Theresa (Kessler) Bayer, age 83, of Mitchell, SD, died Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Howard Good Samaritan Center, Howard, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Friday, December 10, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with burial at the American Legion Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Thursday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel.

Theresa Schladweiler, daughter of John and Anna (Gottsacker) Schladweiler, was born February 11, 1927 in Farmer, SD. She attended school in Farmer until the 8th grade. Theresa was united in marriage with Leo Kessler on October 15, 1946 in Farmer, SD. She moved to Mitchell in 1956 and in 1978 was employed for the school lunch program. In 1979, Theresa began cooking at the Holiday Inn for 12 years.

She was then united in marriage with Barney Bayer on June 27, 1992 in Mitchell, SD.

She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and a former member of the Altar Society.

Theresa is survived by her children Frank Kessler (Ok'Pun) from Colorado, John Kessler (Kerry) from Tenessee, Ray Kessler (Carol) from Wyoming, Dee Osberg (Karl) from South Dakota, Richard Kessler (Danette) from Georgia, Helen Gales (Robert) from Kansas, Charles Kessler from South Dakota, Kurt Kessler from New York, Clifford Kessler (Lisa) from New York, Earl Kessler from Oklahoma, Julie Shumaker (Randy) from South Dakota, Susan Mather (Darin), and Michael Kessler (Melissa), several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leo Kessler in 1977; her second husband, Barney Bayer on January 22, 2003; her parents; three sisters (Rose, Veronica, and Margaret); two brothers (Steve and Ed).