Lorna Jolley Kesterson, 86, passed away Jan. 16, 2012, in Henderson. She was born in St. George, Utah, Dec. 30, 1925, to Donal Jones Jolley and Nora Crawford Jolley. She married Robert Earl Kesterson Jan. 17, 1953. Lorna attended Utah State University and graduated in 1948 with a major in journalism. After graduating from college, she returned to Boulder City, where she worked in the federal government offices. She then served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in the eastern states, mainly New York and Philadelphia. In 1947, Lorna was awarded a certificate of merit from the Red Cross and President Harry S. Truman for saving the life of a California Boy Scout who was drowning in Lake Mead. She worked for the Henderson Home news for over 30 years when she and her husband, Robert Earl Kesterson, moved to Henderson in 1953. She started as a reporter and worked up to become managing editor of the Henderson Home News. At the same time she sold articles to other newspapers including the Las Vegas Sun and Deseret News. In Henderson, where her four sons were born, she and her husband worked with the youth in PTA and Boy Scouts. When a vacancy occurred on the Henderson City council in 1975, Lorna was named as a replacement. She ran for re-election in 1977-1981. In 1985 she was elected mayor of Henderson and re-elected for an additional term in 1989. In every election she was elected by more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary election. She never ran during the general election. She was named as "Woman of Distinction" by Nevada Alpha Delta Kappa for 1992-1994, as Nevada Public official of the Year in 1991, honored by the Southern Nevada Home Builders and the Chamber of Commerce, and was named "Henderson Woman of Distinction" in 1985. In 1993, she was given the Basic High Blue Pride Award for outstanding service, and was named the city of Henderson's "Woman of the Year" in 1975. She was honored as a member of the National Junior Honor Society of the secondary schools by Burkholder Junior High, based on scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. Lorna was an active member of many boards, which include, The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Daughter of the Utah Pioneers, Honorary Member of the 31ers, The Henderson Development Association, and the Nevada League of Cities Board of Directors, she was a just to name a few. The Lorna J. Kesterson Elementary School was dedicated in February 2000. A recreational center was also named on her behalf. Both of which are located in Henderson. Lorna served diligently in many capacities within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life this allowed the opportunity for her to share her love for music by playing the organ for over 30 years. The legacy of Lorna Kesterson will be forever remembered by her service to others. Her unconditional love for her "boys" and her family was evident by her selflessness that not only extended to her immediate family, but to all of those that she came into contact with. She paved an incredible path for in this life and left a legacy for all to follow. She is survived by her brother, Donal Jolley of Rimforest, Calif.; sister, Venus Marriage of Carson City; sons, Don (Jean) Kesterson of Henderson and Roger (JoAnn) Kesterson of Mountain View, Wyo.; seven grandchildren, Brock (Melissa) Kesterson, Kyle Kesterson, Desiree (Barry) Sorenson, Corissa Kesterson, Whittney Kesterson, Brenden Kesterson, Kelton Kesterson; seven great-grandchildren, Ethan Kesterson, Derrick Kesterson, Mason Kesterson, Eliza Kesterson, Drake Kesterson; and great-grandchildren, Ashlynn Sorenson, and Hudson Sorenson. Lorna was preceded in death by her parents, Donal and Nora Jolley; husband, Robert Kesterson; and sons, Ross Kesterson and Jim Kesterson. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Cholla Street Chapel. 303 Cholla St., Henderson. The viewings will be 3-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, and 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Cholla St. Chapel, Henderson. Internment will be at 9:20 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd., Boulder City.

Published in Las Vegas Review-Journal from January 18 to January 19, 2012