Kirsten Kjera, 86 of Hardinsburg, KY, passed away on August 20, 2025 at Breckinridge Memorial Hospital Extended Care Facility. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 7, 1939 to the late Edmar Kjera and Harriett Hopkins.
Talented, cultured, distinguished and witty are a few words that can be used to describe Kirsten. Her family relocated many times during her childhood years due to her fathers work. She lived in Louisville, Minneapolis, Minnesota and then to Long Island, New York after college where she taught French and Spanish. While living in New York, she discovered her love of art. Kirsten saw a painting that she fell in love with but could not afford to buy. So, she decided to paint it herself. She gathered leftover paints and canvas from her previous boyfriend at the time, and as they say, the rest is history! Kirsten discovered her love for painting and found it very therapeutic. She has painted many types of pictures from self-portraits to outdoor sceneries, animals and portraits of how she saw the world.
Kirsten shared her many pieces of art with the residents, staff and visitors at Breckinridge Memorial Nursing Facility which she considered to be her home. Many of her pieces of art have been on display for all to enjoy.
The staff and all those associated with the Extended Care Facility became family to Kirsten. She loved them all and felt their love in return.
Kirsten is survived by her nephew, Kevin Hoock (Dian) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
She was very much loved by her extended family, Jeff and Lisa Hubbard, Gail Perkins, Sherry and Jim Esposito and Hilda Taul
In keeping with her wishes, cremation was chosen by the family.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Breckinridge County Animal Shelter in her honor.
Trent-Dowell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements