Romain Kessenich

Waunakee/ Verona-Romain G. Kessenich, age 85, died on Monday, May 4, 2015, at Four Winds Manor in Verona. He was born Aug. 15, 1929, to Gerald and Pearl (Borchers) Kessenich. He married Arlene Theisen in 1951. She preceded him in death in 1984. In 1985, Romain married his new found love and favorite dance partner, Jeanette (Wittwer) Rieder. She preceded him in death in 2013. Romain farmed most of his life on a farm outside of Waunakee in Dane. Along with farming, Romain drove bus for the Waunakee School District for 25 years. He was a past treasurer for the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. and was on the Planning Commission for the Township of Vienna. He enjoyed his plants, collecting toy tractors, playing cards, the cottage, and dancing. Romain was a long time member of St. John's Catholic Church and had served on the Parish Council and more recently was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church in Verona.

Survivors include his children, Roger (Jean), Annette (Dale) Ziegler, Rick (Linda) and Randall (Nancy); two stepchildren, Bobbie (Tony) Wang and Ronald (Patti) Rieder; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three step- grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and sister, LouAnn (Roland) Karls. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Arlene and Jeanette; infant twin sons, Ronald and Donald; and a daughter-in-law, Carol (Nolden) Kessenich.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St John's Catholic Church, Waunakee. Msgr. James Gunn will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30a.m. until the time of services. Burial will take place in the church cemetery.

Romain was a man who enjoyed life to the fullest and expressed love to all who entered into his life. He was gifted at socializing and was always the first one to crack a joke or pull a prank on someone. Everyone loved Romain, from the kids who rode on his school bus to all of the nurses and helpers at Four Winds as he just had a "spark" that was contagious to those around him. In addition to that spark, he also had that stubborn German side that always kept him going and made him determined to do things his way.

A special thank you to all of the nurses and workers at Four Winds Manor who were not only care givers, but companions and friends to him over the past four years. Many of them have said they referred to Romain as their 2nd Grandpa.

God saw you were getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you and whispered "come to me". With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.


Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI