Obituary: Hester, Sarah Jean
USAF LTC January 7, 1944 - February 26, 2015 “IN THE HANDS OF GOD” Sarah J. Hester passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on February 26, 2015, following a short battle with cancer.
Her loving sister, who will miss her tremendously, was by her side.
Sarah was born to John Houston Hester and Roseanna (Birdwell) Hester on January 7, 1944.
She joined a sister Roseanna Mae, who was fifteen months older She had a wonderful childhood where her family was actively involved in the Thornton, WA community, especially the church.
Her dad was a small farmer.
Her parents instilled Christian values in their children.
Sarah graduated from Thornton Grade School in 1958, in a class of six and then she graduated from Rosalia High School in 1962, in a class of thirty - one.
Sarah always valued and was grateful for her childhood upbringing.
After high school she attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA where she graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Sarah always had a patriotic spirit and she wanted to serve her country.
She joined the Army Nurse Corps and served four years.
Her assignments included tours at Ft. Gordon, GA; Landstuhl, Germany; and Da Nang, Vietnam.
Returning to civilian nursing in 1970, she worked in Seattle, WA and also attended Lutheran Bible Institute, Seattle, for a year.
Missing military nursing, she joined the Air Force Nurse Corps in 1973.
Her assignments included Lackland AFB, TX; Scott AFB, IL as a flight nurse; University of Washington, Seattle, for a Masters in Nursing; recruiting nurses in Oakland, CA; and back to the hospital at Offutt AFB, NE.
Then it was overseas to Lakenheath AFB, England for three years.
Her beloved father passed away suddenly at the end of her tour there in 1987.
He was her cheerleader in life.
While in England her parents traveled to see her, then the three flew to Pakistan where her sister, Roseanna, was working in a mission hospital since 1976.
It was an especially memorable trip.
It was back to Lackland AFB, TX and then her final assignment at Fairchild AFB, WA.
Full circle!
Sarah retired from the Air Force in 1995 as a Lt. Col, having gladly and honorably served four years in the Army and twenty-two years in the USAF.
She immediately started working as a Federal Occupational Health Nurse at the U.S, Court- house in downtown Spokane where she worked until 2003.
She then helped care for her dear mother who passed away in 2008.
Sarah loved nature, God’s creation, the beauty of trees, mountains, animals (her cat) as it made her feel close to God.
She enjoyed early morning walks in the fresh air.
Two of her favorite destinations were Glacier National Park and The Grand Teton National Park.
She loved her country…in the third grade she wrote a poem called “The Flag”, (‘The flag it is so beautiful, its stripes of red and white, with all the stars of liberty, it waves from ‘morn till night; it makes the country proud of it, of it we must take care, for Christ the Lord is watching, to keep it safely there’).
She was grateful to God for His love, protection and guidance throughout her life and looked forward to the “eternal life” He gives to all who believe.
She is survived by her sister Roseanna, and numerous cousins.
She was a member of Christ The Redeemer Church, 1523 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA.
Services will be held there on March 7, at 11am, with a reception to follow.
Graveside Services will be held at Thornton Cemetery, with full Military Honors, at 2:30 pm, on Saturday.
Memorials in her honor may be given to Christ The Redeemer Church.
Her legacy of faith in Jesus Christ lives on.
Schanzenbach Funeral Home, Rosalia, WA