Ester Wallace

June 17, 1915 - November 26, 2012

Corvallis resident Ester Wallace died Monday at Stoneybrook Assisted Living. She was 97. Ester was born in Joplin, Mo., to Richard and Sophia Galyan. She married Orlan Wallace in 1930 in Kansas. The couple moved to Albany in 1951 and then to Corvallis in 1969. They were charter members of North Albany Baptist Church. They attended Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, where Ester taught women’s Bible studies. Ester gained her GED diploma and attended Oregon State University, where she worked for 10 years. She also worked at the Albany Public Library. She was a lifelong reader and learner, especially of Bible studies. She had a wonderful memory until just a few months before her death. She enjoyed painting, sewing, counted cross-stitch, and making doll clothes and dresses for her granddaughters. Her husband, Orlan, died in 1977. Her beloved son, Leon Wallace, died in 2008. For many of her recent years, she enjoyed the company of Bill Vanderberg until he moved to Seattle to be near his daughter. Ester is survived by her brother, Fred (and wife Georgine) Barber of Hays, Kan.; daughter, Karen Smith of Hillsboro; daughter-in-law, Diane Wallace of Toledo, Wash.; grandchildren Debbie Miller, Kim (and husband Kent) Smothers, Rebecca (and husband Eric) Oberg, Ruth (and husband John) Lampian and John (and wife Kimberly) Wallace. She was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren. She also is survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the staff at Stoneybrook Assisted Living; to Ester’s longtime physician, Dr. David Grube; her new physician who was so wonderful and helpful in her last months, Dr. Lauren Gray; and Benton Hospice Service. Burial was at Twin Oaks Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at DeMoss-Durdan Funeral Home, 815 N.W. Buchanan Ave. in Corvallis. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Benton Hospice Service, 2350 N.W. Professional Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330.