Deb Kester & Bob Kester

Debra Ann Kester – Rochester, MN

Debra Ann Kester of Rochester, MN, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at age 71.

Deb was born in Montevideo, MN on April 8, 1954 to Harris “Spud” Broin and Donna (Rudd) Broin.  She was the firstborn daughter of the family and just like her father, she carried on the redhead tradition in the Broin family.

She grew up in Austin, MN with her sisters, Susan and Kristin.  Deb had fond memories of attending Shaw Elementary and Austin High School.  She was of the generation that remembers moms being there when you came home from school, bike riding around town with friends, listening to rock-n-roll on 45 RPM singles, ice skating on a frozen pond at Skinner Hill, and playing outside with neighborhood friends until the street lights came on and parents called you home.  These memories of Austin are what she remembered most fondly throughout her life.

Deb graduated from Austin High School in 1972 and moved with her family to Rochester where she met the love of her life, Bob Kester.  They were married on August 3, 1975 and had two wonderful sons, Shaun and Joe.  Watching them grow up gave Deb the most joy in life.  Boy Scouts, hockey games, school activities – she was there for all of it.  It wasn’t easy at times because after Bob had a brain aneurysm in 1984 their marriage did not last.  However, their love for each other remained a constant and they worked together, along with extended family, to be there for their sons.  In August 2016 they became grandparents when Shaun and his wife Sarah had a son, Benjamin.  Three years later they had a daughter, Kira.  Every holiday and special event was a time for the whole family, including grandparents and siblings to get together to celebrate.

After becoming a mom Deb went back to school at Winona State University and majored in Special Education.  She graduated in 1994 with her Bachelor of Science-Teaching degree.  May 2001 she completed her Master’s of Arts and Education from Hamline University.  She found purpose and took pride in her ability to work with students who had special needs.

Of the many things Deb enjoyed, the Fourth of July reunions with cousins in South Dakota were at the top of the list.  She also returned to Austin many times to attend the county fair she loved as a child, and she and her sister Sue attended the MN State Fair yearly.

To say Deb was an avid Vikings fan is an understatement.  On game days you would find her seated in her favorite chair, glass of wine by her side, ready to cheer them on, win or lose.  She was thrilled to attend a game with Sue in 2017.

Deb retired from teaching in 2023.  She continued to substitute for a year until her illness, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) made it impossible to continue working. After retirement she always hoped to travel and watch her grandchildren grow up but FTD took that away from her.  She will always be remembered as a caring, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and mother-in-law.

Deb is survived by her two sons Shaun (Sarah) Kester of Rochester,MN and Joseph Kester of Rochester, MN; two grandchildren Benjamin and Kira Kester; sisters Susan Broin of Maplewood, MN and Kristin (Ronald) Broin-Pierson of Tehachapi, CA; former sisters-in-law Linda (Jerry) Brink and Kathy Beckwith, and former brother-in-law Lynn Kester,  along with many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Deb is preceded in death by her parents, former husband Bob Kester, his parents Cyril and Ethel Kester, and his brother and sister Wayne Kester and Diane Vogen.

Memorials may be directed to Paws and Claws Humane Society in Rochester.

Robert B. Kester – Rochester, MN

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Robert B. Kester on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Bob was born to Cyril and Ethel (Holets) Kester on July 8, 1951 in Preston, MN.  He was 74 years old.  As a young child he overcame polio. Bob graduated from Mayo High School, Rochester MN and soon after was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Italy during his service.  When he returned home, he also served in the Reserves.

Speed was a nickname he received from friends because he would answer questions, they put to him MINUTES after they were asked. He had a deep slow drawl at times and a pace to match.  He could be swift under the right circumstances, however!  Bob was a natural artist who never appreciated his own talent.  When he was a young man, he had the hippie long curly hair and rode a motorcycle, which he had hand-painted a design on the gas tank.

Being the handsome man he was, Deb Broin found him!  Speed and Deb were wed, August 3, 1975.  They brought two sons: Shaun Kester and Joseph Kester into the world with love.  Bob suffered a brain aneurysm just before his second son was born.  This changed the trajectory of his life and all those who loved him.  The event ended his career at IBM. After a long recovery he was able to work at ABC (Ability Building Community) where he continued to help support his family.

Bob’s love, personality and sense of humor always came through despite his hardships.  I don’t think a man could have been more proud of his sons.  He loved them greatly.  Shaun and Sarah gave him two beautiful grandchildren. Though the marriage ended, Speed and Deb’s love did not.  His family were the most important people in his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Diane Vogen; and brother, Wayne Kester; and nephew, Scott W. Kester.  His mother and father in-law (Spud & Donna Broin) and brother-in-law, Ken Beckwith also preceded him.  He is survived by his former wife, Deb (Broin) Kester, his son, Shaun (Sarah) Kester with his grandson, Benjamin and granddaughter, Kira; AND his youngest son, Joseph Kester.  He is also survived by his sister, Linda (Jerry) Brink; sister-in-law, Susan L. Kester; brother, Lynn (Shari) Kester; and sister, Kathy Beckwith; his sisters-in-law: Sue and Kristin and many loving nieces and nephews.