Leo Kesler, 76, of Kelso passed away Nov. 22, 2008, at the Hospice Care Center.
He was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Orrin, N.D., the son of John J. and Mary (Reiter) Kesler.
Leo lived in the Kelso-Longview area since 1967, coming form Harvey, N.D., where he grew up working for his father in the insulating business, helping in the blacksmith shop and working at Redowl Grocery Store. In 1950 he joined the National Guard serving in active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. After serving he returned to Harvey to help his mother in her billboard and sign company.
He married Dorothy Ehrman in 1954. She survives him. Also surviving are four sons, Perry Lee Kesler of Longview, John Allen Kesler of Kelso and Leo Kevin Kesler and Robert William Kesler, both of Castle Rock; a brother, Wendelin Kesler of Redding, Calif.; three sisters, Susie Conrad and Linda Frost, both of Harvey and Shirley Lavendure of Devil's Lake, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, Randy, Jason, Bill, Jenny, Jolean, Brandon, Trenten, Gretta, Beau, Lacy and Jessica; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Leo owned a service station for several years, then became manager of the Harvey VFW club and later a partner in the Artos Supper Club.
He moved his wife and four sons to Longview in 1967, working for Weyerhaeuser and part-time at Kelso Elks, later becoming manager. In 1973, he managed the Monticello Hotel for Dick Winters, at the time he also owned Kesler Pull Tab Distribution. Later he leased the hotel with his friend, Bob Makinster. After Bob's passing, he continued to lease the hotel until it was sold to McKenzie Smith. Late he moved back to Kelso Elks where he had his own restaurant, Kesler's. He sold the restaurant in 1998, returning for a short time to manage the hotel for one last time. Leo also managed the Longview Country Club, Longview Elks and helped many other local restaurants.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Longview, and a 50 year member of the Harvey Eagles in North Dakota.
Leo retired in 2002, spending time fishing, feeding the birds and squirrels, enjoying time with his family and helping his four sons' businesses. He was a great man who did things his way, had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Joe, Emil, Ed, Clarence, Roy and James; and a sister, Lena.
A celebration of Leo's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Kesler's Bar & Grill, 1170 Commerce Ave., in Longview.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.
Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.
Cancer claims dedicated restaurateur Leo Kesler, 76
Leo Kesler, longtime manager of Longview's Monticello Hotel, died Saturday at the Hospice Care Center after a short bout with cancer, according to his wife.
Kesler, 76, was enjoying his retirement from a lifetime in the restaurant business when he began showing signs of illness late last month, said his wife of 54 years, Kelso resident Dorothy Kesler.
An ultrasound revealed spots on his liver and pancreas, and doctors said he had an inoperable tumor. Three weeks later, he died.
"It is horrible because it was just way too fast," Dorothy Kesler said Monday. "He was very special. … Everybody just loved him. He was just so kind and giving. The girls who worked for him, they were all heartbroken."
Born and raised in North Dakota, Leo Kesler served as a U.S. Army tank crewman in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He then ran his mother's sign business company in Harvey, N.D., and owned a service station. He managed the town's VFW and later owned the Artos Supper Club with a partner.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Longview, where he worked at Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Kelso Elks.
In 1973, Kesler became food and beverage manager of the newly remodeled Monticello Hotel, then owned by Dick Winters. Over the years, Kesler left for other restaurant ventures but returned to manage the hotel a handful of times, his wife said.
He opened Kesler's Restaurant in 1989 at 902 Ash St. in Kelso, leasing space from the Kelso Elks Club. He sold the restaurant in 1998 and began managing the Monticello Hotel again under the ownership of Annabelle and Phillip Lovingfoss.
After his retirement in 2002, Kesler spent his time fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and helping his four sons with their businesses. His son Leo Kesler Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by opening Kesler's Bar and Grill in downtown Longview in 2006.
"He was just a very outgoing person," Dorothy Kesler said of her husband. "He was known for high-quality service and high-quality food. You never got the cheap grades of anything. … The best you could get was all he would settle for."
A memorial service for Leo Kesler will be held in about three weeks. The time and date will be announced as details are finalized.
Posted in Local on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 am
The Daily News Online
Event: 1940 United States Federal Census
about Leo Kesler
Name: Leo Kesler
Age: 8
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1932
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Dakota
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Harvey, Wells, North Dakota
Street: Chery Avenue
House Number: 509
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Sheet Number: 16A
Household Members: Name Age
John Kesler 39
Mary Kesler 35
Susie Kesler 17
Lena Kesler 16
Emil Kesler 14
Wendelin Kesler 10
Edward Kesler 10
Leo Kesler 8
Clarene Kesler 5
Roy Kesler 3
James Kesler 10/12
He was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Orrin, N.D., the son of John J. and Mary (Reiter) Kesler.
