Kenneth Eugene Kerstetter

Kenneth Eugene Kerstetter was born in Centralia, Washington on April 21, 1937 to Mary and Dexter Kerstetter. After graduating from Centralia High School in 1955, he went on to college, and later, served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960. It was while in the Army that he met Claudette Byers of Kansas City, Missouri, who would become his wife for the next 56 years.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Kenneth resumed his college studies, graduating magna cum laude from Western Washington University in 1962 with a Bachelor's degree, and then going on to complete his Master's degree at Western in 1965. During this time he began his career in education as a teacher at Olympia High School, where he taught for 31 years, from 1962 to 1993. While at OHS, he served as the English Department chairman for 25 years and the Foreign Language Department chairman for five years. He was twice nominated for the State teacher of the year and designed a curriculum for teaching high school English that received national attention and was used at OHS for twenty years.

After retiring from teaching, Kenneth worked for 13 years as a counselor and administrator at the Touchstone Community Facility, a group home for incarcerated juvenile males. During his years at Touchtone he showed love and offered help to all those he worked with. The lives of many youth were changed for the better and several continued to keep in touch with him even after their release.

Throughout his life, Kenneth was a beloved teacher to many. While serving in the Army, he taught a Sunday School class of elementary-aged children. Later, he taught a high school Sunday School class and worked in the youth program at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Olympia. For nearly 50 years, he continually taught classes at the church to people of all ages, from junior high aged children to senior citizens. In addition, he also served many years as an Elder in the church and in several other capacities such as church moderator, Christian Education chairman, and Elder Board chairman.

In 1955, while a Senior in high school, Kenneth made a decision to believe in Jesus Christ and to accept God's free gift of eternal life. On October 25, 2016, Kenneth went home to be with his Savior and Lord. He is survived by his wife Claudette; his son Derek and daughter-in law Mardi; his daughter Diana and son-in-law Tim; and his six grandchildren: Samantha, Allison, Emily, Olivia, Jacob, and Megan.

Words cannot possibly capture the entirety of who Kenneth Eugene Kerstetter was, nor can any description adequately express the joy that came from his presence and the loss now felt in his absence. Throughout his life, Kenneth lived the virtues he taught: compassion, integrity, perseverance, and love. He was an extraordinary husband, father, teacher, counselor, mentor, and friend. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service with reception following is planned for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship in Olympia. The church is located at 2508 State Avenue NE, Olympia, WA 98506.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.