Esther M. LANCASTER

06/27/1918 - 12/20/2014

LANCASTER, Esther M. (Age 96) Esther "Sunnie" Lancaster was born June 27, 1918, in Spokane to Einar O. Fieldstad and Anna M. Arntzen Fieldstad, both emigrants from Norway. She joined her family at their home at 29th and Perry. Later the family built a homestead on Bowdish where she attended Opportunity Grade School, West Valley High School and then obtained a B.S. from the University of Washington with degrees in Botany and Biology. Esther completed a Master's Degree at Fort Wright College in General Science. As a young person she worked as a cook at Spokane Ski Lodge, Postell Produce as a clerk, and Boeing Aircraft as production illustrator where Esther met her husband Bill R. Lancaster. They were married at the Denny Park Lutheran Church in Seattle on June 19, 1943. After the end of WWII they moved to Spokane. Sunnie worked at the Finch Arboretum as Acting Director and Spokane Parks Department naturalist. She then became a school teacher. She taught at Libby Junior High, North Central High, Continuation High School and University High School. Before retiring, she spent one year as a professor at Whitworth College. Her hobbies included outdoor recreation, skiing, traveling and doll collecting. Sunnie loved reading and writing on subjects such as Indian lore, natural science, anthropology, survival and Bible study. She was a lifelong member of the Spokane Falls Doll Club, and Beach Combers Garden Club of Liberty Lake, where her family has resided since 1956. Sunnie passed away at the Good Samaritan in Spokane Valley on December 20, 2014. Sunnie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, sister Lillian Sorenson and brother Norman Fieldstad. She is survived by her son Gary (Gail) R. Lancaster; three grandchildren, Paula (Pete) Lupi, Amy (Michael) Jeske, and Bret R. Lancaster; great-grandchildren Tabitha, Cody, Garrett Lupi and Ian Jeske, and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you goes to the staff of the Good Samaritan of Spokane Valley where she resided the last few years of her life. The funeral service is scheduled Monday, December 29, 2014, 1:00pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Road, Spokane Valley, WA, for close friends and relatives with burial to follow. There will be a memorial service at the Good Samaritan Community Center at a later date when weather permits travel for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Good Samaritan or the Dishman Hills Conservancy.