Alice was born in Horton, Kansas on May 6, 1933 to Jose and Julia Valdez Martinez. She was the 8th of 12 siblings and was the last surviving family member. After graduating high school, Alice moved to Lake Charles, LA to live with her older sister, Gail. It was there that she met Dan Nester, who was stationed at Chenault Air Force Base. On October 17, 1953, they married and proceeded to have three children. Alice had a 35 year career as an executive secretary at Cities Service/Occidental Petroleum until her retirement in 1986.
Alice and Dan enjoyed life to the fullest. They loved to entertain friends, travel and celebrate life with their families as often as they could. It was not uncommon to find Alice and Dan feeding a group of sailors from the Port of Lake Charles at their home after a night of partying at Quinns Lounge! Mom never met a stranger and was a friend to all who knew her.
Mom was proud to be a member of American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) for over 30 years and she loved going to the conventions and working at many festivals with her friends. She was a 60 + year member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and volunteered at St Patrick’s Hospital as a Pink Lady. She took great pride in offering comfort to families visiting loved ones in the hospital.
Alice is predeceased by her parents, her 11 siblings – Ernestine, Richard, Emilio, Al, Gail, Jeanne, Mary, Ted, Phil, Joe and Charlie – her husband, Dan Nester, her son-in-law, Michael Golla and her granddaughter, Anna Grace Golla.
Alice is survived by her children, Lorraine Nester Brown (Randy) of Dacula, Ga, Kevin Nester (Tammy) of Lake Charles, and Julie Nester Golla of Houston, TX. Grandchildren Lorrie, Kyle, Danielle, Drew, Will, Ben and Sam. Great grandchildren Lily, Shelby, Bodie, Georgia, Gray, Margot and Miles.
Funeral services for Alice Nester will be Monday, February 17, 2025 at Hixson Funeral Home on Ryan Street. Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 a.m. and the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Consolata Cemetery.
The family would like to express their love and gratitude to the caregivers and staff at The Crossings Retirement Community in League City, Texas. In particular, the ladies in Memory Care and Long Term Care. Finally, to the staff at Faith Community Hospice – your love and tenderness meant the world to us in Moms final days and hours.
