Kay Francis (Erwin) LESTER

LESTER, PACKARD, ERWIN, LANG, EECHOFF

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/10/2014 at 13:09:39

September 27, 1937 --- August 12, 2014

Kay Francis Lester, age 76 of New Hampton, passed away peacefully at the New Hampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Aug. 12, 2014. She was surrounded by her loving family as she departed into the Lord's Welcoming Arms. A memorial service will be held 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Inurnment will be followed at the New Hampton City Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton.

Kay was born September 27, 1937 in Renwick, the daughter of Clarence and Adah (Packard) Erwin. She graduated from Renwick High School in 1955. While attending school, Kay was a Majorette for the high school marching band, a cheerleader and played 6 on 6 basketball. On October 15, 1955 at the Methodist Church in Renwick, Kay was united in marriage to Don Lester of Goldfield. To this union five children were born, Curtis, Rick, David, Julie and Scott. In 1958, Kay and Don moved to a farm northeast of New Hampton. The couple later sold the farm in 1974 and moved to town. Kay and Don were married 53 years when he suddenly passed away on December 21, 2008.

After they moved to town, Kay became a school bus driver for the New Hampton Community School District – a position that she held for 27 years. Many friendships were made with the students and their parents from her bus route. Kay was a member of the First United Methodist Church of New Hampton, where church members remember the fun and fellowship when Kay was around. She volunteered for many things in her church, especially setting up the dining area for various church diners, just don't ask her to roll silverware.

Family was the most important and cherished part of Kay's life. She was very proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay's sister, Judy, was a best friend and the two of them could and would laugh for hours. Kay was a people person, who had a lot of friends. A contagious laugh and a great sense of humor were two of Kay's enduring traits. If Kay had to choose between being indoors or outdoors, Kay would pick the outdoors, unless it was cold outside. Around their home, Kay had beautiful flowers and plants. She also knew the names of each one. She loved birds, especially goldfinches, hummingbirds and cardinals, and often fed them in her backyard. She had a special talent for identifying birds by their song and could often imitate their sound. She loved the parrot in the nursing home. When she was indoors, Kay was a great cook. Luckily her recipes have been passed down to her family. Kay's favorite food was ice cream. She had a talent for fine crocheted artwork and even crocheted the Christmas tree ornaments and stockings for her family. A person always knew what holiday was around the corner by the decorations in Kay's house.

Kay and Don were excellent partners for dancing, roller-skating and square dancing. When Kay's much beloved husband was alive, they loved to golf in couple's tournaments. If it was a weekend you knew they were playing golf together. Kay also played in 2,3, or 4 gal best-shot tournaments with her friends. (Often 2 – 4 times a week – all over Northern Iowa) The golf gods blessed her with two hole-in-ones! Playing cards was another favorite pastime of Kay. She enjoyed playing 500, rummy and poker games with her friends. Kay traveled many roads. These roads were traveled by car, school bus and golf cart. Now Kay has traveled her last journey, home to the arms of the Lord and to her family and friends who have preceded her to heaven.

Kay was survived by her three children; Rick (Chris) Lester of Quincy, Ill., Julie (Steve) Lang of New Hampton, Scott (Peggy) Lester of New Hampton; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; one sister, Judy Eechoff of Sibley. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Clarence and Adah Erwin; her husband Don Lester in 2008; her two sons, Curtis Lester in 1991, David Lester at 6 months old.

New Hampton Tribune - Iowa
August 12, 2014