Stonewall Gessner, age 64, of Lake Upsilon, ND formerly of Minot, ND passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at his home.

Stonewall Edward "Stoney" Gessner was born on December 2, 1947 in Devils Lake, ND to Maxwell and Dorothy (Atkins) Gessner. He was reared and educated in Cando, ND, graduating from Cando High School in 1965. Stoney furthered his education at the University of North Dakota, earning a degree in Physical Therapy in 1971. He earned his Master's degree in Physical Therapy in 1993.

Stoney was united in marriage to Margaret "Peggy" Thomas on July 1, 1967 in Calio, ND. Together they raised three children, Nicole, Stephani, and Maxwell. Following his marriage, he and Peggy lived in Grand Forks until he completed his degree. He was employed by UND Rehab until 1972, when they moved to Wadena, MN where he was employed at Tri-County Memorial Hospital for eight years. In 1980, they moved to Dickinson, where he was self-employed in private practice for seven years.

In 1987, they moved to Minot and he was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital as Director of Physical Therapy. In 2001, he became Director of Rehabilitation at Manor Care Rehab and Nursing Facility and worked there until his retirement in Jan., 2012.

Stoney was a past officer of the Wadena and Dickinson Elks, and was also involved in the Eagles, Kiwanis, and Minot Curling Club. He was also Den Leader for Cub Scouts in Dickinson. He was a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and held various offices within the North Dakota Physical Therapy Association. Stoney was president of the Lake Upsilon Improvement Association and was involved in the Izaak Walton League. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, and especially spending time with his family at beautiful Lake Upsilon in the Turtle Mountains.

Stoney devoted 41 years of his life to being a physical therapist. In his profession he touched many lives with his caring, his compassion, and especially his sense of humor. He cared deeply for his loving wife and children. His attributes at work are reflected in his children, as he was so proud of them. He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, sister, and many, many family members and friends.

Stoney is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy Gessner of Lake Upsilon, ND; daughters, Nicole (Craig) Arnold of Rolla and Stephani (Tom) Bertsch of Lake Upsilon; son, Dr. Maxwell (Leslie) Gessner of Bemidji, MN; seven grandchildren, Connor Glasner, Skylar and Cooper Arnold, Abby and Ava Bertsch, and Sophie and Stoney Gessner; sister, Maxine Frank of Loveland, CO; and his nieces and nephews.

Stoney was preceded in death by: his parents; nephew, Ian Petersen; brothers-in-law, Charles Frank, William Thomas, Richard Thomas, and Kenneth Kranig; and sister-in-law, Theresa Andresen.

Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 1:00 PM at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Rolla, ND. A Rosary Service will be held Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 7:00 PM at St. Joachim Catholic Church, Rolla, ND. An informal gathering will take place at Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot, ND on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are preferred to the family for establishing an endowment fund to the UND Physical Therapy Program.