Leslie Edward Kesti

Leslie Edward Kesti, "Kayo", 82, a lifelong Esko resident, died February 7, 2013 with his family at his side in Solvay Hospice House, Duluth. Kayo was born in 1930 at his parents' dairy farm in Cloquet. He was the youngest of nine children born to Hannus and Ida Kesti. Kayo was baptized and confirmed at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko. Due to his attending Sunday school and confirmation classes, he learned to read and to write in Finnish. Educated in the Esko Public Schools, Kayo was fluent in both Finnish and English upon entering the first grade. His teacher requested he interpret for her on behalf of his nine classmates who only spoke Finnish. From the ninth to 12th grades, Kayo was a member of FFA and was elected as FFA Minnesota District 8 President and also served as FFA Minnesota State Vice President. Kayo married Dorothy "Pixie" Stoikjovich of Duluth on September 6, 1952. Shortly after their marriage, they became members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Esko. They resided in Esko where they raised their three children, Julie, Scott, and Susan. He joined the Army National Guard in 1947 and served for 22 years, including two years of active duty, with a service rank of captain and commanding Battery A, Second Battalion, 125th Artillery, 47th Division, Minnesota National Guard. Kayo was an electrician and began his work at Thompson Electric in Cloquet. He later worked in Duluth at the former Low Bidder Electric and retired in 1990 with 27 years of service at the former Lakehead Electric in Duluth. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 242 and received his pin for 60 years of service in September 2012. He served with the Esko Volunteer Fire Department from 1964 - 1982, including the position of assistant fire chief. Kayo was a member of Esko Historical Society and delivered Meals On Wheels, following his retirement in 1990. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, George, Elna Korby, Ben, Sylvia Kraushaar, Matt, and Astrid Culliton; and a grandson, Jake Kesti. Kayo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pixie, of Esko; daughters, Julie Kesti of Esko and Susan Kesti of Durham, NC; son, Scott (Diane) of Hermantown; four grandchildren, Alex, Laura, Taylor and Paige; sister, Ruth Koski of Cloquet and his nieces and nephews. The family gratefully thanks the staff of Essentia Health Hospice and Solvay Hospice House for their exceptional care of Kayo. Private family services were held.