Esther A. Bastien

Esther A. Bastien

May 8, 1930 – October 31, 2025

Esther A. Bastien passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 31, 2025, in the comfortable and cozy home she had lovingly lived in for the past 66 years. She was 95.

Born in Hosmer, South Dakota, Esther was the youngest of eight children to Fredrick and Fredricka Mohr. Growing up with six brothers and one sister, she developed a resilient spirit and a deep appreciation for family.

After graduating high school, Esther began teaching a small group of students across grades 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 - a testament to her intelligence, adaptability, and early dedication to nurturing others. As the Korean war intensified, she moved to San Francisco to join her sister, who had left Hosmer two years earlier. There, Esther found work supporting Overseas Purchasing for the PAX, contributing to the war effort with quiet determination.

It was in San Francisco on a blind date that she met the love of her life, Navy seaman Ernie Bastien Jr. They married just three days after meeting - a bold and beautiful beginning to a lifelong partnership. Together, they raised three children: Ernest III, Holly, and Lacy. Esther is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Esther was a kind, intelligent, and resourceful mother. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and neighbors. Fair, determined, and sometimes stubborn, she lived by the Golden Rule and extended love to all. Her legacy is one of warmth, strength, and unwavering devotion.

Graveside services at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery are pending.