Vana Lynn Fessler

Vana Lynn (Settlemyer) Fessler, 74, died surrounded by her family, on Monday, April 10, 2023, at the University of Washington Medical Center, due to complications from emergency heart surgery, despite the best and caring efforts of her medical team.
Vana was born in Yakima, on May 15, 1948, to A.H. "Mike" Settlemyer, Jr. and June E. (Cooper) Settlemyer, and raised in the family home on Browne Avenue. She attended Robertson Elementary, Franklin Middle School, and graduated from Davis High School in 1966. Vana earned a degree from Yakima Valley College in 1968 and then attended the University of Washington.
During her time at UW, she was an active staff member in the production of the school newspaper, "The Daily", which included work as photojournalist. Her contributions included up close photography coverage of the large-scale marches and police response in Seattle, prompted by the invasion of Cambodia and killing of students at Kent State in May 1970.
Vana graduated from the University of Washington in 1970 with a BA in Communications/Journalism, and was honored by her peers with membership in the womens professional communications group, Theta Sigma Phi (now Women in Communications). Vana met her future husband while attending the UW, and they married on October 28, 1971, in Yakima. After her husbands graduation from law school in 1975 they moved to Yakima, where she spent the rest of her life.

Vana had a keen intellect and memory, and was a strong and independent spirit. She had a strong sense of fairness, truth, and justice, and was an astute judge of people. She supported the independence and rights of women from a young age.
Vana, with her immense talents and qualifications, chose to pursue her vision of creating a loving family and nurturing a household of her own. She wholeheartedly embraced her roles as a dedicated wife and mother to her three children, Douglas (1976), Michael (1980), and Keira (1983). In her final years, she found joy in welcoming two granddaughters, Henrietta, and Bernadette, into her family. Vana's unwavering commitment to her roles as a devoted wife, loving mother, and dedicated homemaker endured until her passing, leaving a legacy of love and care for her family.
Vana also had an open and abiding curiosity about the world around her and its people. Vana was open to other people and cultures and is remembered by her friends and acquaintances for her kindness and sense of humor. Vana loved nature, especially her gardens, flowers, birds, and camping. She absorbed and retained details easily and was the family encyclopedia in her areas of interest. Vana was accomplished in cooking, sewing, decorating, and art. She was a passionate cook, and her gourmet meals, desserts, and comfort dishes were a shared adventure and appreciated by her family and others. Her granddaughter, Henrietta (5) remembers her for her hugs and kisses, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, french toast, and for her "yummy" desserts.

Vana was descended from Yakima Valley pioneers, who first arrived in the late 1860s. Her great-grandfather was a cement contractor and was involved in the building of the Tieton Canal and other public works in town. The family name (Powell) can still be seen embossed in the sidewalks in NE Yakima. Vanas beloved grandmother, Grace (Powell) Cooper, arrived in Yakima on the train as an infant in 1887, and lived in Yakima until her death at 102. Vana was fascinated by pioneer stories and ways of living without modern conveniences and studied them all her life. Later, with help from the internet, this expanded into an interest in genealogy, and Vana immersed herself in the study of her family line back to early colonial times.
Vana was involved in the community starting early. She was an active participant in her home church, First Presbyterian, and served as a counselor at Camp Ghormley. In high school she was a member of the Davis Debate Team that traveled to participate in state competition. After college, Vana became an active member of Yakimas Junior League. Vana also served as a member of one of Yakima School Districts successful levy committees and on the City of Yakima traffic safety committee. For two years, she coordinated and operated the Warehouse Theatres annual summer Arts Van for children.

Vana is loved and missed by her family and many others. She is survived by her husband, L. Daniel Fessler, her son, Douglas and his wife, Minda, of Ellensburg, her son, Michael, of Washington D.C., and her daughter, Keira, of Yakima. She is also survived by two precious granddaughters, Henriettra Grace Fessler and Berndette Rose Fessler, of Ellensburg. Vana has a surviving sister, Ellen Bartelli, of Yakima. Her longtime friends include Julie Barker, of Yakima, Toni Houghton, of Olympia, and Wendy Guske, of Yakima.

"Today I am grateful for the sun and sunshine. Even if it is cold, the sunshine lifts my mood. The analogy of the Son and the Sun is so true. Thank you God for making them." Vana Lynn Fessler, passage from her gratitude journal, 2014

The family requests that any remembrances honoring Vana be donated to one of her favorite charities, the "Flock of Chickens" program for women at Heifer International. Donations can be made online at https://www.heifer.org/gift-catalog/animals/flock-of-chicks.html or sent in care of Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd Street, Yakima, WA 98901), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.