Albert Kester

Albert Spencer Kester, 81, passed beyond the Great Divide on Friday, March 17, 2017 at his home in New Raymer, Colorado. This ended a 5-year battle with multiple complications due to Alzheimer's. Albert's great-grandfather Harrison homesteaded near Leroy in 1886. He returned briefly to Iowa to bring his family back to Colorado. Albert's grandfather Bert (13 at the time) helped trail cattle all night from Kansas in a hurried effort to arrive for the election of February 25, 1887. It was this election that established Logan as a county, splitting from Weld County. Grandfather Bert purchased the Kester Ranch at West Plains in 1920. About 1930, Joubert and Clara began purchasing land Northeast of New Raymer. On the ranch, now known as the Walker Ranch, Albert was born January 15, 1936 to Clara (Hartway) and Joubert Kester. Albert was the youngest of 4 children and his understanding of livestock and love of the prairie made him Joubert's favorite; a relationship that would turn bitter in later years. In 1938 his 13-year old sister Betty was struck by lightning, killing both her and her horse as their mother and sister watched from the house. The death devastated the family. In the aftermath of Betty's death, Albert was frequently left alone as a small child to tend to the livestock while his parents struggled to run their own ranch, as well as Bert's ranch, and salvage their marriage. During this time, Albert cared for the horses, cattle and sheep. His love of horses came from his namesake, Bert, who was quoted saying to homesteaders when they came to ask for help "take these horses and do the best you can boys". During these formative years, Albert frequented the Box Ranch, becoming best friends with Allen and enjoying Famie's home-cooked meals and loving attention. When Albert was 7 Joubert sold his ranch in New Raymer and moved the family to Westplains. Albert and 15-year old Buck Shoemaker drove the family's livestock horseback from New Raymer to the new ranch. It was on this ranch that Joubert raised hundreds of foals for the United States Calvary, continued to run large bands of sheep and began raising Highlander Cattle. When Albert was 15 his parents divorced and Clara moved to Greeley with the children. Homesick for the ranch, Albert spent weekends and summers back in Westplains. Graduating from College High in 1953, Albert then attended CSCE (now UNC) for one year. In 1955 Albert married Marcia Bauer and they moved back to the family ranch in Westplains where Susie was born in 1957 and Jubal in 1959. In 1963 Albert and his family moved to Boulder where he worked for Rayback Plumbing. He was part of the crew that put the finishing touches on the Dillon Dam. In 1965 Joubert convinced him to return to the ranch. It was a contentious situation between Albert and his father. In 1970 he divorced Marcia and later that year married Karen Box. They remained in Westplains, anticipating the inheritance of the ranch. In a bitter ending Joubert sold the ranch in 1975 forcing Albert and Karen to move back to New Raymer. Darrell Wagner persuaded Albert to open a well service, which he eventually did. In 1976 Albert, Karen and Jube established Kester Pump Service. Albert transitioned the business over to his son in the late 1980s and Jube still operates it today. In 1986 Albert, Karen, Jube and Kathy opened Pawnee Station Restaurant and Wild Horse Jerry's Liquor store. In 1990 Albert began working for the Timmerman Ranch Company as Ranch Manager. It was during this time that Albert could live the life that he so treasured. There was another ranch to run. Barb wire fences to be taken down, cattle and water to watch. Horses were once again a part of his everyday life and he thrived on teaching his grandchildren how to ride and drive vehicles. He always believed a motorized vehicle could do the same things and go the same places a horse could. After years of endless dents and wrecked pickups he never admitted any different. The most colorful stories of his life involved a horse, a crashed pickup, or occasionally a jail. Albert was an Elk's member for 58 years, New Raymer Lions Club member, Northeast Weld County Drylander's Club member, Co-Founder of Feeders and Friends Benefit, the Northeast Weld County Fair Committee and the National Western Stock Show Club. He initiated Renegade's Run, a 30-mile horse race across the plains of northeast Colorado. Albert ran several teams each year and was often heard yelling, "You pay the price, you get to play!" Albert is preceded in death by: sister Betty, parents Joubert Kester, Clara Hartway Kester and step-parents Bertha Kester and Connie Conradson, brother Donald and wife Karen Box Kester. Albert is survived by children Susie Kester and Jube (Kathy) Kester, both of New Raymer; four grandchildren: Danny (April) Elwood, Kelly (Tim) Harris, Anna (Mike) Loomis, and Albert Kester; six great-grandchildren Haleigh, Keeleigh, Wiley and Oakleigh Elwood, and Jett and Brynley Harris; sister Joyce Woods; six nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. For more information friends and family can visit Albert S. Kester Obituary on Facebook. The Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, March 31st at 3 p.m. at Prairie High School with Pastor Jerry Bellis officiating. Burial immediately after at the New Raymer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital at PO Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN. 38148 or by phone 1-800-822-6344 in Albert Kester's name, account #10953531.