Margery Kester Passed away

Margery Kathryn Kester, the daughter of Joseph and Lettie (Reese) Hunter was born on October 6, 1917 in Crystal, North Dakota. She died at the age of 98 years on Monday, August 1, 2016 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.

Margery was raised in the home of her parents and graduated from Crystal High School. After, she went to work at the San Haven State Hospital, north of Dunseith, North Dakota. There she met her husband to be Ormal “Red” Kester who also was employed there. Margery was united in marriage to Ormal on September 24, 1937 in Grafton, North Dakota. The couple made their home and raised their four children in Dunseith. She enjoyed traveling, visiting most of the United States and the Canadian provinces. She was active in the Methodist Church and ladies group “Willing Workers”, Order of Eastern Star and served as their secretary for many years, and the Senior Meal Program in Dunseith. Ormal died in 1987. Margery moved to the Haaland Estates in 2006 until her move to the Heart of America Care Center in 2015, both in Rugby.

Margery is survived by her children, Joanne (Elmer) Boucher of Rugby, Michael (Janice) Kester of Fargo, Cheryl (Randy) Gaugler of North Brunswick, New Jersey and Pennie (Gary) Grenier of Rolette; 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by, her husband; great granddaughter, Alexandria; brother and sister-in-law, Donald (Ruth) Hunter; sister and brother-in-law, Lucille (Ernest) Dailly; and her parents.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 5^th at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with burial at 4:00 p.m. at the Riverside Cemetery, Dunseith. Rev. Mike Pretzer, officiating.

Friends and family may greet the family for one hour prior to the time of services at the funeral home on Friday.

Immediately following the memorial service, there will be lunch and fellowship at Dakota Farms, Rugby.

Gary’s Comment
Red and Margery Kester were corner stones of the Dunseith Community. They were so well liked and known. Red delivered fuel to our farm for years. The last time I saw Red and Margery was September 1987 in Bremerton, Washington when they attended Ernest and Lucille Dailly’s 50^th wedding anniversary. Lucille Dailly and Margery Kester were sisters. I had a really nice visit with Red at that time too. Ernest and Lucille Dailly were our neighbors for 26 years in Bremerton. We knew them well. Nice friendly folks.
We extend our condolences to all of Margery’s family with her passing.

Class of 1966 reunion Picture ID corrections
From Larry Hackman (’66): Bismarck, ND

Gary

I suppose you are getting a lot of feed back on the naming of the people on the pictures.

It is Jim Tooke in the blue shirt, not Rodney Medrude. There are no pictures of Rodney.

That is also my wife Marion with the flowered blouse between my brother Henry and his wife Marcy.

I’m sorry, I should of named the people on the pictures.

Your friend,

Larry

Gary’s reply
Larry,
I should have been a bit more careful. I should have known that wasn’t Rodney Medrude because he was with the class of ’71, not your class. Had I read your message a bit closer I would have realized that was Jim Took and not Rodney. Sorry about that. I have corrected the labeling of the pictures pasted below.
Thanks, Gary

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Blog (490) posted on June 14, 2009

06/14/2009

Posted on June 14, 2009

Posted by Don Boardman (60): Bottineau, ND

Note: cropped picture posted by Gary Stokes

Margaret Metcalfe Leonard (65) elected director of the North Central Electric Cooperation:

Congratulations to Margaret Leonard on being elected as a director of the North Central Electric Cooperative. She got up at the annual meeting and presented her qualifications and desire to serve the community and the Cooperative. She was very positive and professional in her presentation and as a result was elected. I believe she will be a good representative for the community and the NCE. She has “retired” from her teaching job but how has a new job. She has much to learn but she is up to the task.

As I read all the letters sent into you I can see that Dunseith has sent a lot of talent into the world!

Don Boardman

Congratulations my close & dear friend Margaret. I am proud to say that you are from the class of 65. What an inspiration you continue to be. With your charisma, dedication and outgoing personality combined with being a very intelligent gal, you will succeed with what ever you pursue in life and I know will be a great director. The North Central Electric Cooperation is very fortunate to have you as their director. They will for sure shine with you. Gary

Folks, I thought I had lost this picture, but I found it. This is Bill Grimme with 3 of the finest

class of 65 teachers. As you can see this picture was taken prematurely, but those are

the best kind. They tend to show true personalities a lot better.

L to R: Margaret Metcalfe Leonard, Bill Grimme, Cecile Berube Reynolds

& Phyllis McKay. Bernadette Stokes sitting in the back ground.

Reply from Aggie Casavant (69): Fort Mill, SC

Gary,Thanks for the kind words you have given me about my short stories I have shared. I just write from my heart,how I remember the things that left a lasting impression….But with that said,you know who’s really a good writer is our brother Aime. I think I’ve got every letter he has written me since I left home.Most of them are really funny.I don’t know if their meant to be but boy he cracks me up. Today when he e-mails me I’ll run a copy off to take to work with me at night on the night shift,just to read them over and over again and laugh like crazy.But thanks for all you do Gary.

Like you I did not know the Wurgler’s had another daughter, I bet most people didn’t. Maybe Joan can post a picture of her…. Hope you have a Blest Day! Aggie

Dunseith Reunion:

Sponsored by Jerry Williams (54): jrwilliams99@wat.midco.net

120 15th St SE, Watertown, SD 57201 (605) 886-7050

DUNSEITH REUNION

WATERTOWN, SD AUG.7-8-9

Aug 7th

5:30–6:30 Social at the Past Times Coffee House & Deli.

6:00 Dinner at Past Times.

Aug. 8th

10 AM A visit to the Redlin Art Center

12 noon Lunch on your own.

2:00 PM Tour of the Mellette House.

(Last Governor of Dakota Territory & First Governor of South Dakota).

5:00 PM Evening meal at the Williams Home, 120 15th ST SE.

Sat. evening Free open air Sawyer Brown Concert @ the Redlin Center.

Bring your own lawn chair.

Aug 8th

12 Noon Brunch at The Past Times.

Registration fee will be $35 per person. If you wish, make payment in advance to Jerry Williams. Thank you. This will include the dinner on Friday, the Saturday evening meal and the Sunday Brunch.

Please let us know if you are planning to attend as soon as you can. Hope to see you all at the reunion

Reply from Rhonda Hiatt (75): Battle Ground, WA

Gary,

Thank you for posting the pictures of my Mom (Margo Hiatt) with Aunt Delores and the other ladies. I had never seen that one before.

I loved Aggie’s story about the Wurgler kids on the bus. I worked with Aggie at the Nursing Home in Dunseith and at Dale’s Cafe and it was always fun.

Rhonda Hiatt

Rhonda, We’ve added a lot of folks since we started with this daily letter. That is why I’m reposting some of the earlier pictures as indicated with my message below. I have posted another picture of your mother today too that you may not have seen either. Gary

Folks, I am going through previous messages, starting from the beginnig, capturing the photo’s that were posted. I’m do a few each day. As I do this I will be re-posting a few. The photo’s pasted below were previously posted March 4-10th, 2008. Gary

Picture L to R:

Joe & Joyce Evans, Don & Bernice Johnson, and Floyd & Luella Dion