Leo lived in the Kelso-Longview area since 1967, coming form Harvey, N.D., where he grew up working for his father in the insulating business, helping in the blacksmith shop and working at Redowl Grocery Store. In 1950 he joined the National Guard serving in active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. After serving he returned to Harvey to help his mother in her billboard and sign company.
He married Dorothy Ehrman in 1954. She survives him. Also surviving are four sons, Perry Lee Kesler of Longview, John Allen Kesler of Kelso and Leo Kevin Kesler and Robert William Kesler, both of Castle Rock; a brother, Wendelin Kesler of Redding, Calif.; three sisters, Susie Conrad and Linda Frost, both of Harvey and Shirley Lavendure of Devil's Lake, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, Randy, Jason, Bill, Jenny, Jolean, Brandon, Trenten, Gretta, Beau, Lacy and Jessica; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Leo owned a service station for several years, then became manager of the Harvey VFW club and later a partner in the Artos Supper Club.
He moved his wife and four sons to Longview in 1967, working for Weyerhaeuser and part-time at Kelso Elks, later becoming manager. In 1973, he managed the Monticello Hotel for Dick Winters, at the time he also owned Kesler Pull Tab Distribution. Later he leased the hotel with his friend, Bob Makinster. After Bob's passing, he continued to lease the hotel until it was sold to McKenzie Smith. Late he moved back to Kelso Elks where he had his own restaurant, Kesler's. He sold the restaurant in 1998, returning for a short time to manage the hotel for one last time. Leo also managed the Longview Country Club, Longview Elks and helped many other local restaurants.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Longview, and a 50 year member of the Harvey Eagles in North Dakota.
Leo retired in 2002, spending time fishing, feeding the birds and squirrels, enjoying time with his family and helping his four sons' businesses. He was a great man who did things his way, had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Joe, Emil, Ed, Clarence, Roy and James; and a sister, Lena.
A celebration of Leo's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Kesler's Bar & Grill, 1170 Commerce Ave., in Longview.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.
Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.
Cancer claims dedicated restaurateur Leo Kesler, 76
Leo Kesler, longtime manager of Longview's Monticello Hotel, died Saturday at the Hospice Care Center after a short bout with cancer, according to his wife.
Kesler, 76, was enjoying his retirement from a lifetime in the restaurant business when he began showing signs of illness late last month, said his wife of 54 years, Kelso resident Dorothy Kesler.
An ultrasound revealed spots on his liver and pancreas, and doctors said he had an inoperable tumor. Three weeks later, he died.
"It is horrible because it was just way too fast," Dorothy Kesler said Monday. "He was very special. … Everybody just loved him. He was just so kind and giving. The girls who worked for him, they were all heartbroken."
Born and raised in North Dakota, Leo Kesler served as a U.S. Army tank crewman in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He then ran his mother's sign business company in Harvey, N.D., and owned a service station. He managed the town's VFW and later owned the Artos Supper Club with a partner.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Longview, where he worked at Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Kelso Elks.
In 1973, Kesler became food and beverage manager of the newly remodeled Monticello Hotel, then owned by Dick Winters. Over the years, Kesler left for other restaurant ventures but returned to manage the hotel a handful of times, his wife said.
He opened Kesler's Restaurant in 1989 at 902 Ash St. in Kelso, leasing space from the Kelso Elks Club. He sold the restaurant in 1998 and began managing the Monticello Hotel again under the ownership of Annabelle and Phillip Lovingfoss.
After his retirement in 2002, Kesler spent his time fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and helping his four sons with their businesses. His son Leo Kesler Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by opening Kesler's Bar and Grill in downtown Longview in 2006.
"He was just a very outgoing person," Dorothy Kesler said of her husband. "He was known for high-quality service and high-quality food. You never got the cheap grades of anything. … The best you could get was all he would settle for."
A memorial service for Leo Kesler will be held in about three weeks. The time and date will be announced as details are finalized.
Posted in Local on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 am
The Daily News Online
Event: 1940 United States Federal Census
about Leo Kesler
Name: Leo Kesler
Age: 8
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1932
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Dakota
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Harvey, Wells, North Dakota
Street: Chery Avenue
House Number: 509
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Sheet Number: 16A
Household Members: Name Age
John Kesler 39
Mary Kesler 35
Susie Kesler 17
Lena Kesler 16
Emil Kesler 14
Wendelin Kesler 10
Edward Kesler 10
Leo Kesler 8
Clarene Kesler 5
Roy Kesler 3
James Kesler 10/12
Leo Kesler, 76, of Kelso passed away Nov. 22, 2008, at the Hospice Care Center.
He was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Orrin, N.D., the son of John J. and Mary (Reiter) Kesler.
