Janet M. Kester, 74, of Friedheim passed away Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 11, 1946, in Cape Girardeau to Lester H. and Artie V. Wills Berkbigler. She and Willie Kester were married Aug. 24, 1963, in Jackson. Three children were born to their union, Willie, Kenny and Angie.

Janet was raised on the family farm in Friedheim and attended Oak Ridge High School. She worked briefly at the Florsheim Shoe factory in Jackson, but her life was dedicated to caring for her family. She loved cooking, gardening, and feeding the birds, especially purple martins.

Loving survivors include her husband of 58 years, Willie Kester of Friedheim; three children, Willie Gene (Laura) Kester and Kenny Lynn Kester, both of Friedheim, and Angie (Steve) Zoellner of St. Peters, Missouri; grandchildren, Ethan Kester and Monica (Blake) Moore; great-grandchildren, Audry, Ali and Gannon Moore; stepgrandchildren, Brooke, Dillon, Kylee and Ashlyn Zoellner; and a sister, Jeannie (Lenny) Seiler of Friedheim.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter and a brother, Perry Berkbigler.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at New Salem United Methodist Church in Daisy, with the Rev. Kathleen Myers officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Janet's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.