Esther Cruz

July 28, 1926 – December 10, 2022

Mrs. Esther Cruz (nee Cerna), a strong and loving wife and mother who devoted her life to family and friends, died peacefully in Othello, Washington on Dec. 10, 2022, with loved ones at her side. At the age of 96, Esther, who has been preceded in death by her husband Fausto and daughter Mary, is survived by sons John, and his wife Carol, Daniel, and his wife Kathy, Joe and his wife Peggy, and Richard, along with dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss her cheerful smile, hearty cooking, joyful laughter and sincere kindness.

Esther was the youngest of 13 siblings, born to Tomás and Felicitas Cerna on July 28, 1926, in Minitare, Nebraska. She and Fausto were married in 1946 in Pasco, Washington and raised their family in various towns in central Washington. In the Moses Lake area, the Cruzes settled into the farming community, saw their daughter and boys marry and have their own kids, frequented wrestling matches and baseball games and maintained a garden large enough to sell truckloads of corn, beans, and raspberries at the farmers market. In addition to being a regular parishioner at Our Lady of Fatima, Esther was a friendly face behind the grocery deli counter for many years and an active volunteer at the senior center. Going into town with “Grandma Esther” was sure to involve numerous spontaneous conversations with people passing in the aisles, as she was well-known and respected by many.

Esther was warm and outgoing, and generous with the gifts of hearth and home. A dearest wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, she will likely be remembered most for her devotion to family, including her and Fausto’s extended families. She will be admired for her ability to plan ahead for very large meals, hospitality and warm welcome for friends of the family and commitment to the work that went into bringing the family together regularly. She taught family members her favorite cooking techniques and recipes, and was more than once asked to help rescue a meal over the phone. “Grandma Esther” was skilled and efficient at everything that needed to be done at home, as well as patient and good-natured when teaching hijos/as to pick from the garden, turn out tortillas that were round (or not) and make a silky smooth mole. She loved card games with her grandchildren, somehow always winning, and was there to share a boozy drink when those kids got older.

Esther’s family wishes to thank the community members for their fellowship and sympathies, inviting all those who wish to partake in remembrances to join them on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. There will be a viewing at 8:30 a.m. at Kayser’s Chapel of Memories, followed by praying of the Rosary at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and a special Mass at 11 a.m. Afterward, the burial service will be at Pioneer Memorial Garden at 12:15 p.m. Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.