June Kestner

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 30, 2010

June bravely battled pancreatic cancer for 19 months and went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 27, 2010. 
June LaVonne Kestner (Leeper) was born on June 3, 1925, to Guy and Dora Leeper.  She graduated from Austin High School in 1943. June married Richard Kestner on Nov. 16, 1946. They resided in Austin until 1975 when they moved to Waterville, Minn. Dick died on June 12, 1980. June moved to Elkton, Minn. in 1981 to be closer to family. June worked in the shipyards in California during WWII. She was a nursing assistant at St. Olaf Hospital for a time and later at Grand Meadow Nursing home.  June was a member of Grace Lutheran Church while living in Austin, Trinity Lutheran in Waterville and St. John’s Lutheran, Elkton. She was active in the women’s bible studies. June also enjoyed being on the Friends and Fellowship committee and attending their monthly events. Playing 500 with the Women’s Elkton card club was a regular activity for years. June was a long time VFW Auxiliary and the DAV Auxiliary member. In the past few years she was a member of the area Red Hatters. Family was always an important part of her life. She enjoyed gatherings with her sisters, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family. Camping and fishing were always a part of her life with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Eileen Karsten; grandson, Tommy Nace; and great-great-grandson, Khale Chap.
She is survived by three sons and three daughters, John (Sharon) Nelson of Minneapolis, David (Sue) Kestner of St. Cloud, Johann (Tamika) Kestner of Dexter, Linda (Gene) Krull of Elkton, Wendy Hilmer of Austin, Texas, Carol (Tom) Nace of South St. Paul;  20 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; three sisters, Joy Stancl, Dolores Rasmussen, Gloria Anderson; nieces and nephews. 
A memorial service celebrating the life of June Kestner will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 2, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkton, with Pastor Liz Erickson officiating. There will be a visitation for friends and family at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Thursday, July 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. and at the church for one hour before the memorial service on Friday.  
In Lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
 Arrangements are by Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.