Our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Joan Marie Adkison Sather, passed away on Jan. 6, 2023 at home with her family by her side at the age of 88.
Joan, a longtime Hermiston resident, was born on May 30, 1934 in Yakima, Wash. to Verylee Garrison and Arthur Adkison.
She spent most of her childhood on a hop farm in Tampico, Wash. with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Garrison. Joan graduated from Yakima High School and then enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps. Joan was stationed at Fort Lee, Va., Fort McClellan, Ala., Fort Lawton, Wash. and Camp Zama, Japan. After her military service, she continued to work for the Federal Civil Service; attended Evergreen State College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree; and then retired from the Army Corp of Engineers as an administrative assistant to the superintendent of McNary Dam in Umatilla.
While at Camp Zama, Japan, she met the love of her life, Alvin L. Sather. The two were married on March 30, 1956.
Joan enjoyed many activities, such as spending time with family, yard sales with Al, gardening, genealogy and playing cards. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Kennewick chapter) and Women’s Army Corps (Evergreen chapter). Most of all, she loved her family. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
She was the beloved mother to five children, Jodi (Robert) Desjardins, Litchfield Park, Ariz., William (Lori) Sather, Hermiston, Kristi (Russell) Bartley, Hermiston, Lauri (Fritz) Stubenrauch, Bay City, and Shari (Alan) Humphrey III, Hermiston. Joan had eight grandchildren, Ryan (Angela) Desjardins, Matthew (Angela) Desjardins, Brooke (Travis) Steidl, Mariah Sather, Curtis (Narci) Bartley, Jessica (AJ) Almaguer, Alan Humphrey IV and Amanda (Brandon) Meeks; 15 great grandchildren; brother, Jack (Jennifer) Zaccardo of Forks, Wash.; and numerous other relatives, all of whom she loved and touched deeply.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Alvin.
The day for a celebration of Joan’s life is still to be determined.
Please share memories of Joan with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
