Home > United States of America > Colorado > Weld County > New Raymer > New Raymer Cemetery > Karen Jean Box Kester

Karen Jean Box Kester

Birth	:	14 Aug 1941 Sterling, Logan County, Colorado, USA
Death	:	4 May 2015
Burial	:	New Raymer Cemetery, New Raymer, Weld County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6297000, -103.8316000
Description	:	Karen Jean Kester, 73, of New Raymer crossed beyond the Great Divide on Monday, May 4, 2015, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born August 14, 1941, in Sterling, Colorado, to Archie and Famie Box of New Raymer. She grew up on the Box Family Ranch and graduated from New Raymer High School in the Class of 1959. She attended Northeastern Junior College earning a Business Degree in 1961. After graduating from NJC, she worked at Sterling Savings & Loan for nine years as a Bookkeeper and Accountant. On August 25, 1970, she married Albert Kester in... Read More	Karen Jean Kester, 73, of New Raymer crossed beyond the Great Divide on Monday, May 4, 2015, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born August 14, 1941, in Sterling, Colorado, to Archie and Famie Box of New Raymer. She grew up on the Box Family Ranch and graduated from New Raymer High School in the Class of 1959. She attended Northeastern Junior College earning a Business Degree in 1961. After graduating from NJC, she worked at Sterling Savings & Loan for nine years as a Bookkeeper and Accountant. On August 25, 1970, she married Albert Kester in Sterling, and they started their life together at the Kester Ranch at West Plains. In 1975 they moved to New Raymer. Soon after, they began their entrepreneurial endeavors. They started Kester Pump Service in 1976, which their son Jube continues to run. In the beginning, Karen worked alongside Albert to get the job done in the water well business. They also opened Pawnee Station Restaurant & Wild Horse Jerry’s Liquor Store in 1986, to add another adventure to their resumes. Karen spent most of her time managing this business and keeping it supporting the community. For many years, the restaurant barely made $100, a day, but she was determined to feed a dozen or so locals who “had nowhere else to eat!” After 22 years, the restaurant was sold in 2008, which allowed Karen to spend more time with her family and friends. Karen has always been a longtime advocate for young people and their ideas, education, and growth. She was both a sponsor and announcer at the Northeast Weld County Fair for many, many years, as well as a longtime announcer and sponsor of the Logan County Fair. She was always willing to help out and give encouragement to young participants. Her strong, confident voice telling a young rider to “ride’em like you stole him” or “whip and ride” will long echo in the hearts of the countless riders who competed in that arena. The “Cowboy’s Prayer” will never again be the same as there is no one who could deliver that prayer the way Karen Kester could. The voice of the New Raymer Fair will be forever missed. Karen’s continued support of youth was evident as she served on the Prairie School Board for six years. She attended nearly every ballgame and school function and was a loyal contributor for any needy cause. She yearned for the next generation to inherit her love and admiration for agriculture, this land, and this community. Her love of the community showed in the many committees she served on, including Northeast Weld County Fair and Rodeo, New Raymer Centennial Celebration and the 125th Celebration, 50th Anniversary of the Northeast Weld County Fair and Rodeo, New Raymer Cemetery Committee, Renegade’s Run, Feeders & Friends Benefit, and the New Raymer Crisis Fund (of which she was a founder). She served on the Raymer Town Council for many terms and on the New Raymer/Stoneham Fire Pension Board. She was also an avid supporter of the Northeast Weld Drylanders. Karen was also known for being the community historian. Her love of the community and its rich history was long remembered and retold many times by Karen as she recalled names, places, and stories that were passed on to younger generations. Karen is survived by her husband Albert; children Jube (Kathy) and Susie all of New Raymer; sister Doris Vangraefschepe of Fort Morgan; brother Allen Box of Sterling; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 11 nieces and nephews; 22 great nieces and nephews; and 34 great-great nieces and nephews and numerous friends, neighbors, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Famie Box and her sisters Louise Littlefield and Pauline Steffen. Celebration of Life services will be on Friday, May 15, at 2:00 p.m., at Prairie School with Pastor Jay Littlefield officiating. Inurnment will be at the New Raymer Cemetery. A reception will follow at the New Raymer Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend this celebration of Karen’s life in their finest western attire—boots, jeans, cowboy hats, turquoise and silver. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Karen Kester Memorial Fund to benefit the youth of today—P.O. Box 63, New Raymer, CO 80742.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Karen Jean Box Kester's memorial?
Karen Jean Box Kester's memorial is located at: New Raymer Cemetery, New Raymer, Weld County, USA.
When did Karen Jean Box Kester death?
Karen Jean Box Kester death on 4 May 2015 in
Where are the coordinates of the Karen Jean Box Kester's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6297000
Longitude: -103.8316000

Family Members:

Parent

Archie Edward Box

(1900 - 1974)

Famie Fiscus Box

(1903 - 1988)

Spouse

Albert Spencer Kester

(1936 - 2017)

Siblings

Doris R. Vangraefschepe

(1922 - 2017)

Pauline Gertrude Box Steffen

(1924 - 2002)

Wilma Louise Box Littlefield

(1926 - 1957)

Wayne Allen Box

(1934 - 2017)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. New Raymer Cemetery
New Raymer, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6297000, -103.8316000

2. Tincup Family Cemetery
New Raymer, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5685750, -103.8176470

3. Buckingham Haven Cemetery
Buckingham, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6196170, -103.9742760

4. Prairie View Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6096992, -103.6707993

5. Keota Cemetery
Keota, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7142530, -104.0688190

6. Horst Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5527992, -104.0824966

7. Liberty Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8328018, -103.6967010

8. Pilgrim Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5667000, -104.1449966

9. Prairie Lawn Cemetery
Willard, Logan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5517006, -103.4950027

10. Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery
Grover, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8849000, -104.0199000

11. Sligo Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7980220, -104.1489740

12. Weldona Cemetery
Weldona, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3212890, -103.9567570

13. Cunningham Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7270000, -104.2400000

14. Sunnyside Cemetery
Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9603004, -103.9341965

15. Memory Gardens
Fort Morgan, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2603000, -103.8109000

16. United Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden
Fort Morgan, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2611000, -103.7854000

17. Riverside Cemetery
Fort Morgan, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2597008, -103.8088989

18. Merino Cemetery
Logan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4639015, -103.3930969

19. Briggsdale Cemetery
Briggsdale, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6472015, -104.3336029

20. Home of Peace Cemetery
Grover, Weld County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8866997, -104.2189026

21. Brush Memorial Cemetery
Brush, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2617780, -103.6329600

22. Eben Ezer Cemetery
Brush, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2546310, -103.6419373

23. Wiggins Cemetery
Wiggins, Morgan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.2339360, -104.0382100

24. Riverside Cemetery
Sterling, Logan County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5928001, -103.2296982