December 9, 2010 at St. Benedict?s Health Center in Dickinson. Tomasita Kessel was born August 5, 1924 to Ernesto and Rosalina (Rodriguez) Martinez in Ponce Puerto Rico. Tommie grew up in Ponce attending grade school, and graduating from Ponce High School. She completed her education at Catholic University of Puerto Rico Hospital de Damas, where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse. After her schooling Tommie traveled to North Dakota to help her sister through a difficult pregnancy. During this time she met Wendell Kessel. Tommie married Wendell on January 30, 1951 at St. Bernard?s Catholic Church in Belfield. The couple made their home in Belfield where they raised their family. They moved to Dickinson in 1971 and Tommie has lived there ever since. During her time in both Belfield and Dickinson Tommie worked at St. Joseph?s Hospital as an O. R. Nurse. She retired in 1986 but continued to volunteer at the hospital for many years. Tommie loved spending time with her family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed traveling and made many summer visits to see her family in Puerto Rico. She also enjoyed gardening and baking. She was a member of St. Patrick?s Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary, Catholic Daughters, Cub Scout Den Mother. She is survived by her son Lloyd Kessel of Dickinson, ND; Daughters, Wanda Kilzer of Mesa, AZ; Yvette (Greg Bavendick) Hecker of Mandan, ND; seven grandchildren, Duane (Tammy) Kilzer, Angela Kilzer, Derrick (Amanda) Hecker, Nathan Hecker, Mathew Hecker, Taylor & Danielle Kessel; three great-grandchildren Hunter, Ryder and Hailie Hecker; three brothers, Ernesto (Ester) Martinez, Carlos (Carmen) Martinez, Luisto Martinez all of Puerto Rico; six sisters, Annie Martinez, Mirian Martinez, Andrea Martinez all of Puerto Rico, Carmen Martinez, Sarah (David) Landstrom both of Wyoming; Lydia West of Illinois; three brothers-in-law, Joe Betchner of Illinois; Tato Rivera of Puerto Rico; Mario Serrano of New York; sister-in-law Luz Martinez of Puerto Rico; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Wendell, son Duane, both parents, and siblings, Emma, Gina, Juanny, Pedro and Edger.


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Burial Date: December 15, 2010
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church