Catherine Anne “Kate” Bessey

Catherine “Kate” Anne Bessey, age 85 of Rhinelander, died on Aug. 3, 2024 at Rennes Heath and Rehab. She was born on May 26, 1939, the daughter of Merritt and Virginia (Carlson) Scheidegger.

She was born in Rhinelander and raised on the Cuenin Homestead in the Town of Pelican. She attended school through 8th grade at Ferndale School. After 8th grade she attended Rhinelander High School and graduated in 1957.

On October 24, 1959, she married LeRoy Bessey and they shared many wonderful years together until his passing on February 9, 2018.

Roy and Kate purchased a neighborhood grocery store in 1967, and together they operated Bessey’s Grocery Store for 20 years. In 1983, they purchased the Gilley’s Bar building which had a restaurant next door and her and Roy operated Bessey’s Café on Main Street. In 1989, Kate became a franchise owner of H & R Block and did that until her retirement in 2004. After her retirement, Kate enjoyed helping Roy with the pumpkin patch and the pumpkin and vegetable stand.

Kate enjoyed being outside gardening, cooking and baking, and playing card games, specifically sheepshead and bridge, with her family. Most of all, Kate loved spending time with her family, especially with her grandchildren Joe and Megan and her great-grandson, Garrett.

Kate is survived by her children Glenn, Lynda (Mark) Bessey-Hahner and Kim (Brant Zeromski) Dorion, her grandchildren Joseph and Megan (Brent), her great-grandson Garrett, her sisters Jan Lambele and Ginger (Jim) Detlefsen, her brother-in-law Ken Gardner, her sisters-in-law Darlene Scheidegger and Joan Bessey, nieces, nephews, other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy, her parents, her son-in-law Raymond Dorion, her brothers Jack, Larry and Jeff, and her sister Sandy Gardner.

The family would like to extend many thanks to the Rennes staff who so lovingly cared for her. They would also like to thank the caregivers of Helping Hands Senior Home Care Services who assisted Kate at home before her move to Rennes.

A visitation for Catherine was to be held on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Carlson Funeral Home. The funeral service for Catherine will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rhinelander at 11 a.m. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Pastor John Kuziej will be officiating.

You may leave your private condolences for the Bessey family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the family.