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Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission honors longtime public servants Wayne and Pat Kessel
Summary
At its meeting the Plan Commission paused to pay tribute to Wayne and Pat Kessel, longtime Pleasant Prairie public servants. Staff and commissioners recounted Kessel’s decades of local and county service and community honors, including the naming of Kessel Court.
The Village of Pleasant Prairie Plan Commission opened its meeting by bringing forward a tribute for Wayne and Pat Kessel, who died last week and were laid to rest earlier the same day.
The chair said the commission had moved item 6e forward so members could speak about the Kessels. Rob, a village staff member, delivered prepared remarks that described Wayne E. Kessel’s long record of public service, noting his appointment to the plan commission in 1969 and service as plan commission chair from May 1987 to April 1999. Rob said Wayne had served on the plan commission for 54 years and on the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors for 30 years, from 1970 to 2000.
Rob also recounted Kessel’s private-sector career and community honors: a decades-long career with Webco beginning in 1948 and leadership roles on regional boards, and participation in the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Utility Tax Association. Rob noted the village board named a roadway in the LogistiCenter Pleasant Prairie development "Kessel Court" in January 2023 to honor his service.
Several commissioners offered personal memories. A commissioner said Pat Kessel “was as sweet and as nice a lady as you'll ever meet” and recalled the patience she showed in the treasurer’s office before the role became appointed. Other commissioners spoke of meeting the Kessels at church, described Wayne as a prepared and gracious public servant who helped the village through its incorporation, and called both spouses devoted community leaders.
The chair said Wayne’s seat would remain empty for the rest of the evening and noted that Neil will assume the seat going forward. The commission then resumed its regular business.
The tribute combined prepared remarks from staff and brief personal recollections from multiple commissioners; it closed without formal action. The meeting continued with routine agenda items.
