Dolores Jeannine Hester, age 85 of Highland, IL, died Friday, July 11, 2025, at Saint Louis University Hospital in Saint Louis, MO.

She was born on Thursday, August 10, 1939, in Percy, IL, the daughter of Raymond and Ruby (nee Rathert) Ruebke.

On Saturday, August 31, 1963, she married John Alton Hester at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Campbell Hill, IL, who survives.

She was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ. She was also a member of HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.

Dolores was born on a farm in 1939 near Steelville, Illinois, her childhood was spent working on the farm with her younger brother Leo. Dolores embodied the values of hard work, resilience, and a deep love of learning from an early age. She went to 1st grade speaking mostly German and carrying only a thermos of coffee. When she returned home from school, after discovering most people only spoke English, she told her parents and grandparents that she would never speak German again and she stuck to it.

Dolores was the first in her family to attend college, defying expectations — especially those of her father, who doubted the value of higher education — earning a full scholarship to the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and later, her Master’s in Adult Education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville to support her work as Director of Education at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Throughout her career, Dolores dedicated herself to the health and well-being of others. She began as a floor nurse in Charleston, Missouri, and went on to serve as a public health nurse in Benton County, Missouri.

In 1965, she joined St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Illinois as a floor nurse. Later she took a position as an instructor at the nursing program in Alton, Illinois. Dolores started the Public Health Program in Greenville, Illinois and later returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland as a nurse and worked her way up to serve as their Director of Education. Dolores was the driving force behind the creation of the Highland Community Health Fair, offering reduced-cost health screenings to the public. After retirement, she continued to serve the hospital as part of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary.

Dolores’s life was enriched by her marriage to John Hester, whom she met through a mutual friend. They were married for almost 62 years. Together they built a life raising two daughters and encouraging them to pursue their ambitions with confidence and purpose. Dolores was a devoted mother, a tireless supporter, and a fierce advocate for her children — one of whom is now the president of an engineering company and the other a professor at a medical school. Dolores was immensely proud of them both.

She had a wide array of interests and embraced life fully — whether traveling across the U.S., visiting Alaska, or exploring Europe and other countries. She enjoyed camping trips with her friends and family and quiet moments with books, knitting, and sewing. Later in life, she found joy and community with her card club and Silver Sneakers exercise group at the Korte Rec Center.

Dolores will be remembered not only for her professional achievements, but for her love and encouragement, her unwavering belief in education, and her deep love for her family and friends. Her career leaves a legacy of her commitment to learning and care for others. She lived with conviction, compassion, and curiosity, quietly leading by example. She will leave behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Survivors include:
Husband - John Alton Hester, Highland, IL
Daughter - Cindy J. (Tom) Ebert, Glen Carbon, IL
Daughter - Andi J. (Dan) Reaka, Edwardsville, IL
Grandchild - Ryan T. (Savanah) Ebert, Edwardsville, IL
Grandchild - Claire L. (Riley) Patterson, Edwardsville, IL
Grandchild - Alan J. Ebert, Denver, CO
Grandchild - Cassi J. Reaka, Edwardsville, IL
Grandchild - Cami K. Reaka, Edwardsville, IL
Grandchild - Cadan D. Reaka, Edwardsville, IL
Great Grandchild - Wesley J. Patterson, Edwardsville, IL
Brother - Leo (Nancy) Ruebke, Grand Blanc, MI

She was preceded in death by:
Father - Raymond George Wilhelm Ruebke
Mother - Ruby Ruebke

Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, IL.

Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 25, 2025, at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, IL, with Rev. William E. Kapp, Pastor, Evangelical United Church of Christ, officiating.

Interment will be at Highland City Cemetery in Highland, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to EvUCC or HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.