To the friends of Ms. Hostetter.  I am very sorry for your loss.  I did not know her but happened to passing through on I80 and was a witness at the accident.  Your words and the pictures of her life indicate she was a wonderful, loving person.  Her accidental death has touched me too as a reminder to love my family even more and cherish each day we have together.  Thank you Kersten.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I am sorry for all of us who have lost a true entrepreneur and believer in microenterprise.  Bless you all.

I am so very sorry to hear about Kersten's passing.  I had the pleasure of working with her the last couple of years.  I will forever remember her smile, her laugh, and her devotion to her family.  She spoke of you often with pride and so much love her eyes would well with tears.  God bless you and give you strength to deal with her loss.  Kersten will be missed by many!

I was so sorry to learn of Kersten's death.  I know this is an especially difficult time for her family.  My deepest condolences to them as they struggle to understand this terrible loss and move forward in trying to honor Kersten's memory.

Dear Tom and Gavin,
I was lucky enough to get to know Kersten through out work in microenterprise at WWBIC in Milwaukee. My heart goes out to you for your loss, our loss, but I hope you know that her enthusiasm and passion for our work helped elevate the field to a new level-her contribution allows us to keep touching lives everyday in a positive way.
My prayers are with you all.
Take care,
Karen

Kersten has been one of the most important people in my life this past year while working together!  As her business client, she believed in me and what my company is trying to accomplish, and she worked to create our message in ways I never could. I admired her and relied on her experience and her wisdom…..a true professional with heart. She was remarkable, and this world won’t be the same without her contribution. Kersten was a true believer and had so much more to give. I’m just devastated for her loss and for all those who know her. She’ll be more than missed!

My deepest condolences to all of Kersten’s family and friends, I join you in the unimaginable grief:

Devoted wife, proud mother, passionate political junkie, innovator in microenterprise, caring daughter, tireless advocate of those who had less opportunity, lover of a good laugh, visionary leader, courageous survivor, generous human being, and a true friend…

Dear Thom, Gavin and family,

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Though we've never met, I feel like I know a little about many of you, especially Thom and Gavin. You could always hear the smile in Kersten's voice when she spoke of her guys.  Thom, it was clear you two shared a very special relationship, and Gavin, I'm sure you know how very proud your mom was of you. You are blessed to have had such an amazing woman as wife and mother. May the many memories you created together give you strength and comfort.

I knew Kersten for many years. We were first colleagues, then friends and business partners.  Over the years I developed such respect and admiration for her.  She was a model of strength, courage and grace.  I am personally so grateful to her for being a friend and support to me during some particularly diffucult times. I don't know if she ever realized the extent to which she touched my life and the life of others. I will miss her very much.

May God's peace and comfort fill and surround you.

With love and sympathy,

To Thom, Gavin, and the Hostetter-Muenzberg family, you are all in our prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

May the coming days be filled with fond memories of this beautiful woman who touched so many lives, and whose work will live on in the success of those she guided. Kersten will truly be missed.

With sympathy and love.

Dear Thom, Gavin and Kersten's family,

I wish you much love and many hugs as you come to terms with this tragic loss.  Kersten touched so many lives with love and compassion and bravery including mine.  She was a very special and unique woman whose courage and vision benefited so many in her work and her friendships.  I know Kersten primarily through work and I remember her always being awake and chatting no matter the time of day or night.  She always had a story to tell or an idea to be considered.  She has made an indelible mark on the world and my life.  She was brave in love, brave in thought, brave in action.  

I wish you all that same bravery as we all carry on and try to make sense of this.  There is a big hole where her presence was.  Her legacy of courage lives on, and I miss her.

Much love again to all the family.

Dear Thom, Gavin and the extended Hostetter-Muenzberg family,
I extend my deepest condolences for your profound loss. Kersten brightened the lives of all those she touched with her positive energy and indomitable spirit. She was a bright flame suddenly extinguished but her luminescence will remain with us forever.

To Thom and Gavin - Kersten's Dad and Mom - her brother and his lovely family and all our many friends in the industry of microcredit --- that Kersten loved so much - I share a few comments.   Kersten was my true friend.  We became friends via our mutual work and vocation and would never tire of talking about it either.  I told her she was my only girl friend - she would laugh...but I sort of meant it - or at least my special one.  I never thought this would be and realize we are all hurting so - thus I send hugs for those I have met through Kersten and acknowledgements to those I know about through Kersten - but have not met yet..like her father.  I will be with you all in spirit on Sunday and plan on visiting Thom and Gavin this summer for some time together.  My love to all of you in the greatest of love of and for Kersten and all she was to us all.  Wendy Baumann (Kersten's girfriend)

My deepest sympathies on the tragic death of Kersten. May all the good of her life live on with her son and family.

To all Kersten's family, I am so very sorry for your loss.  Kersten talked so often and so lovingly about all of you.  And I've never met a prouder mother.  She always lit up whenever she talked about Gavin.  I am so sorry and I am thinking of you all and praying for you.

Dear Gavin, Tom, and your whole family,
Jenn, the boys and I are thinking of you every moment - hoping you are able to find some peace and some hope and eventually some respite, through all of this.  You are surviving a remarkable woman whose legacy will supply you, forever, with the most amazing strength, joy, and love.

Kersten made the world a better place with her advocacy and hard work on behalf of those less fortunate.  Please accept my condolences and prayers.  Kersten will be sorely missed.

Dearest Jan and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of  your sudden and tragic loss of Kersten.  In her roles as a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, friend, and champion of many who needed a strong voice to speak for them, she will be sorely missed. I can't imagine the depth of your grief. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. 
Linda and Skip Wiggs

Tom and I would like to offer our deepest sympathy for the sudden loss of Kersten.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you now and forever as you journey through grief.May God hold your whole family in His loving arms.  Tom and Paulette Joswick

To all of Kersten's family, I send my deepest sympathies. I have kept up with Kersten over the years through her Mom, my friend, Jan, and I know the world has lost a wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Ellen Maresh

I am so sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts. This is such a huge loss for the woman's movement, Kersten was a steadfast leader and supporter of women's leadership, she will be missed more than she knows.

To all the family.... we are so sorry for the loss of your dear Kersten. May the Lord bless you in your time of grief.  Warm regards, Linda and Ted Blank

OBITUARY

Kersten Marie Hostetter

3 October, 1967 – 30 June, 2011

Olinger Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery - Chapel Hill

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