Much Loved Children's Librarian Dies of Cancer Hundreds of local children remember fondly the visits to their school by children's librarian Corie Gessler who would zoom into classrooms on roller skates or a scooter dressed as Mother Goose the reading wizard or a crazy clown. These annual spring visits animated elementary school classrooms in schools across Port Washington and Saukville as Gessler would promote the children's summer reading program so students' skills would not slip during the long summer break. Gessler 69 of Port Washington died after a four-year battle with cancer Thursday in her home surrounded by her loving children family and hospice nurses. She was known to thousands of local parents and children as the lively and entertaining children's librarian at the W.J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington. She worked there in various capacities from 1974 until her retirement in 2004. During her ten years as children's librarian she could not travel around the area without being recognized by the children and parents she served in her weekly story hour and the summer reading program. Corie Ann Gessler (nee Bort) was born August 6 1937 in Sheboygan daughter of Edwin K. and Dorothy L. Held Bort. She was a member of Jobs Daughters and served as Honored Queen. She graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1955 and was united in marriage with Ralph W. Gessler on October 17 1959 in Sheboygan. They moved to Port Washington in 1969. She was a member of the Junior Women's Club an assistant Girl Scout Leader a Den mother a Friend of the Library and most recently served on a committee addressing Port Washington's downtown revitalization efforts. Corie is survived by her children: Mark (Rhonda) Gessler of Cross Plains; Kristen (Eric) Schmeling of Grafton; Kathryn (Mark) Bednarek of Cedar Grove; and grandchildren Joseph and Jacob Bednarek; Patrick Teresa and Lukas Schmeling; and Samuel and Abigail Gessler. She is further survived by brothers-in law Gerald Gessler of Sacramento CA Donald (Lois) Gessler of Sheboygan sisters- in-law Roma Akright of Oregon WI Alberta Nisporic of Corona CA Virginia Kuntz of Indiana and Beatrice Kaeserman of Sheboygan one uncle Robert Held also of Sheboygan nieces nephews other relatives and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved husband Ralph. In addition to being an avid reader Corie was a doting grandmother who was known for her baking skills. She was generous beyond belief showering them with attention and home baked goods that showed her devotion and love for her family. Corie shared this generosity with the community too. As a member of the First Congregational Church she taught Sunday School served on many committees and was actively involved in preparing church suppers and funeral meals. Corie was a member of the local Celiac-Sprue support group and was interested in educating people about the wheat allergy and developing recipes to help people live with the ailment. A 6:30 p.m. funeral service will be held at the First Congregational Church 131 N. Webster St. Port Washington on Thursday May 17 with visitation from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Pastor Jeffrey Suddendorf will officiate. She will be inurned next to her husband in Sheboygan Falls Cemetery at a later date. Memorials are suggested by the family in lieu of flowers. br /Service:br /6:30 PM at 131 N. Webster Street on May 17 2007 (a target=_blank href=http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=Port Washingtonstate=WIaddress=zip=53074zoom=8map/driving directions/a) br/br/