Ellen Joyce Hester (Spires)

Ellen Joyce Hester (Spires) left this earth on September 27th, 2022. She was born on October 3, 1944 to Clifford and LaVaughn Spires in Upland, California where she resided until she was 8 years old. She then moved to the Midwest living in Indiana and Michigan before her family settled in Iowa. Ellen graduated from Webster City High School.

She then moved to Des Moines to attend A.I.B College. In 1964 she met Herschel Dale Hester, Jr. while scooping the loop downtown Des Moines in her sister’s convertible. They married in 1965. They became avid bowlers, supporters of the North High Booster Club and had many travel adventures in their tent and camper. They had 2 children, Paul and Jodi Hester. Ellen and Herschel were married for 33 years before his passing in 1998.

Seven years later she moved to Waukee to be closer to Jodi and her family and developed many beautiful friendships with her neighbors and enjoyed greeting all the dog walkers and handing out dog treats. She talked to her son, Paul, daily via phone calls and texts, memes, and tried to sort out all their political differences.

Ellen worked for the State of Iowa for 34 years with her last years of employment with the Iowa Work Force Division of Labor where she had many friends and colleagues.

She loved life and always had a smile on her face, but she had red hair and she was part Irish and had a temper that came out every now and then. Ellen loved gardening, crafting, and sewing. She had a wild streak and surprised us all when on a whim she bought a bright blue car which she always backed into the garage so she was ready to roll.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and a sister. She leaves to cherish her memories her son, Paul Hester & (Kim Kasper), Coral Springs, FL, daughter, Jodi Baier, (Brad) Adel, IA; 3 granddaughters, Andrea Parman (Grant), Erica Baier, and Kristen Baier, and her beloved Chihuahua, Paco.

She was a member at New Hope Methodist Church and enjoyed serving the youth during Kid’s Club on Wednesday evenings. She helped with many projects there and was always collecting food and other household items to share with those in need.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 3, at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver Ave, in Des Moines.

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