Ruth Elaine Kester

Ruth Elaine Kester, age 80, of Cedarville, Michigan, died on October 11, 2019 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born on January 8, 1939 in Hessel, Michigan, to Wardell Heiser Eseltine and Ella Mable (Lindberg) Cope. Ruth grew up on the family farm in Hessel, where she learned the value of hard work and family. She attended Hessel School and graduated from Cedarville High School with the class of 1957. She attended college in Bay City, Michigan and began working for a doctors’ office. She met Keith Kester and she moved back to Hessel and they married on June 4, 1960 at the First Union Church in Cedarville. They made their home in Cedarville and she began working at the Cedarville Limestone Quarry. She continued to work there until they started their family raising three children. She was a loving wife, mother, and homemaker. She was very generous with hugs and smiles, while always putting others before herself. Ruth was a member of the First Union Church in Cedarville, where she taught Sunday school for decades. She was also a past matron of the Eastern Star and volunteered at the Cedar Post Thrift Shop for several years. Ruth enjoyed garage sales, gardening, picking berries, and making her family’s famous peanut brittle. She liked hunting agates along the shores of Lake Superior with her family. Ruth also delighted in spending time with her faithful dog Jester. Ruth is survived by her husband, Keith Kester of Cedarville; daughters, Amy (Bill) Kohlmann and Stacey Kester both of Cedarville; son, Marc (Georgie) Kester of Cedarville; grandchildren, Maddie, Trevor, Caleb, and Hayley Kohlmann, and Jack and Charlie Kester; and brother, Donald (Bonnie) Eseltine of Antioch, California. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; brother John Eseltine; sister, Edna Jean Eseltine; and sister-in-law, Sue Kester. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Cedar Cemetery in Cedarville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ball Hospice House of the EUP, 308 W. 12th St., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, P.O. Box 249, Cedarville, MI 49719. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Ruth Elaine Kester

January 8, 1939 - October 11, 2019