KRISTA LEIGH SANDNESS
October 21, 1971 – February 2, 2019

Krista was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1971 and moved with her family to
Richland, Washington in 1973.  As a child and as an adult, she was a
loving, kind, creative, and compassionate person with a zany sense of
humor.  She had many talents, many interests, and a zest for life.
Her great loves were theater, writing, travel, animals, and the outdoors.
Even in elementary school, she excelled in many areas.  At age 11, she
danced the role of Clara in the Nutcracker Ballet.  As a student she won
many awards for her writing.  She also
loved hiking, backpacking, and skiing in the mountains with her family.

In high school, she was on the gymnastics and softball teams and performed in
many school and community theater productions.  She was named “most
talented” and “wittiest” by her classmates at Hanford High.

After high school, Krista moved on to California Lutheran University in
Thousand Oaks, graduating with a degree in Theater Arts.  She then enrolled
in a three-year graduate program at DePaul University in Chicago, obtaining a
Master of Fine Arts degree.

After a brief marriage, which ended in divorce, she decided to join the Army
Reserves and received training as a journalist and photographer at the
Department of Defense Information School, where she received a Public Affairs
Diploma.

In addition to her work as a photojournalist for the Army, her many jobs along
her life’s journey included teaching college theater classes, organizing
Shakespeare Festivals for children, working for two travel companies,
waitressing, and general office work.  Most recently, she earned a Veterinary
Assistant Certificate to pursue her love of animals.  She then enjoyed
working for veterinary clinics in the Spokane area, loving her work with
animals and their owners.

Krista was a bold spirit who loved adventure and travel.  As a young girl,
she went to Europe with her family, where she visited 11 countries and caught
the travel bug.  Several years later, she
went with her father to Jordan, where she participated in geophysical studies
at archeological sites.  Work related travel included trips to Europe and
Japan.

Twice in the years 2000 and 2001, she backpacked with her mother across
northern Spain on the medieval pilgrimage route called The Camino de
Santiago.  In the spring of 2008, she went to Japan for her brother’s
wedding and was the photographer at the wedding reception.

Recent adventures included skydiving, a week spent in London, and a trip to
visit wonderful friends on the Gulf Coast.

She is survived by her parents, Barbara and Gerald Sandness, her brother and
sister-in-law Scott and Rieko Sandness, and her adored nephew and niece, Erik
and Elsa.  Her family and many friends
will miss her deeply.  She gave us all
much joy.