Leo lived in the Kelso-Longview area since 1967, coming form Harvey, N.D., where he grew up working for his father in the insulating business, helping in the blacksmith shop and working at Redowl Grocery Store. In 1950 he joined the National Guard serving in active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. After serving he returned to Harvey to help his mother in her billboard and sign company.
He married Dorothy Ehrman in 1954. She survives him. Also surviving are four sons, Perry Lee Kesler of Longview, John Allen Kesler of Kelso and Leo Kevin Kesler and Robert William Kesler, both of Castle Rock; a brother, Wendelin Kesler of Redding, Calif.; three sisters, Susie Conrad and Linda Frost, both of Harvey and Shirley Lavendure of Devil's Lake, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, Randy, Jason, Bill, Jenny, Jolean, Brandon, Trenten, Gretta, Beau, Lacy and Jessica; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Leo owned a service station for several years, then became manager of the Harvey VFW club and later a partner in the Artos Supper Club.
He moved his wife and four sons to Longview in 1967, working for Weyerhaeuser and part-time at Kelso Elks, later becoming manager. In 1973, he managed the Monticello Hotel for Dick Winters, at the time he also owned Kesler Pull Tab Distribution. Later he leased the hotel with his friend, Bob Makinster. After Bob's passing, he continued to lease the hotel until it was sold to McKenzie Smith. Late he moved back to Kelso Elks where he had his own restaurant, Kesler's. He sold the restaurant in 1998, returning for a short time to manage the hotel for one last time. Leo also managed the Longview Country Club, Longview Elks and helped many other local restaurants.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Longview, and a 50 year member of the Harvey Eagles in North Dakota.
Leo retired in 2002, spending time fishing, feeding the birds and squirrels, enjoying time with his family and helping his four sons' businesses. He was a great man who did things his way, had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Joe, Emil, Ed, Clarence, Roy and James; and a sister, Lena.
A celebration of Leo's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Kesler's Bar & Grill, 1170 Commerce Ave., in Longview.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.
Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.
Cancer claims dedicated restaurateur Leo Kesler, 76
Leo Kesler, longtime manager of Longview's Monticello Hotel, died Saturday at the Hospice Care Center after a short bout with cancer, according to his wife.
Kesler, 76, was enjoying his retirement from a lifetime in the restaurant business when he began showing signs of illness late last month, said his wife of 54 years, Kelso resident Dorothy Kesler.
An ultrasound revealed spots on his liver and pancreas, and doctors said he had an inoperable tumor. Three weeks later, he died.
"It is horrible because it was just way too fast," Dorothy Kesler said Monday. "He was very special. … Everybody just loved him. He was just so kind and giving. The girls who worked for him, they were all heartbroken."
Born and raised in North Dakota, Leo Kesler served as a U.S. Army tank crewman in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He then ran his mother's sign business company in Harvey, N.D., and owned a service station. He managed the town's VFW and later owned the Artos Supper Club with a partner.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Longview, where he worked at Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Kelso Elks.
In 1973, Kesler became food and beverage manager of the newly remodeled Monticello Hotel, then owned by Dick Winters. Over the years, Kesler left for other restaurant ventures but returned to manage the hotel a handful of times, his wife said.
He opened Kesler's Restaurant in 1989 at 902 Ash St. in Kelso, leasing space from the Kelso Elks Club. He sold the restaurant in 1998 and began managing the Monticello Hotel again under the ownership of Annabelle and Phillip Lovingfoss.
After his retirement in 2002, Kesler spent his time fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and helping his four sons with their businesses. His son Leo Kesler Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by opening Kesler's Bar and Grill in downtown Longview in 2006.
"He was just a very outgoing person," Dorothy Kesler said of her husband. "He was known for high-quality service and high-quality food. You never got the cheap grades of anything. … The best you could get was all he would settle for."
A memorial service for Leo Kesler will be held in about three weeks. The time and date will be announced as details are finalized.
Posted in Local on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 am
The Daily News Online
Event: 1940 United States Federal Census
about Leo Kesler
Name: Leo Kesler
Age: 8
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1932
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Dakota
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Harvey, Wells, North Dakota
Street: Chery Avenue
House Number: 509
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Sheet Number: 16A
Household Members: Name Age
John Kesler 39
Mary Kesler 35
Susie Kesler 17
Lena Kesler 16
Emil Kesler 14
Wendelin Kesler 10
Edward Kesler 10
Leo Kesler 8
Clarene Kesler 5
Roy Kesler 3
James Kesler 10/12
He was born Nov. 29, 1931, in Orrin, N.D., the son of John J. and Mary (Reiter) Kesler.
