Frances Lester

Frances Lester, 93, longtime Moses Lake resident died Sunday January 1, 2017 in Columbia Crest Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her beloved family. Frances was born December 10, 1923 in Prosser, WA to Frank and Falisatia Gress, the 5th child out of 7 siblings. Frances grew up in Prosser, WA and then moved to Spokane to attend beauty school, living with her sister Barbara and husband Ernie. Following beauty school she returned to Prosser to care for her mother. She attended a Saturday night dance where she met a young Navy guy, Allen Clark Lester, who soon became her husband. They settled in Prosser having two sons Gerry and John. The young family then moved to Moses Lake in 1954 and had their 3rd child, Michele. Fran was a stay at home Mom where she honed her cooking and baking skills, becoming an extraordinary domestic goddess. When Michele started high school, she decided it was time to enter the workforce and worked at Carnation Inc from 1970 - 1987. She was a devout Catholic and member of Our Lady of Fatima where she was involved in the Altar Society and other ministries until she was unable to get out and about. Mom and Dad loved the outdoors and enjoyed many camping trips to the mountains and lakes throughout Washington with her children and grandkids. Many family trips were driven to Georgia over the years to visit family. Frances was loved and cherished by all of her grandchildren (10) and great grandchildren (14), she loved teasing them as much as they loved teasing her. She was mom to many and loved by all. If you remember only a few things about our mom, we hope it would be that she was a very faithful woman, didn't leave her room without her hair done, lipstick and pearls on, and always a smile on her face. Frances is survived by her son John (Marion) Lester and Michele (Lind) Bingham all of Moses Lake, grandchildren Jim (Cheryl), Sam (Hilary), Becky (Josh), Laura, Heather, Lee, Julio, Ryan (Cristie), Lindsey (Gilbert), and 14 great-grandchildren. Frances was preceded in death by her parents Frank & Falisatia Gress, brothers Dan, John, Eugene; sisters Barbara, Cecilia, Clementine, and Teresa; her husband Allen and son Gerald Lester. The family would like to thank all those that cared for our mom over the past few years when she was unable to live on her own. A special thank you to the nurses and doctors taking care of her at the hospital the last week and a huge thank you to the aides, nurses and all the workers at Columbia Crest. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. with the Memorial Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday January 6, 2017 in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 200 N. Dale Road, Moses Lake. Interment will immediately follow the Mass in the church columbarium. You are invited to join the family for a luncheon provided in the Fatima Center (CCD Center) adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers a donation to Our Lady of Fatima building fund would be her wish.

Frances Lester

December 10, 1923 - January 1, 2017