Kristine Hexberg Bedford

Kristine Bedford It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Kristine Hexberg Bedford died suddenly in her home in Pt. Richmond on Sunday, August 23, 2015. Kristine worked as the clinical director of the Endoscopy Center of Marin from its opening in 2000 until she retired in 2015. Before helping start the center, she had worked as an RN at Marin General Hospital for 25 years, beginning as a staff nurse, a surgical scrub nurse; and lastly the assistant manager of the recovery room. She loved her career in nursing, often championing the rights of patients. She had known she wanted to become a nurse since she was old enough to talk. She is survived by her devoted husband of 33 years, Ladd, Lyman Daniel Bedford lll, stepson, Michael Bedford, wife Tina and adored granddaughter Isabel of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; stepdaughter Susan Bedford and her husband Scott Schafer of Arlington, TX, and "two children who just happen to look like cats" - Sissy and Suki. Kristine was very devoted to her large family. Born July 17, 1948, to she was the third child in a family of seven children. Her father, a career officer in the U.S. Air Force, and the family traveled over the world, moving every one to three years. She continued traveling after she met the love of her life, Ladd. Through the years they have traveled to many countries and states, one of their favorites being England, where she had lived as a child. She loved fly fishing, shopping, word games, golf, and playing practical jokes. People loved her for her quick wit, generous laugh, and wonderful sense of humor. She was very gregarious and had many life-long friends. Also extremely generous, she loved buying gifts for her many friends and spoiling her granddaughter as well as nieces and nephews. All her co-workers have praised her work ethic, organizational skills and compassion for both patients and staff. She was someone you could count on, and she will be sorely missed. In addition to her immediate family, Kristine is survived by her beloved siblings: Rosemary Allen and husband Howard Wheatley Allen of Mendocino, CA; Karin Heikilla and husband Ralph Heikilla of Volcano, CA; Karl Hexberg of Marysville, CA; Katrina Hexberg and husband Patrick Fitzwater of Sacramento; Kurt Hexberg and wife Ann Marie of Wheatland, CA. Aunt 'Tine, as she was affectionately called, also leaves behind many nieces and a nephew: Lisa Allen Ortiz, Daphne Allen Mejia, Kirsten Hexberg, Marte Hexberg, Kendra Hexberg Daniel and husband Jon Daniel, William Hexberg, Kelsey Hexberg, Olivia Hexberg, Eric Hexberg, and Bryn Hexberg. She was also beloved of a large number of cousins. She was predeceased by her youngest brother, Eric Hexberg in 2003, by a nephew, Christopher Brandt in 1975, and by her parents Caspar Jul and Patricia Phillips Hexberg in 1995 and 1997. Kristine was a 1966 graduate of Rapid City High School, Rapid City, SD, and for a time attended Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA. She returned to South Dakota to earn her nursing degree from the University South Dakota in 1969 and began her long career as a registered nurse at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. In 1987, she received her BS from St. Mary's College, Moraga, CA 1987. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kristine's favorite charity: the Milo Foundation animal sanctuary, Point Richmond, CA.