Minerva Mae “Mini” (Behrens) Kessinger, 96, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024 at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka. She was born in Burlington, Illinois, the second child of Harry and Dorothy (Wolfe) Behrens. She married her “home from the war boyfriend”, Linard Ray Kessinger on August 11,1946 in Watseka. He preceded her in death on December 24, 2019. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, three brothers, and one son-in-law.

 

Mini is survived by her daughter, Susan (Charles) Arbuckle of rural Dewey, Illinois; her son, Dennis (Dianne) Kessinger of Peyton, Colorado; three grandchildren, John (Holly) Arbuckle of Newcastle, Maine, Kristen (Tom Lalley) Arbuckle of Washington DC, and Dustin Kessinger of Parker, Colorado. She was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, Noah and Zea Arbuckle and Jane and Eamon Lalley. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Shirley Bratcher McCullough, Sharon (Jim) Rougk Brank, Cindy Kohlenberg Henry, and Wally (Colleen) Frohling, and many other nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Kessinger and Ruth Behrens.

 

Mini was active in many organizations when the children were home, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran Church and perhaps the oldest, longest member. She was a terrific 1950s house wife and worked at Uarco. Mini’s interests and passions were her family, traveling in RV caravan with her family, card games with her family, and planning family parties. She was also a skilled crocheter and quilter.

 

Visitation will be on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service all at Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Aaron Uphoff officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Watseka.

 

Memorials can be made to Calvary Lutheran Church or Calvary Lutheran Preschool.

 

Arrangements are by the Baier Funeral Home in Watseka.