John D. Kester

John D. Kester

Marion

John D. Kester, 57, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at UnityPoint-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of John’s life will be open from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion.

John was born on Jan. 2, 1965, in Manchester, Iowa, the son of Louis Edward and Vaneta Mae (Wall) Kester. He grew up on the family farm near Lamont, Iowa. John was a 1983 graduate of Starmont High School and went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa, graduating in 1987, with a degree in Computer Science. In May of 1990, John was united in marriage to Kristi Paulson. They later divorced. John worked at St. Luke’s Hospital as a Computer Programmer from 1987 to 1998. He then went on to own and operate an IT consulting business called Innovative Software Solutions, with his best friend Kurt Kraus, until 2007. John then worked for NXT Bank in Cyber Security until 2018. He also worked for LattaHarris as a seasonal tax preparer for several years.

John had a passion for blues music and was a lifetime fan of both the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland A’s. He most loved spending time with his kids, Dane and Meg. John had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is survived and lovingly remembered by his two children, Dane Kester and Meg Kester, both of West Des Moines, Iowa; former wife, Kristi Kester of Marion; five siblings, Gary (Pam) Kester of San Diego, Calif., Janet (Roger) Miersen of Marion, Virginia Kester of Dillon, Colo., Jim Kester of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Diane Kester (Mick Pingel) of Austin, Texas; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials in John’s memory may be directed to either his family or to St. Luke’s Foundation at 810 First Ave. NE, 2nd Floor, in Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.