Rita Lee Kesterman

Devoted to her husband and family, Rita Lee Kesterman, beloved wife and best friend of Robert A. Kesterman for 38 years, she passed away peacefully September 22, 2015 at Danish Care Center in Atascadero, CA. She was 81. Rita was born in May 20, 1934 in Gewrie, Webster County, Iowa. She married Earl Van Fleet and together they had four children. Rita is predeceased by her husband, Robert A. Kesterman, mother, Dorothy (Amsden) Robinson, father, Forrest Robinson, and brother, Fred Robinson. Rita was a woman who was known as a wonderful grandma, hard working and a wonderful laugh. Rita worked at Vons in Atascadero and Morro Bay until she retired. She loved to garden and her yard was continually in bloom. In the early 70's Rita and her husband Robert (Bob) moved to Atascadero from Torrance, California and purchased a fixer-upper. Just a few short years later they won the award for "Atascadero's Beautiful Home". They installed a pool in that backyard where they enjoyed backyard BBQ's and family time with their children and grandchildren. In their later years, after enjoying living next door to family in Oregon, Bob and Rita moved to Paso Robles. Again, they chose a house that needed lots of work. People would stop on the street just to tell them what a beautiful yard they had. Several years ago Rita was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Bob took care of her at home until his step-children insisted it was time to take her to a nursing home. Bob drove to the care home everyday to be at her side to comfort her and himself. His plan was to watch over her until her death, but those plans changed when he was diagnosed with cancer and he was given less than two months to live. They were placed together in the same care home where they could be together and they enjoyed each other's company from the time Bob would wake up and get dressed and throughout much of the day. The day before Bob passed a loved one gently placed him in a wheelchair and brought his lovely wife into his room, with what little strength he had left, he smiled at her and waved good-bye. Rita is survived by so many who loved her, her four children Earl Van Fleet of Cayucos, CA, Doree Elam (Dan) of Atascadero, Jim Van Fleet (Renee) of Torrance, CA, Wally Van Fleet of Paso Robles, CA, seven grand-children, Shane Skolil of Maui, Hawaii, Brianna Donovan (Josh) of Atascadero, Garrett Van Fleet (Lindsay) of San Miguel, CA, Bryan Van Fleet (Tara) of Atascadero, CA, Bronson Van Fleet of Paso Robles, CA, Samantha Van Fleet of Paso Robles, CA, Stephanie Van Fleet of Torrance, CA, and four great-grand children, sister Pauline Garman (Albert) of Grants Pass, OR, step sister, Barbara Howe of Auburn, CA, nieces and nephews, Cheryl Andrade (Andy) of Grants Pass, OR, Sandra Boriack of Templeton, CA and Jody Barvick of Sierra Vista, AZ Services will be held Monday, October 12th at 10AM at Pine Mountain Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Atascadero, CA. A reception will take place at the home of Dan and Doree Elam immediately following, Atascadero, CA 93422