Dale W. Kesterson

Dale Kesterson, 94, passed away peacefully at the Bent County Healthcare Center in Las Animas on September 17, 2022. Dale was born April 27, 1928, at the Kesterson family farm 6 miles southeast of Fowler, Colorado to Roy and Dorothy Kesterson.

He attended Elder (Number 6) grade school, and Fowler High School from 1944 to 1948. He assisted with the operation of the family farm until November 1953, raising crops and livestock.

In December of 1953, Dale began service in the U.S. Army. He was a Military Policeman, and his service ended in December 1955 with an honorable discharge. He was then employed by Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on a seismograph crew in 1956 and 1957, where he assisted with research in Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming.

Dale attended Colorado State University from September 1957 - May 1961, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy. He entered into the employment of Colorado State University Extension Service in the spring of 1961. This took him to Adams County during the summer of 1961 and Delta County until July 1963. Dale then accepted a position in Bent County (Las Animas) as the County Agent and continued employment there until retirement in 1988. He was also an active member of the Bent County Sheriff's Posse Search and Rescue group for 20 years.

After his retirement, Dale and his wife Teresa enjoyed assisting with the organization of the Bent’s Fort Chapter of the National Santa Fe Trail Association. They enjoyed traveling the trail from Larned, Kansas to Santa Fe, New Mexico and visiting various historic sites in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

Dale leaves behind two daughters, Lori Blasberg and Shelly (Paul) Presley, two grandsons, Curtis (Kelsey) Blasberg and Ryan Blasberg, and their father Michael Blasberg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Teresa (Walen) Kesterson, and his brother Dick Kesterson.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Las Animas, with Reverend Steve Hicks officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fowler Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.