Tamela Lee Lester-Kieninger, 59, was born August 31, 1957 in Rapid City, SD to Gary and Rose (O’Rourke) Lester. Tamela attended school in the Rapid City area and graduated from Steven’s High School in 1976 in Rapid City, SD. After graduation, Tamela then went onto college at Western Dakota Tech in Rapid City and worked at various places throughout her life in the Rapid City area.

Tamela loves spending time with her family and enjoyed activities with her grandchildren. Tamela would take her grandchildren hiking, swimming, and camping throughout the Black Hills and spent countless hours enjoying their company on their outdoor adventures. Tamela enjoyed watching ballets, listening to blues music, and doing all sorts of arts and crafts. Tamela’s grandchildren enjoy all of the art their grandmother has created over the years, and enjoy the art still today. Family was very important to Tamela. She made sure all of her children and a grandchild were taken care of and was a devoted mother and grandmother to them all and she will be deeply missed.

Tamela is survived by her father, Gary Lester of Rapid City, SD; son, Joseph Robert Kieninger of Rapid City, SD; daughter, Vanessa Eve Lester of Rapid City, SD; brother, Craig Lester of Rapid City, SD; sisters, Monica Whirlwind horse of Manderson, SD, Rena Lester and Dahna Allard both of Rapid City, SD; and grandchildren, Reyna Lester, Fernando Acuna, Alex Hawkins, Tyler Vickerman, and Beau Vickerman all of Rapid City, SD.

Tamela was preceded in death by her mother, Rose (O’Rourke) Lester.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 18, from 5-7 pm at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home with vigil services starting at 7 pm. Funeral services will be Monday, June 19, at 10 am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Arrangements are in the care of Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home.