Delmar Gene Kesterson Sr., age 85 of Maxwell, passed away at his home on November 5, 2014.
Delmar was born on February 1, 1929 in Hershey, NE to Arthur L. and Arvilla (Hubbell) Kesterson. He went to country school in the Sandhills and Bignell until the 9th grade when he moved to North Platte to attend high school and live with his sister Nonie. He graduated from North Platte High School in 1946 then worked for local farmers, and in Oregon in the lumber mills before entering the US Army in 1951. He served in the Korean War where he made lifelong friends with some of the men he served with. After his discharge in 1953 he married Betty Johnson on January 15, 1954 in North Platte. The couple lived in North Platte for a short time before moving east of Maxwell where they farmed. They moved to their homeplace in 1975 where they raised corn, alfalfa and cattle. He loved the farming lifestyle and enjoyed working hard. He always took much pride in the big gardens he grew. In 1985 he and Betty took on a rural mail route and they worked that until 2006. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion.
Delmar is survived by his wife Betty of Maxwell; children Sandy (Max) Thomas of Plattsmouth, Delmar (Angie) Kesterson Jr, of North Platte; grandchildren Curtis (Jenny) Thomas of Lincoln, Amanda Kesterson of Plattsmouth, and Charley Kesterson of North Platte; 2 great grand children Emery and Dalton Thomas of Lincoln; sister Melba Griffin of Roseburg, OR; and numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; twin daughters Debra and Diane; another infant daughter Marsha; twin grandchildren; brother Jeard; and sisters Cecile, Leta, Velva, Lenora “Nonie”, and Betty.
Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center and online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday November 10, 2014 at Adams and Swanson Funeral Home Chapel with Aaron Stalker presiding. Burial will follow at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon until 6:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 until 6:00. Adams and Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.