Funeral services for Brenda Lester, 44, of Sidney, were at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church with the Rev. David Huskamp officiating. Music was provided by Joann Christensen. Casketbearers were Kyle Lester, Kaleb Lester, Jake Lester, Keith Widhalm, Martin Whitaker and Joe Micheletto. Honorary casketbearers were Logan Lester and Keegan Widhalm.
Brenda was born in Billings on May 12, 1967, to Jerry and Judy (Gossard) Haynes. Shortly afterwards, the family moved to Helena, where she grew up and graduated from Capital High School in 1985. She married her high school sweetheart, Keith Lester. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Kendra, Kyle, Kaleb and Kassidy.
Brenda’s career included working in group homes in Helena and Sidney. She gave compassionate care to the people she worked with. Brenda always found the best qualities in everyone. She also loved her work as a bartender, where she most recently worked at the Club Tavern in Sidney. Her compassion for others could be seen at the club as she cared for each patron and made many friends.
Brenda’s greatest passion was her children and grandchildren. They were her greatest joy, the center of her life and she was their rock. Her priority was being there for her family. Many who knew Brenda would say, “She is like a mother to me;” that’s the special quality she had. When she was afforded some time for herself, she was an avid reader. She also enjoyed throwing darts with her sons and sun tanning with her daughters. The time Brenda had to herself she shared with her much-loved dog, Templeton.
Our beloved Brenda Lee Lester left us peacefully on Sunday, March 25, 2012, in Sidney. Brenda will forever be cherished and will always be in our hearts. She will be greatly missed and remembered as the definition of “mother.”
Brenda is survived by: her husband, Keith Lester of Sidney; her children, Kendra Lester of Helena and Kyle Lester, Kaleb Lester and Kassidy Lester, all of Sidney; her grandchildren, Emma, Kooper, Dylan and Karly, all of Sidney; her parents, LeRoy and Judy Much of Helena and Jerry and MaryAnn Haynes of Washington; a sister, Ronnie (Scott) Chakales of Texas; mother-in-law, Joan Lester of Helena; brothers-in-law, Mark Lester and Scott Lester of Helena and Dean Lester of Idaho; sister-in-law, Colleen (Keith) Widhalm of Valier; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial service will take place on Thursday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at Forestvale Cemetery. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Brend, please sign the guest book.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Ray and Rose Crowder says
Dear Keith and Family,
Please except our deepest sympathy in your time of loss. Our heart goes out to you and your entire family.
Ray and Rose