Hazel Kester

Hazel Hobbs Kester, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Cape Girardeau, the daughter of Isaac H. and Esther Schroeder Hobbs. She and Walter Kester were married on Dec. 21, 1941 in Cape Girardeau. He died Dec. 21, 1979.

Mrs. Kester was a graduate of College High School. She was a seamstress for International Shoe Co. and Ralph Edwards Sportswear.

She was a member of Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church for 86 years and was a UMW Board Member. She was also a member of Spring Valley Homemakers Club and Cape Senior Center where she was head of the Quilting Club. She was a past 4-H leader, past president of Brooks School PTA and Grey Hair Representative for Southeast Missouri.

Mrs. Kester is remembered as being the best cook and made the best chicken and dumplings.

She was a member of two Cape Girardeau County Pioneer families, the Brooks and Hobbs families. The family property was purchased directly from Louis Lorimier.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Martin Scharenborg of Cape Girardeau; a daughter-in-law, Linda Kester of Jackson; four grandchildren, Octavia Scharenborg of Cape Gir-ardeau, Sheila Hahn of Advance, Mo., Greg Kester of Festus, Mo., Mitchell Kester of Jackson; and two great-granddaughters, Bethany Hahn and Abigail Kester.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, James Kester; brother, George Hobbs; and sister, Isa Kasper.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating.

Burial will be at Hobbs Chapel Cemetery, in Cape Girardeau.