Rosalie Kesseler

June 6, 1943 - July 24, 2025

Her Legacy… Rosalie Kesseler, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on July 24, 2025. She was born on June 6, 1943, in Alpena Michigan to Joseph and Mary (Sobczynski) Skowronek. She graduated from Alpena Catholic Central High School in 1961. She married the love of her life James Kesseler May 2, 1964.

Rosalie became a Licensed Practical Nurse serving in Grayling Michigan and at a hospital near Fort Meade Maryland army base. When Rosie and Jim celebrated the birth of their first child Cindy, who had special needs, she focused on raising a family and it grew as they they welcomed the arrival of Brian, Carla and Cheryl. Additionally she supported the family real estate business with her administration skills.

Rosalie is remembered for being a beautifully loving, thoughtful, positive, strong, faith-filled woman. Her smile, warmth and joyful personality filled a room and carries on in her spirit.

Rosalie created an extraordinary legacy by her humble yet impactful example. Her kindness radiated to her family, friends and all who knew her. She has several nieces and nephews that adore her. She was proud of their Polish heritage. She looked forward to gatherings of the extended Skowronek ‘Polish’ family as well as the Kesseler family. She valued education so motivated her children to do well, was an avid reader and a continuous learner - even more tech savvy than some of her kids at times. She was an excellent student with high standards for herself to achieve top grades when she took business courses. Her tenacity extended to providing the best care for Cindy. She demonstrated graceful and admirable perseverance in her own many physical challenges. She ran an organized and beautiful household which is not to be overlooked for the intangible, positive impact her hard work provided for the family. Even her pets lived a good life in return for the happiness they gave her.

Her Family…. Rosalie will be missed tremendously by her many family members. Rosalie was the second eldest with five siblings. She was very close with all of her siblings including Joni (Herb) Heger, Sylvia (Jack) Ferguson, Joseph (Ann) Skowronek, Patrick (Linda) Skowronek and Annette (Mike) Kavanaugh. Rosalie felt like a sister to Jim’s siblings too. George (Nancy) Kesseler, Roger (Phyllis) Kesseler, Tom (Georgia) Kesseler and family friend Ruth Uhl. She was a loving wife of James Kesseler, proud mother of Cynthia Kesseler, Brian & Shelly Kesseler, Carla Egan and Cheryl & Steve Batkoski. Rosalie beamed with joy about her 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons and followed closely all the activities even when she was not physically able to attend. She was so pleased to see photos of her first great-grandson, Rian Joseph born in July, and the updates of her second great-grandson baby McCallum due in September.

Her Farewell…. Friends and family can gather to celebrate Rosalie’s life, Wednesday July 30, 2025, at Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home, 1108 W. North Down River Rd, Grayling MI 49738, from 5:00-8:00pm.

Thursday July 31, 2025 9am visitation and 10am Mass with Father Jerry Hunko presiding at St. Mary Catholic Church, 707 Spruce St., MI 49738. All attendees are welcome for a luncheon gathering after Mass at the parish banquet center. Private burial service to follow at a future date.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to a memorial scholarship at Crawford AuSable Excellence in Education Foundation (CAEEF) at CAEEF, ATTN: Cheri Helsel, Crawford AuSable School District, 1135 North Old U.S. 27, Grayling, MI 49738 or online at https://www.casdk12.net/o/casd/page/alumni-foundation

Or to MD Anderson Cancer Center online at https://gifts.mdanderson.org/Default.aspx?tsid=26369&intcmpid=mdaccorg_donate