KESTEN, Arthur C. 1906-1977

KESTEN, ROBBINS, BEMUS, BOYER, FUOSS, FULLER, HALE

Posted By: Diane Scott (email)
Date: 6/30/2010 at 16:22:05

MCINTIRE'S ARTHUR C. KESTEN DIES AT 71

Arthur C. Kesten, 71, retired bulk plant operator and school bus driver, died Friday June 3, 1977 in the St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Mr. Kesten was the fourth child of Fred W and Nellie Robbins Kesten. He was born on April 29, 1906 in McIntire, Iowa.

He attended school in McIntire and Riceville, graduating from Riceville High School in 1926. He was employed by Howard County as Highway maintenance man at the time when horses were the main souce of power.

He started farming in the spring of 1932 and farmed for eight years, after which he moved to McIntire where he drove school bus and soon became a bulk plant operator for Kinnamon Oil Co., of Elma, Iowa who owned a gas station in McIntire.

In 1958 he became associated with the Sinclair Oil Co. of Osage, Iowa where he was employed until his retirement June 1, 1976.

Art operated school bus for 29 years, he was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, a member of the McIntire Town Council for many years, and a faithful member of the United Methodist Church which he joined in 1947.

Art was united in marriage to Marie Bemus in Osage, Iowa, on December 23, 1931 and to this union two children were born.

Mr. Kesten is survived by his wife Marie of McIntire, a daughter Marvene (Mrs. Donald Boyer) of Thompson, Iowa; a son Robert of Lime Springs, Iowa; six grandchildren, two brothers; Vincent of Riceville, Iowa; Gervis of Downey, California; three sisters; Inez (Mrs. Dan Fuoss) of Red Cloud, Nebraska; Mrs. Wava Fuller of Cyprus, California; Lillian (Mrs. Stuart Hale) of LeRoy, Minnesota and several nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Leonard of California, a sister Helen of Riceville, Iowa and a grandson Chad, son of Robert Kesten of Lime Springs, Iowa.

Arthur Kesten was a very well known member of the community and was a man liked and highly respected by all who knew him. He shall be greatly missed by his family, relatives and his many, many friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday June 6, 1977 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in McIntire with Rev. Marvin Armpriester officiating. Mrs. Dan Shaw was the pianist with Mrs. Duane Lockie the soloist.

Interment was in the Riverside Cemetery at Riceville, Iowa. Casket bearers were; Roy Betts, Earl Brueswitz, William Dunn, Orville Schofield, Vern Tetzner and Robert Timmerman. Arrangements were with the Hutchins Funeral Home in LeRoy Minnesota.

[Lime Springs Herald, June 9, 1977]