A memorial service for Ida F. Kester, 93, of Sandstone was held Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002,11 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Kroschel with Rev. Michael Breech officiating. Music was provided by Katie Williams as organist. Song selections were "Children of the Heavenly Father," "How Great Thou Art," and "Silent Night." Inurnment was at Beauty Lake, Sandstone. Arrangements by Hansen-Mankie Funeral Home, Sandstone.

Ida Fredricka Kester was born April 30, 1909 to Andrew and Marta Bystrom in Rock Creek. She attended Rock Creek School through the eighth grade, then worked on the family farm and as a cook in the logging camps with her sister Christine. She married Bernard on June 13, 1931. They lived in the Pine City area until 1935 when they moved to Finlayson. In 1939, the purchased a farm on Beauty Lake, west of Sandstone, where she lived until April 2001 when she moved to Pine Medical Health Care Center. Ida was quite an accomplished pianist, entertaining many with her polkas and waltzes. She decorated wedding, anniversary and birthday cakes for many people in the neighborhood. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, providing heartwarming meals to her family and friends whom she loved. When she was young she loved to dance and was called the "Queen of the Flappers." In later years she enjoyed the flea markets, garage sales, fishing, crocheting, knitting and of course, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-greatagrandchild. Ida passed away Dec. 2, 2002 at the Pine Medical Center in Sandstone.

She is survived by her two sons, Dennis (Ann) Kester of Sandstone, Philip (Lucy) Kester of Sandstone; three daughters, Angie (Leoanrd) Gangelhoff of Sandstone, Marie (Ken) Cassman of Sandstone, and Laura (Steven) McCaughan of Bagley, 24 grandchildrlen; 34 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; one niece, three nephews, and other relatives, friends and Bitzy, her cat. Ida is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Barnard, one sister, five brothers, daughter Joyce, and granson Dougie.

Published in the Pine County Courier, page 8 Dec. 19, 2002.