Wayne Lynn Kester

November 10, 1949, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, our own million-dollar superman was born to Cyril and Ethel (Holets) Kester. Wayne Lynn Kester grew up in Harmony, MN, with his 5 brothers and sisters, Diane (Vogen), Linda (Jerry Brink), Robert (Bob), Lynn (Sherri), and Kathy (Beckwith). He worked with his father in construction and his uncles on their family farms, and he learned his trade and passion. Wayne’s family moved to Rochester his senior year, and he was in the first class to graduate from Mayo High School in 1967. In 1968, he was drafted into the United States Marine Corps (Semper Fi). The Marine Corps would change his life forever. Through his best friend, Wayne Kennedy, he met the love of his life - Sue (Susan Mears). The two married in California in June of 1971 after Wayne got out of the service and left right after for Minnesota in a 1956 Chevy with $300 in their pockets and hearts full of love. Wayne first worked for Olstad Implement in Chatfield, where he and Sue settled. Their idea of having fun was heading to Uncle Boyd and Aunt Marge’s farm to help with pig chores or going on fishing trips with family and friends. Wayne went on to work for Tuohy Furniture beginning in 1973, just before welcoming his first child, Tammy (Bert Jobes). He began training her early in the fine arts of building, fixing, independence, and associated necessary language skills – like knowing the differences between various tools, screw, and nail sizes, measuring properly, and what to say when hitting yourself with a hammer or dropping tools. Tammy was his shadow – anywhere Wayne went, she would be found, whether in the shop, the barn, or in the field on the tractor. In 1976, Wayne, Sue, and Tammy welcomed Scott to the family. The family outgrew their small house in Chatfield and began pursuing Wayne and Sue’s dream of country life by buying four acres outside of town, where they built a home from the ground up. They lived on this property until 1984, when they bought their farm. Wayne, Sue, the kids, and various animals moved to our own slice of heaven a mile down the road in Shaw Valley between Chatfield and Wykoff. Tammy and Scott grew up on the farm, learning their love of the land and animals from their parents and even holding their first marriages on the property they lovingly called home. Between the two kids, they gifted Wayne, “Papa,” with 7 grandchildren who were the joys of his life: Jordan, Eden, Wayne (Buddy, Brandy), Morgan, William (Bill), Alexander (Alex), and Ivy Sue. The 7 grandkids grew up on the farm, spending all the time they could with their Papa and Nana, learning, growing, and playing. Wayne and Sue became Emergency Medical Technicians in 1986, volunteering for the Chatfield Ambulance Service, where Wayne would give 19 years of service to the community they called home, in addition to working full-time and running the farm. The farm brought them so much happiness and was home until 2009, until they had to sell due to health reasons. Wayne was a lifetime member of the VFW and American Legion. Also, a member of the Chatfield Saddle Club, where he rode his favorite horses, Tahoe and Chief. Wayne and Sue moved into Chatfield, where they found their next adventure on a small piece of land outside town where Wayne could still mow, plow snow, and find things to do with his Kubota tractor. They were heavily involved in their church, finding comfort and salvation in the Lord with their church family. They welcomed most all of the grandkids to live with them at one time or another, and even welcomed their great- granddaughters, Abigail (Abby) and Bailee, who lived with them and in whom Wayne found immense pride, joy, and comfort. He was also blessed with a third great- granddaughter, Adeline (Buddy). Wayne’s girls (yes, all of them) were the lights of his life, and he was extremely proud of his grandsons for following in his footsteps and joining the Marine Corps. Our Papa passed away August 29th , 2025, in his home surrounded by his loving family. 

Wayne was preceded in death by his son, Scott, his parents, mother and father-in-law, his sister Diane, brother-in-law Ken, and many Aunts and Uncles. We know he is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus, where he rejoins them. 

He is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 54 years, Sue, daughter Tammy, grandchildren, great- granddaughters, sisters Linda and Kathy, brothers Robert (Bob) and Lynn (Sherri), three sisters-in-law, Terri Kennedy, Deb (Lyle) Buss, and Judi Mears, brother-in-law Mike Mears (Arlene), and many nieces and nephews.

According to Wayne’s wishes, his body was donated to Mayo Clinic in hopes that they could learn more about HHT and the devastating effects it has on families.

 A service in celebration of his life will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Chatfield on Friday, October 17th, at 2:00 p.m. with fellowship with the family following the service. A service with full military honors will be held along with his committal at Preston Veterans Cemetery at a later date. 

Wayne (Papa) leaves behind a family who will forever hold him in their hearts and memories, while mourning his loss. We will never forget the memories we made with him and the lessons we learned from him.

“If Papa can’t fix it, nobody can.”