Henrietta Nerina Kestel

Henrietta Nerina Kestel, age 93, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Monday, December 16, 2013 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Henrietta Nerina Janning was born March 11, 1920 on the family farm near Carroll, Iowa, the daughter of George and Mary (Mueller) Janning. Growing up, she attended church and school at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel near Carroll. On December 1, 1956 Henrietta was united in marriage to Robert Leo Kestel at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Fonda, Iowa. Together they were blessed with three children: Jeff, George, and Annette. Henrietta was very active in her community. She was a member of the Association of Retarded Citizens Board, St. Maryâ€™s Guild, St. Joseph Rosary Society in Schaller, Farm Bureau, Married Meeters, and the St. Maryâ€™s Quilterâ€™s Circle. Henrietta was a loving wife and mother who became an accomplished seamstress and gardener (flowers and vegetables). She was very handy with tools and could see potential in various raw materials such as cans, fabric, wood scraps, plants, contact paper, paint, nails, wire and glue. With these basic supplies she could decorate a house or fix your bike! Growing up on a farm and being a farm wife she learned that no one should ever start or end a day hungry. Henrietta was a fantastic cook and gardener and as a result the family always knew there was something good cooking in the kitchen. Homemade bread and cinnamon rolls were always on hand for breakfast or any other time of the day. All it took to keep things running was one trip to town every week or two. On many occasions everyone in the family was wearing clothes that Henrietta had sewn. Henrietta won several awards for her sewing projects and was known to have entries in the BV County Fair. Henriettaâ€™s faith was strong and it was vitally important for her to share her faith with her children and grandchildren. She was always willing to help out at church, teaching CCD and arranging flowers. The familyâ€™s schedule always revolved around church â€“ attending mass, going to confession, celebrating holy days, and praying the rosary as a family daily. Those left to cherish her memory include her children: Jeff (Jane) Kestel of Storm Lake, Iowa; George Kestel of Storm Lake, Iowa; Sister Annette Kestel, PBVM of Hiawatha, Iowa; grandchildren: Jill Kestel, Megan Kestel, Alec (Sierra) Kestel; sister, Mary Agnes Nyhus of Sioux City, Iowa; sister-in-law, Bettie Janning of Storm Lake, Iowa; numerous relatives and friends. Henrietta was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kestel; parents, George and Mary Janning; brothers: Joseph, Clarence (Eva), Cletus (Dorothy), Paul (Marguerite), and Ivan (Ardis).

Henrietta Nerina Kestel

March 11, 1920 - December 16, 2013