Jean Kestel

I am jeans niece. I remember going to her house to visit and she had bunnies in the back yard!

I remember most how Aunt Jean's eyes sparkled when she smiled. Barbi has inherited the trait! I remember visiting Aunt Jean and Uncle Dick in Ames and how much fun my parents had playing cards and hanging out with them while we kids hung out with Barbi and Jenni and explored a place that was different than ours. I was happy to attend her 90th birthday party and still see the sparkle in her eyes. She will be missed.

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Jean ~ I was just telling someone about her last week! I knew Jean at St. Joseph. We were both members of our Parish´s "One-derful Ones" group, which gathers for lunch on the second Thursday of every month. Jean was so kind, so enjoyable, and so much fun to be with! We were all sad when she had to move to Ames. Since Jean really enjoyed hot roast beef sandwiches, we decided to have that for her farewell lunch, but we couldn´t find a place in the Milford/Lakes area that served them on Thursdays. After checking around, we ended up Road Tripping to the bar in Terril, where they did have hot beef on Thursdays. We decided to take a Farewell Picture. It was lovely: a bunch of us St. Joseph church ladies all gathered around Jean, up against a pool table . . . with a huge lit BUDWEISER sign over the top of us! Jean was missed when she left us then. She is missed as she leaves us now. Jean´s life on earth was a visible reflection of God´s presence and love. Blessings and Prayers to Jean´s Family for Peace and Comfort at this Difficult Time ~

"Auntie Jean" was my mom's identical twin sister, and our families were close growing up.

When I was a kid, after we'd moved from Ames to Des Moines, sometimes when Jean was in town on business, she'd drop by unannounced. One summer day she stopped over but Mom was out running a quick errand. I told her that Mom was due back any minute, and invited her to sit and have cup of coffee in the kitchen. Just then, a couple of neighborhood pals showed up, so I invited them in. They saw Jean sitting at the kitchen table and offered a cheerful "Hi, Mrs. Burns!" We had a good laugh over that. There were other instances, too.

Aunt Jean was a gourmet cook (at least by my standards), a tasteful decorator, dressed impeccably, and gave me some of my favorite childhood Christmas gifts: bubble bath in cartoon character plastic bottles--I remember a Yogi Bear and a Huckleberry Hound. I can't really put a finger on why I liked them so much--probably had more to do with the giver than the gift.

I'm grateful for Jean's kindness, patience, generosity and positive influence over the years. And especially for the gifts of Barbi and Jenni.

I'll hold my Auntie Jean's memories dear, and send Barbi and Reggie my love and sympathy.

I, too, always looked forward to childhood summertime visits to Aunt Jean's and Uncle Dick's. I honestly can't recall seeing either one of them without a big smile, making sure everyone was happy and enjoying themselves!

My favorite memory of my Aunt Jean is going to her house in Ames and seeing her bunnies in the back yard. I also remember her as one of tge most kind, gentle and serene people ive ever known! She will be missed by many.