Jester, Joseph 97, of Santa Rosa, CA, passed away peacefully in his son's home in El Dorado Hills, CA on the evening of October 6, 2020. Born to parents Roscoe Thurmond Jester and Bessie D. McKahin, Joe was a graduate of Moline High School in Moline, Illinois, and Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He is survived by sons Lee and Daniel (Vicki), daughters Wendy and Catherine (Bob), grandchildren Caleb, Brett, Whit, Carolyn, Cristine, Joe, and Jamie, and great-grand-children Rio and Zephyr. A veteran of World War II, Joe served in the Navy in the Philippines where, as Lieutenant JG, he was officer in charge of the LC 1210. After the war, Joe married Mary Dale Childs, his beloved wife for 71 years, and began work at Honeywell, Inc. where he worked for 40 years and retired as Vice President. A longtime resident of Wayzata, Joe was happiest during his years spent living on Lake Minnetonka, fishing, sailing, or just sitting on the deck smoking a cigar. He loved his family with a quiet devotion that we will never forget. Family members plan to travel to Minnesota this summer to honor Joe's request that his ashes be laid to rest, together with the ashes of Mary Dale Jester, at St. Martin's by-the-lake Episcopal Church in Minnetonka Beach.

Published on February 21, 2021