Sarah Shizuka Esslinger July 04, 1927 – February 16, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Sarah Shizuka Esslinger passed away peacefully on February 16, 2019 in Olympia, WA with family by her side. She was born on July 4, 1927 to Toyojiro and Sakayo Maeda in Hilo, Hawaii. Sarah moved to the mainland after marrying James R. Esslinger on December 9, 1957 who she met while working in a small cafe in Honolulu where James was stationed in the Army at Schoefield Barracks.
Sarah had seven children previously, and then had five more children with James. As a military wife, Sarah had lived at Army bases in Kansas, California, Alaska, and then the last being in Washington where James was stationed at Fort Lewis. They settled down in Olympia where they raised their family.
Sarah earned her nursing degree in 1974, and started her nursing career at St. Peter Hospital. She then worked at Panarama City Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center where she retired in 1996. Sadly, her husband James passed away in January of 1997.
Sarah remained in Olympia to be near her children and grandchildren. Sarah loved to sew and also crocheted afghans. She loved to bake, and her children always looked forward to her fruitcake and cookies over the holidays, as well as her wonderful homemade birthday cakes and frosting.
Her cooking was amazing, ranging from Japanese to American and German dishes. She was a huge Mariner’s fan and enjoyed attending their games at the Kingdome. Sarah also loved the Seattle SuperSonics and made sure she was at the airport upon the team’s arrival after winning the NBA Championship in 1979.
Her other interests included Bingo, gardening and jigsaw puzzles as well as collecting clowns. Some of her favorite music artists included Don Ho, The Eagles, Bob Seger and Air Supply. Sarah is survived by brothers Donald “Mitsuru” Maeda (Hawaii) and Richard “Taiga” Maeda (Hawaii) and sisters Iris “Fujie” Oda (Hawaii), Itoe Helliangao (Hawaii), and Shimae Leilani Maeda (California).
She was preceded in death by her sister Margie “Rieko” Sumitani (Hawaii). Her surviving children are Milton Maeda (Illinois), Darrel Seril (Hawaii), Wesley Seril and wife Elvie of California, Roberta Da Rosa (Rhode Island), Teresa Esslinger (Olympia), Sheila Esslinger (Olympia), Kathleen Shepp and husband Patrick Shepp of Olympia, Debra Ann Roper and husband Carl Roper of Olympia, and Jimmy Esslinger (Olympia). Sarah was preceded in death by her sons Rodney Seril and Abraham Seril, and daughter Susan Seril.
She is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 22 great grand children and 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Heather Esslinger, grandson RJ, and great-great grandson Hezekiah. Funeral services will be held at Forest Funeral Home in Olympia on Saturday, February 23rd with viewing at noon and service at 1:00 pm.
Reception to follow. Sarah’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at Woodland Assisted Living and Providence Sound Homecare and Hospice, as well as Dr. Edward Jansen. Dr. Jansen was an intern at St. Peter Hospital while Sarah worked there, and later became her primary care doctor until her passing.
“a hui hou” …. . “Until we meet again”.
SERVICES Funeral Service Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:00 PM Forest Funeral Home 2501 Pacific Ave. SE Olympia, WA 98501 Get Directions on Google Maps Viewing at Noon.
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