Lester "Les" Ben Santjer

Lester “Les” Santjer, age 91, longtime Sunnyside resident and businessman passed away on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in Sunnyside, WA.  Les was born on March 1, 1927 in Bejou, Minnesota the son of Anna (Plowman) and William Santjer.  Les received his education in Minnesota.  At the age of 19 he took on the responsibility of caring for his parents.  On February 1, 1949 he married Harriett Myers in Sunnyside, WA and they raised nine children.   The Santjer Family lived in Sunnyside from 1949 to 1967, when they moved to Burien, WA for six years and Les worked in construction of the Sea Tac Parking Garage.   The family returned to Grandview in 1973 and Les founded Santjer Concrete Business, which he owned and operated until 1995.  Due to his wife failing health, Les and Harriett moved Idaho and later Cle Elum to be close to family.  Following the passing of his wife, Harriett in 2002, Les returned to Grandview, WA in 2003 from there he moved to Sunnyside Sun Terrace in 2015.

 Les enjoyed many years of working with his sons in the concrete business and farming.  He also loved to go dancing. He was also a former member of the Sunnyside Eagles and Grandview Assembly of God Church.

Les is survived by his children, Ben Santjer (Denise)  Kennewick, WA, Jim Santjer (Deb) of Kenmore, WA, Bev Martin of Lewiston, ID, Carolyn Jenson (Kelly of Snohomish, WA, Lester R. Santjer (Fran) of Cle Elum, WA., Linda Wood (Steve) of Woodinville, WA, Bob Santjer of CleElum, WA, Tom Santjer (Angie) Kennewick, WA, Larry Santjer of Kennewick, WA. One brother, Albert Santjer of Richland, WA and Dear Friend and Care Giver Frances Sonners of Sunnyside, WA.   Twenty five grandchildren, thirty great grandchildren and four great great grandchildren

He is also survived by his loving Elk companion, Buttons.  Buttons and Les had a special bond of greeting each other, outside of his home in Cle Elum, as only a wild animal and a blind person could have.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA.  Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA.  Burial will follow at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA.  Those wishing to sign Les’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com   Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

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