Judith Mary Pallett Kaestner

Judith Mary Pallett Kaestner, wife of the Reverend James Kaestner, passed away at Angel’s Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI on August 26, 2019 at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family.

Judith was born in Waukesha, WI on August 19, 1935 and grew up in Watertown and Oconomowoc. She graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1953 and received her bachelor’s degree from Ripon College in 1957 and her Masters Degree in Education from UW- Milwaukee in 1978. She worked at the Dixon State School in Dixon, IL from 1957-1958 and Wisconsin Power and Electric in Milwaukee from 1958 to 1960. She later worked for Racine Unified School District as a middle school guidance counselor from 1978-1998.

She had a lifetime focus on children, especially those who are underserved. She founded a children’s theater group and wrote and performed plays for school children. She loved music and singing in the church choir and community chorus. She loved to travel and explored both the US and Europe, especially Great Britain and Norway.

She also enjoyed sewing and painting- 20 years ago she discovered her calling as an iconographer, studying and painting icons including travel to Russia visiting churches and monasteries. She received many commissions to paint icons that now hang in churches and homes throughout the world. She was a highly sought-after teacher for those wanting to learn how to paint icons and taught classes in her home studio.

In 1979 she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and battled it to the end.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Harry and Ruth Pallett, and her brother, David Pallett. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, the Reverend James Kaestner of Oconomowoc, and her children, Mary Kaestner Marcus of Madison,

Andrew (Jeanine) Kaestner of Racine, and Peter (Ethel) Kaestner of Westmont, IL and grandchildren Maxwell Marcus, Will Marcus, Lucy Marcus, Ryan Kaestner, Joshua Kaestner, Lily Kaestner and Luke Kaestner.

The visitation will be held at Zion Episcopal Church, 237 North Lake Road, Oconomowoc, WI from 9-10:30 am on Saturday, August 31, 2019. A burial of Christian mass will begin at 10:30 am. A luncheon will take place at the church following the service. A private burial will be held at Nashotah House cemetery for family only.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Zion Episcopal Church, 237 North Lake Road, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society- Wisconsin Chapter 1120 James Dr, Suite A, Hartland, WI 53029