Davie B. 'Kessie Koesler

David "Kessie" Koesler, 84, passed away from natural causes at his home on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013.

David was the youngest child born to Franz Joseph and Ida Elizabeth Koesler on Aug. 29, 1929, in Missoula. He attended schools and church in the parish of Saint Francis Xavier.

David joined the United States Air Force on Jan. 3, 1951. He served as an aircraft mechanic until his honorary discharge on Nov. 13, 1953. He shared many stories about that overseas adventure with Uncle Sam.

Upon returning, he worked as an auto mechanic at Starr Garage then hired on at Missoula White Pine & Sash in April 1956, opting for the night-shift in the saw mill as it paid a few cents more per hour. He worked in the filing room for several years before being promoted to night foreman. He retired in January 1990, saying "Now every day is Christmas and every night is New Years." For the next 25 years, he did what he liked to do best, explore the back roads around Missoula looking for apple trees, huckleberries and other treasures, and of course, tire kicking on Sundays.

He married Charlotte Day and they were blessed with four children. They divorced after 15 years but remained friends. He loved the outdoors and took the family camping, fishing, hunting or just on a picnic every chance he could.

David is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Gjefle; ex-wife Charlotte and their children, Debbie (Lyle) Swartz, Cindy KoeslerHayes, Joseph and Annette Skaja (Steve Jarvis); his grandsons, Clayton and Kyle Skaja, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings and his grandson Jonsie Koesler.

Cremation services have been performed by Sunset Memorial Gardens. At his request, a family graveside service will be held at the Western Montana State Veteran's Cemetery at a later date.

What the Koesler family would like to do in this final memorial to our father, is to share with you one of David's finest gifts. His four children all agree on one thing about their father: We never had to question whether or not we were loved. He not only showed us his love throughout his lifetime, he told us, and told us often, how much he loved us. We never had to waste our time wondering if we were loved, we just knew. That gave us children a solid foundation to stand on, and a strong sense of self to begin our lives with.

If you knew David, and would like to do something in honor of his memory, or even if you didn't but wished you had known him as we have, we can think of no better way for you to pay respects than do as he did. Today, in honor of his memory, tell your children you love them. Let this be a question they never have to ask themselves, ever. We think this would please our father immensely. What greater gift than one of love?

The Koesler Kids

Read Davie Koesler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.