Leo lived in the Kelso-Longview area since 1967, coming form Harvey, N.D., where he grew up working for his father in the insulating business, helping in the blacksmith shop and working at Redowl Grocery Store. In 1950 he joined the National Guard serving in active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. After serving he returned to Harvey to help his mother in her billboard and sign company.
He married Dorothy Ehrman in 1954. She survives him. Also surviving are four sons, Perry Lee Kesler of Longview, John Allen Kesler of Kelso and Leo Kevin Kesler and Robert William Kesler, both of Castle Rock; a brother, Wendelin Kesler of Redding, Calif.; three sisters, Susie Conrad and Linda Frost, both of Harvey and Shirley Lavendure of Devil's Lake, N.D.; 11 grandchildren, Randy, Jason, Bill, Jenny, Jolean, Brandon, Trenten, Gretta, Beau, Lacy and Jessica; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Leo owned a service station for several years, then became manager of the Harvey VFW club and later a partner in the Artos Supper Club.
He moved his wife and four sons to Longview in 1967, working for Weyerhaeuser and part-time at Kelso Elks, later becoming manager. In 1973, he managed the Monticello Hotel for Dick Winters, at the time he also owned Kesler Pull Tab Distribution. Later he leased the hotel with his friend, Bob Makinster. After Bob's passing, he continued to lease the hotel until it was sold to McKenzie Smith. Late he moved back to Kelso Elks where he had his own restaurant, Kesler's. He sold the restaurant in 1998, returning for a short time to manage the hotel for one last time. Leo also managed the Longview Country Club, Longview Elks and helped many other local restaurants.
He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Longview, and a 50 year member of the Harvey Eagles in North Dakota.
Leo retired in 2002, spending time fishing, feeding the birds and squirrels, enjoying time with his family and helping his four sons' businesses. He was a great man who did things his way, had a great sense of humor and will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Joe, Emil, Ed, Clarence, Roy and James; and a sister, Lena.
A celebration of Leo's life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Kesler's Bar & Grill, 1170 Commerce Ave., in Longview.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, WA 98632.
Arrangements are by Columbia Funeral Service.
Cancer claims dedicated restaurateur Leo Kesler, 76
Leo Kesler, longtime manager of Longview's Monticello Hotel, died Saturday at the Hospice Care Center after a short bout with cancer, according to his wife.
Kesler, 76, was enjoying his retirement from a lifetime in the restaurant business when he began showing signs of illness late last month, said his wife of 54 years, Kelso resident Dorothy Kesler.
An ultrasound revealed spots on his liver and pancreas, and doctors said he had an inoperable tumor. Three weeks later, he died.
"It is horrible because it was just way too fast," Dorothy Kesler said Monday. "He was very special. … Everybody just loved him. He was just so kind and giving. The girls who worked for him, they were all heartbroken."
Born and raised in North Dakota, Leo Kesler served as a U.S. Army tank crewman in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He then ran his mother's sign business company in Harvey, N.D., and owned a service station. He managed the town's VFW and later owned the Artos Supper Club with a partner.
In 1967, he and his wife moved to Longview, where he worked at Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Kelso Elks.
In 1973, Kesler became food and beverage manager of the newly remodeled Monticello Hotel, then owned by Dick Winters. Over the years, Kesler left for other restaurant ventures but returned to manage the hotel a handful of times, his wife said.
He opened Kesler's Restaurant in 1989 at 902 Ash St. in Kelso, leasing space from the Kelso Elks Club. He sold the restaurant in 1998 and began managing the Monticello Hotel again under the ownership of Annabelle and Phillip Lovingfoss.
After his retirement in 2002, Kesler spent his time fishing, feeding squirrels and birds, and helping his four sons with their businesses. His son Leo Kesler Jr. followed in his father's footsteps by opening Kesler's Bar and Grill in downtown Longview in 2006.
"He was just a very outgoing person," Dorothy Kesler said of her husband. "He was known for high-quality service and high-quality food. You never got the cheap grades of anything. … The best you could get was all he would settle for."
A memorial service for Leo Kesler will be held in about three weeks. The time and date will be announced as details are finalized.
Posted in Local on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:00 am
The Daily News Online
Event: 1940 United States Federal Census
about Leo Kesler
Name: Leo Kesler
Age: 8
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1932
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Dakota
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Home in 1940: Harvey, Wells, North Dakota
Street: Chery Avenue
House Number: 509
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Residence in 1935: Rural, Pierce, North Dakota
Sheet Number: 16A
Household Members: Name Age
John Kesler 39
Mary Kesler 35
Susie Kesler 17
Lena Kesler 16
Emil Kesler 14
Wendelin Kesler 10
Edward Kesler 10
Leo Kesler 8
Clarene Kesler 5
Roy Kesler 3
James Kesler 10/12
Gravesite Details
Ashes given to his wife and sit on the fireplace mantel
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