Leah Sterling

Leah Doris Fuller Sterling was born December 26, 1924 and passed February 21, 2016. She was the ninth of ten children to Margaret Mulhulda (Casper) and Frederick John Fuller in Emmett, Idaho, a small farming community near Boise where the family had earlier homesteaded. It was tough growing up during the depression era years, but the farm life always provided food and a living. During her very early education she attended the old Laurel School, a one room school house with eight grades and one teacher. Leah then went into town to school where she enjoyed being a soloist, frequently singing at school functions, weddings and funerals.

Leah loved music and dancing. Her and her girlfriends enjoyed dancing with the men being sent overseas for World War II at the USO Club in Boise. There she met a handsome warrant officer in the army air corps stationed at Gowen Field -- Guy Wayne Sterling of Yakima. The romance flourished quickly and they became engaged just before Guy was shipped off to fight the war in North Africa and Italy. Letters were their only communications during Guy’s four years overseas. After attending business school in Boise, Leah with several girlfriends signed up to work on a secret war project in Richland, Washington. At 19, she boarded a train and off she went. She worked as clerical staff and recounts big dance halls where the biggest name big bands would come and play.

Guy finally came home on leave and they married April 20, 1945 in Yakima, Washington just a few weeks before V-E Day and the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany. Guy was assigned stateside until the end of the war then was discharged. The newlyweds moved back to Yakima where Guy worked for the state a short time, then got on with the Hanford project. In 1947 they moved into a government house on Torbett Street on a bitter cold day with no heat. Guy was at work and Leah was so cold so she knocked on the door of her new neighbors and was warmly welcomed. That was the beginning of an era of lifelong close friendships in that neighborhood-- a place where they socialized, partied, raised kids and cared for one another.

In 1951 Leah and Guy had a son, Steven Guy and four years later a little girl named Kellene Marie (Kellie). 1963 brought a major Hanford downsizing and contractor change out, and Guy was worried about staying employed. Leah went to work for the City of Richland, first on the switchboard / dispatch at the police station and later in the City Clerk’s office. Again, she made many great friends.

Leah and Guy both liked to travel and while raising the kids they always saved up and went on annual vacations. There were several trips to Canada, Oregon coast, Yellowstone, Idaho lakes, camping etc. Once the kids were out of the house then the real travel began.  They would get together with friends or family and go to Mexico, England, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, Bali, Hong Kong, and many other places in the US.

After 52 years of marriage Guy passed away. It was a sad time but Leah’s independent nature and spunk didn’t keep her down for too long. She continued participating in community events, playing bridge, hosting parties, and traveling. An old friend, the widower of one of the gals she came to Richland from Idaho with, stopped by for a visit.  Not long after, to her kid’s surprise, she ended up with an engagement ring and a few months later, at the age of 75, she married another wonderful man, Boyd Rasmussen.  They said that at their age there was no time for long engagements. The wedding minister thought since they had over 100 years of marriage between them, marriage counseling for the newlyweds wasn’t necessary. Boyd passed in 2014.

Leah Sterling is survived by her dear brother, Norman Fuller (Delores); son, Steve Sterling (Linda); daughter, Kellie Opgenorth (Rob); grandsons: Scott and Garrett Sterling (Zeina); and four great-grandchildren. A celebration of Leah’s life will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 11:00 am at Event’s at Sunset; 915 By Pass Hwy, Richland, WA 99352. A reception will take place immediately following the service.