In Loving Memory

Barbara Lois Chester

Barbara Lois Chester, age 88, passed away in Colville, Washington on the afternoon of December 28, 2021.  Barbara was born in Ontario, Oregon to Charles and Athena (Miller) Walter on July 9, 1933.

Barbara spent the majority of her childhood being raised in Ontario, OR with her siblings, Lorna and John, before the family would relocate to Colville just before her senior year of high school.  After graduating from Colville High School Barbara enrolled in Telegraphy School. Due to a personal recommendation from one of her instructors she obtained a job on a railroad in Montana.  Barbara would soon be wed and moved with her young family to Illinois. Her employment included working at the Sta-Rite hairpin factory and as a waitress. Following the end of the marriage Barbara would return to the Addy area of Washington with her five children and continue her career in food service in restaurants in Colville.

It was in Colville that she would meet the love of her life, Ed Chester, and the two would be wed in 1967. Barbara and Ed would spend many evenings dancing to country music or at the rodeos where Ed was a team roper.  Barbara would continue to work at various restaurants in Colville, including Newland's Café and The Red Bull.  Her skills as a cook resulted in a job offer as a cook for the Stevens County Jail.  She took great pride in her work at the jail, and the employees and trustees had a great deal of respect for her.

Barbara loved to host big family dinners, having her family over as often as possible to cook for them.  Christmas was Barbara's big holiday, and she loved to make her special recipes, including stuffing, jerky and baked goods; recipes that have now been entrusted to the next generations. She was extremely proud of her garden, especially her roses. She especially enjoyed cheering on her grandchildren and great grandchildren at their baseball and softball games.

After Ed's passing in 2000 and Barbara's retirement, she would relocate to Wenatchee to be closer to her son and daughters.  Every Halloween, Barbara would fill hundreds of goodie bags with candy and toys to hand out to the neighborhood children.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Chester, her parents, Charles and Athena Walter, her siblings, Charles (Sonny) Walter, Lorna Hanna and John Walter, and her stepson, Bob Chester.

She is survived by her daughters, Naomi (Randy) Riggins, Sherry (Randy) Rose, Susan (Jeff) Ramshaw, and Charla Spears Flamond; her son, John Spears; stepdaughters Linda Cole, Debbie (Dean) Westerman, and Kathy (Randy)Thain; 23 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service honoring Barbara will be announced next spring.  Please visit the online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with her care.