Esther L Wakefield

Esther Wakefield, 95, of San Jose passed away at home on May 24, 2024. Esther was born to Lavonne and Walter E. Johnson November 15, 1928 in Fargo, North Dakota. Esther left North Dakota with her family during the Depression. In 1940 her family ended up in San Fernando Valley, California and she lived much of her childhood in the house that her father had built. Esther met Robert Wakefield at a square dance in Southern California. They were married in South Lake Tahoe in 1956 and moved to the San Jose area in 1964. They raised their family there and were devoted to each other, until their deaths.

Esther loved her family and her home. She was an avid reader and seamstress until losing her eyesight. She provided daycare for all but one of her 5 grandchildren. Esther loved her cats and was comforted, until her end, by Charlie, who stayed by her side.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband Robert Duane Wakefield “Bob” and siblings Walter Johnson Jr. and Clarice (Johnson) Eden. She leaves behind her beloved daughter Patricia L. and sons Steven W. and Michael R.(Janice), and grandchildren Shane, Nigel, Kimberly, Jennifer, and Zachary.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024 at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA. Internment will take place at 12:30 p.m. at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 22555 Cristina Rey Dr, Los Altos, CA. Flowers and condolences may be sent to Willow Glen Funeral Home, 1039 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA.