Dorothy Eleanor Kester

On Saturday, May 24, 2014 our family lost an angel Dorothy (Barr) Kester, 92 of St. Charles, surrounded by her family at Chosen Valley Care Center. Dorothy Eleanor Barr was born on February 9, 1922 to Eugene and Eleanor (Ham) Barr in Winona. She graduated from St. Charles High School in 1940 as Salutatorian of her class and was known to her classmates as "candybar." Dorothy went to Normal School to be a teacher under Hatie Boyd. She taught at the Ridgeway Country School for three years and on June 24, 1942 she married Clifford Kester at the Episcopal Church in St. Charles. She and Clifford farmed for 15 years until they moved to town in 1957. Dorothy worked at First National Bank and retired after 27 years. After their retirement, Dorothy & Cliff traveled 47 of the 50 states with their camper. Dorothy also kept busy with baking, gardening, fishing, bowling, camping and square dancing with the Whitewater Whirlers or any kind of dancing, charter member of the Women of the Moose - serving as Senior Regent and going to Texas for the winter. Dorothy and Cliff were looking forward to their 72nd wedding anniversary in June. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Clifford; three daughters, Joyce Wurl of Plainview, Judy (Bernie, Sr.) Schott of St. Charles and Donna Schultz of St. Charles; eight grandchildren, Gary (Jennifer) Wurl of Houston Texas, Diana (Raymond) Moss of Plainfield, IL, Bradley Wurl of Plainview, Kim (Tom) Steiger of St. Charles, Bernie Schott, Jr. of La Crescent, Ben (Angie) Schott of Winona, Jeremy (Angie) Schultz of Lake City and Jeff Schultz of Chatfield; ten great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Deloris Barr, nieces , nephews and her dog Rocky. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Rex Barr; sister, Florence Cichanowski and son-in-law, Jesse Wurl. Funeral Service will be 11 a.m., Monday, June 2, 2014 at Faith Lutheran Church in St. Charles with the Reverend Steve McGinley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m., Sunday at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service - St. Charles (Hwy 14 West) and one hour prior to the service at church. Please share a memory of Dorothy, sign her online guestbook and view her video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/496123