Ernestine Marie Stephens, 94, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully, January 25, 2023. She was born September 7, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to the late George H. and Francis Yager. The family later moved and Ernestine grew up in Germano, Ohio. She graduated from Jewett High School, attended Marshall College and graduated from the Huntington Memorial School of Nursing, in Huntington West Virginia as a Registered Nurse.
After graduating, she worked at King’s Daughter’s Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky, where she met her husband, Robert Stephens, as a patient. Ernestine and Robert were married in 1951. They moved to Pomona, California in 1958 where they both worked and raised their family. After retiring in 1988, “Bob and Ernie,” moved to Victorville, California and then to Tucson, Arizona in 1998.
Ernestine was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who enjoyed gardening, RV traveling, camping and boating with her husband and family. She was a dedicated student and servant of the Lord, and for many years attended Lord of Grace Lutheran Church in Marana, Arizona.
Ernestine is preceded in passing by her husband of 54 years, Robert L. Stephens Jr. and brothers George Jr. and Luke Yager.
Ernestine is survived by son, Robert L. Stephens III (w/Kirsten); daughters Patricia Jane Rose Gonzales (h/Robert); Kathie Sue Caviglia (h/Steven); granddaughters, Danyell Clauer, Kayla and Sarah Caviglia, all of Tucson, Arizona; brother Jim Yager (w/Ella) of Westlake, Ohio; sister-in-law Janice Yager of New Philadelphia, Ohio.
Graveside services to be held Wednesday, February 1 at 10:30 am, East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, Arizona.
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