Margaret "Peggy" A. Bessert, age 83, a resident of Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Froedert Hospital in Milwaukee.

Peggy was born on June 15, 1931 in Racine County to the late Joseph and Agnes Hein Jagemann. She attended Manitowoc schools and left to help with the family business, Jagemann Plating. Peggy entered the work force waitressing at local businesses, Freddie Brick and Branch River Country Club. She later worked at local banks and retired as Payroll Supervisor from Manitowoc County in 1997. She sewed table runners for all holidays, crocheted dish clothes and made fleece blankets for many, including children & grandchildren. She enjoyed participating in many craft shows along with her daughters.

Words in an obituary cannot describe this mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mentor and friend. Peggy deeply believed in God and the power of prayer. She loved to sit and talk business and current events and was always able to make an excuse not to go to exercise class! She was always available to offer a bowl of soup, a coffee cake, apple kugen, pan of bars or loaf of home-made bread - sometimes a bit of all along with a hug & kiss. Peggy was an avid Packer fan and loved to watch basketball and baseball along the 1st base line.

The one thing in life she despised were the effects on family & friends from the disease of alcoholism, but through her involvement with Al-Anon and her faith, she was able to help others understand this disease which carried through to her family.

Peggy married Kenneth R Bessert Sr. and is survived by their seven children: Mary (Douglas) Schultz; Susanna (Robert) Krcma; Kathleen (John) Dodge, Judith (Jerome) Backus; Cynthia Elfner; Debra (Randall) Mrozinsky, all of Manitowoc and Kenneth M (Doreen) Bessert, Jr., Valders; 22 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Seiler and Anna Mae Logan; her canine companion: Beanz; also nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Peggy was preceded in death by four brothers, three sisters and her grandson, Kenneth Bessert III.

A Life Celebration Social for relatives and friends will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, Manitowoc, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with burial of Margaret's cremated remains at Calvary Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Peggy's name.

Her life ended much too abruptly for all and she will be deeply missed. Thank you great lady!

Adios & goodbye