Cliff Kessler, 72, passed away peacefully with the sun on his face, surrounded by loved ones. He was raised in the Milwaukee/Brookfield area by his mother Rita Brem and Steve Kessler. He moved to Madison where he attended Madison College and earned a Business degree, and started his family with his daughters Jaime and Jennifer. He later moved to Sun Prairie with his wife Laurie, where their daughter Megan was born. He finally settled at his dream home in the township of Pacific in 2016. He was a loyal friend and neighbor, always offering a helping hand and a smile.

In 2023, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Having battled and defeated throat cancer 15 years earlier, he faced the illness with unwavering determination, enduring treatments, and hospital stays, but ultimately succumbed to this terrible disease. 

Cliff took great pride in his family and in his home; his love and support were unwavering and his doors were always open; he influenced the lives of all he touched. Laurie, his wife of 31 years, became who she was through his love; he was her one truth. Laurie provided unwavering support throughout his illnesses. His daughters, each in their own way, provided words of encouragement, support on the hard days, rides to appointments, tons of pictures, phone calls and much needed distractions throughout this journey for their dad, Cliff. Above all he enjoyed being a father and a grandfather: attending coffee dates and car events with Megan; visiting Jennifer and grandson Jack in Hawaii; and keeping up with Jaime’s world travels.

Cliff’s passions included the outdoors, camping, and his sports cars. He owned Corvettes in his younger years, beloved Harley Davidson motorcycles later, and finally his stylish Porsche Boxster S convertible. He reveled in the customization and communities involved in his pursuits. His home was a source of pride and he took great care of it. He cherished his time spent there in the company of the family dogs, Melody and Abbey. They provided constant companionship and love throughout his illnesses. 

Professionally, Cliff dedicated many years to the Dane County Highway, Airport, and Parks divisions, where he was known for his strong work ethic and sense of humor. He particularly liked his time with the Parks department, where he enjoyed operating heavy equipment for a barge crew and being a coordinator and constructor for memorial park benches. In true Cliff fashion, no one was safe when it came to his teasing. Making people laugh was one of his gifts. The stories of what he did would make you laugh until your stomach hurt. 

Cliff is survived by his wife Laurie Kessler, his daughters Jaime (Peter) Kessler-Gengler, Jennifer (Phil) Kessler, Megan Kessler, and his grandson Jack. Additionally, he was loved and supported by his family of in-laws and his Aunt Hiedi (Jim) Brem-Kargman.

Memorial Services will be held Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6:00 P.M at Grasse Funeral Home in Pardeeville with Father Randy Timmerman officiating. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M until the time of service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to make a Memorial Park bench in Cliff's honor to be put in one of the Dane County's parks.

Laurie wanted to share their motto for their marriage:

We were friends forever, 

We were partners in everything, 

And lovers for life. 

Forever in my heart, never to be forgotten… 

We are glad you are at peace and riding free.