Karen Jean Kester, 73, of New Raymer crossed beyond the Great Divide on Monday, May 4, 2015, after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born August 14, 1941, in Sterling, Colorado, to Archie and Famie Box of New Raymer. She grew up on the Box Family Ranch and graduated from New Raymer High School in the Class of 1959. She attended Northeastern Junior College earning a Business Degree in 1961. After graduating from NJC, she worked at Sterling Savings & Loan for nine years as a Bookkeeper and Accountant. On August 25, 1970, she married Albert Kester in Sterling, and they started their life together at the Kester Ranch at West Plains. In 1975 they moved to New Raymer. Soon after, they began their entrepreneurial endeavors. They started Kester Pump Service in 1976, which their son Jube continues to run. In the beginning, Karen worked alongside Albert to get the job done in the water well business. They also opened Pawnee Station Restaurant & Wild Horse Jerry's Liquor Store in 1986, to add another adventure to their resumes. Karen spent most of her time managing this business and keeping it supporting the community. For many years, the restaurant barely made $100, a day\, but she was determined to feed a dozen or so locals who "had nowhere else to eat!" After 22 years, the restaurant was sold in 2008, which allowed Karen to spend more time with her family and friends. Karen has always been a longtime advocate for young people and their ideas, education, and growth. She was both a sponsor and announcer at the Northeast Weld County Fair for many, many years, as well as a longtime announcer and sponsor of the Logan County Fair. She was always willing to help out and give encouragement to young participants. Her strong, confident voice telling a young rider to "ride'em like you stole him" or "whip and ride" will long echo in the hearts of the countless riders who competed in that arena. The "Cowboy's Prayer" will never again be the same as there is no one who could deliver that prayer the way Karen Kester could. The voice of the New Raymer Fair will be forever missed. Karen's continued support of youth was evident as she served on the Prairie School Board for six years. She attended nearly every ballgame and school function and was a loyal contributor for any needy cause. She yearned for the next generation to inherit her love and admiration for agriculture, this land, and this community. Her love of the community showed in the many committees she served on, including Northeast Weld County Fair and Rodeo, New Raymer Centennial Celebration and the 125th Celebration, 50th Anniversary of the Northeast Weld County Fair and Rodeo, New Raymer Cemetery Committee, Renegade's Run, Feeders & Friends Benefit, and the New Raymer Crisis Fund (of which she was a founder). She served on the Raymer Town Council for many terms and on the New Raymer/Stoneham Fire Pension Board. She was also an avid supporter of the Northeast Weld Drylanders. Karen was also known for being the community historian. Her love of the community and its rich history was long remembered and retold many times by Karen as she recalled names, places, and stories that were passed on to younger generations. Karen is survived by her husband Albert; children Jube (Kathy) and Susie all of New Raymer; sister Doris Vangraefschepe of Fort Morgan; brother Allen Box of Sterling; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 11 nieces and nephews; 22 great nieces and nephews; and 34 great-great nieces and nephews and numerous friends, neighbors, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Famie Box and her sisters Louise Littlefield and Pauline Steffen. Celebration of Life services will be on Friday, May 15, at 2:00 p.m., at Prairie School with Pastor Jay Littlefield officiating. Inurnment will be at the New Raymer Cemetery. A reception will follow at the New Raymer Community Center. Everyone is invited to attend this celebration of Karen's life in their finest western attireboots, jeans, cowboy hats, turquoise and silver. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Karen Kester Memorial Fund to benefit the youth of todayP.O. Box 63, New Raymer, CO 80742.