Florence Pearl Pilcher Kesterson 1923 - 2009

PILCHER, KESTERSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/22/2020 at 20:46:42

Sioux City Journal
8 March 2009

SIOUX CITY -- Florence Pearl Pilcher Kesterson, formerly of Sioux City, went to her heavenly home on Feb. 27, 2009, at Sterling Commons in Apple Valley, Calif. By her side were her daughter, son-in-law and pastor.

Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Sunset Hills in Apple Valley. Her ashes will be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Online guestbook is available at www.sunsethills.cc.

Pearl was born in Sioux City on June 25, 1923 and graduated from Lawton (Iowa) High School.

On Aug. 4, 1941, she married Clifford Pilcher and followed him to several military bases for pilot training during World War II. Clifford was killed in a plane crash at Hanford, Calif., on May 25, 1943. Returning to Sioux City, she gave birth to her daughter, Sheryl, in September of that year and went on to business college. For 30 years of her career, she served as an executive secretary for Federal Meat Inspectors at the Sioux City Stockyards. One of her proud achievements was earning her court reporting certificate from the state of Iowa and being able to do depositions part-time.

After being a widow for 29 years, she retired from her government job and married Steve Kesterson of Des Moines on Nov. 29, 1972. She then began a new career as a housewife. In the 1970s, she and Steve moved to Poway, Calif. Upon his death in 1995, she moved to Apple Valley to be near her daughter and son-in-law.

She will be remembered as a mother, wife and grandmother who had a zest for life. Her Christian life and service included singing, leading the choir, teaching Sunday school and playing the xylophone. Most people also remember her love of clothes and especially her high heels. Her 85 years were filled with a lot of wonderful experiences. She leaves behind so many fond memories to her family and will be sorely missed by all who knew her and were influenced by her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Sheryl Hane and son-in-law, J. Dean Hane of Apple Valley, Calif.; stepchildren, Steven Kesterson of Corona, Calif., Denis Kesterson of Des Moines, and Janis Rich of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Special thanks are given to the staff at Sterling Commons and Community Hospice for making her final days as comfortable as possible.

In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of her may be given to Community Church at Jess Ranch, Women's Ministries, 11537, Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, CA. 92308.