Patricia Ann Gilbert Kessler, 78, of Hallettsville, entered into her eternal rest and became free from pain surrounded by her family on June 26, 2024, in Victoria TX, at the Dornburg Center of Compassion.  She was known to those around her as Pat and was born on March 16, 1946, in Galveston TX, to the late Edward James and Mary Theresa Murphy Gilbert Sr.

Pat grew up with her brother, the late Edward James Gilbert Jr "Bud", playing with the neighbors, roller skating, and walking on stilts, and living in a time when kids left at sunrise and came home at sunset.

Pat attended Sacred Heart School in Galveston for Elementary then followed with Ursuline Catholic Academy graduating in 1964.  She has always been a beautiful lady, so it is only fitting that she was crowned 1962 Junior Catholic Daughters Buccaneer Day Queen.  Now she did have a bit of a mischievous side as well, having been known to tie a girl's shoelaces together and throw them over a tree branch to make her late for class.

Pat met the love of her life, Robert Kessler in 1962 at a party with mutual friends.  She loved to tell the story of how she saw him out the window and told her friend that she would marry that man, not even having met him yet.  Robert courted Pat through high school and through her early 20's spending most every weekend at "The Camp" in Galveston with their lifelong friends Roy and Bea Anthony, where they have countless memories that have stretched over a 60 year-long friendship.  Pat stayed by Robert's side through his deployment to Vietnam and while overseas, Robert bought her a wedding ring set and mailed it to her asking her to marry him.  Shortly after his tour in Vietnam ended, they were married on February 25, 1967.  They celebrated 49 years and 5 months together before her love entered his eternal rest.

During Robert's deployment Pat worked at W.O. Moody Bank as a bookkeeper.  As they built their marriage foundation and started their family together Pat and Robert bought a liquor store which Pat ran, while Robert had his A/C and refrigeration business. They lived in La Marque and Pat and the two oldest daughters commuted to the liquor store in Galveston.  It was located by UTMB and was very successful with the resident doctors of UTMB being their best customers.  Wanting to move to the country they ended up on Robert's grandfathers land in Sublime, TX, in 1979.

Pat raised her oldest daughters as a stay-at-home mom until taking on the task of running the general store in Sublime.  She had her Hollywood debut as an extra in the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" where she was getting her hair done in the beauty shop on the square, and she even was able to sneak a kiss with Burt Reynolds.

Pat went on to work at Better Beverages until finding out that she was pregnant with the youngest surprise daughter in 1984.  She also worked at Stevens Nursing Home and was one of the first employees of Wal-Mart 1067 in Hallettsville.  She worked at Wal-Mart for 20 years before her retirement.

Pat enjoyed her retired years spending lots of time with Robert in the hayfield, raking and baling hay, planting a garden, working in her flower beds, mowing the grass and raising chickens - with most of them having a hand -picked name.  In the early 1990's, She and Robert were active in the Lavaca County Crime Stoppers attending conferences all over the state of Texas.

Pat was an avid member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, serving as President for many times over the years.  She even went on to be the VFW Auxiliary District 24 President and was State Department Program Co-Chairman.  She was an instrumental part in the organizing of the yearly Veteran's Appreciate Day event that was started in Hallettsville, alongside her late friend LaNora Konvicka.  She was also on the Veteran's Appreciate Day Committee where she served as Treasurer for many years.  Her love for the veterans could be seen through her many years of devotion to the organizations and her spirit was broken when she had to step down as president of the VFW Auxiliary 6382 due to her health.  As her health began to decline, she would even attend her monthly meetings after having had a chemo treatment at MD Anderson in Houston and being completely exhausted.  In addition to many years of service to Veterans, she was a deep-rooted Republican.  She was a member of the Republican Women of the Yoakum Area, Lavaca County Republicans as well as the Great State Republicans.  She served as a poll worker for early voting and would sometimes serve as an election judge or as an alternate judge during the election season.  Her health robbed her of this passion as well, in that sitting that long was too hard on her body.  She was also Robert's RCIA sponsor when he joined the Catholic Church in 2016.  After his passing she continued to volunteer with RCIA classes, was a CCD teacher, and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  In everything that she did, she was devoted and left a beautiful legacy for many to follow.

Pat is survived by:  her 3 daughters, Donna Cruise (Chris), Christine Machart (Kevin), and Bobbie Sue Jalufka (Mark); 6 grandchildren, Kayla Marie Lively (Gary), Brooke Machart (Zachary), Toni Machart (CJ), Brynn DeBord, Kaid DeBord, and Easton Jalufka.  Though she had numerous great grandchildren that live in Florida, she was especially excited about the birth of her newest great grandbaby closest to her, Blair Marie Mertz.  Pat was determined to see her birth in January and was able to join her for 5 months.  She went by many names, but she was most honored to be called, Mom, Nana, Grandma, G Money and most recent Granny Fancy.  She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Walter Wayne Kessler, and nephews, Michael Sipula, and Steven Gilbert as well as to many special friends to mention.

Pat is preceded in death by; her husband Robert Albert Kessler III, brother Edward "Bud" Gilbert Jr. sisters-in-law, Marianna Gilbert and Bobbie Jean Sipula Hoffman, niece Lesa Gilbert, nephew Joseph Sipula and great-grandson Damiean Terrio.

Special thanks to; MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Alhalabi, Marcia Holloway NP, nurses Charmaine and Myra, and Dr. O for helping her fight for 27 long months.  Dr. Marshall Bishop and staff at Wagner Medical Clinic. Crystal with Advanced Home Health, Debra Matura, Chaplain Steve, Dr. Ty Meyer and her CNA Laura as well as the staff at the Dornburg Center for Compassion with Hospice of South Texas.  Also special thanks to her prayer warriors that have prayed for her during this long cancer journey.

Funeral Mass Service: 10 am, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: starting at 5 pm Monday, with Rosary starting at 7 pm at Kubena Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Mark Jalufka, Kevin Machart, Zachary Mertz, Chris Pugliese, CJ Miller and Marvin Lockhart. Honorary Pallbearers: Brooke Machart, Blair Mertz, Toni Machart "TJ", Easton Jalufka, Brynn & Kaid DeBord, Kayla Marie and Family, Mike Sipula, Merriam Kubena, Theresa Damico, Roy and Bea Anthony, members of the Lavaca Memorial VFW Post 6382 and District 24 VFW Aux. Officiant: Msgr. John Peters. Memorials: VFW Auxiliary 6382, Dornburg Center of Compassion or Donor's choice. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with meal to follow at Sacred Heart Parish Family Center.