Pamela Ann (Brinker) Lester passed away on her terms, peacefully in her South Dakota home on September 27, 2022.

Pam was born on September 7, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pam was the oldest of eight children born to Edgar Spiegelhalter Brinker and Beatrice Gertrude (Rudolph) Brinker.

Pam supported the USA by marrying an Army man, Robert Sherwood Lester in July 1965. To this union, two children were born Jennifer and Rob.

Pam's passion was learning. Pam became a nurse practitioner in 1976 graduating from Penn State University with encouragement from her mentor, Carol Panicucci. In 2005, at the age of 60, Pam obtained her Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University. Pam traveled the world (literally) taking care of patients and forever changing lives. Going as far as Gaborone, Botswana setting up a nursing program for the U.S. Government.

Pam retired to her South Dakota home, where she loved to watch deer and tried to keep Mulan (her trusty Shitzu) from barking at them.

Pam was a friend of Bill W., and her life was eternally transformed by God and her many friends of Bill W.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Beatrice, her life-partner Diane, her sister Gretchen, her brothers Paul, Robert and Chris, sister-in-law Denise and nephew Cody.

Pam leaves behind children Jennifer (Joe) and Rob (Heather), grandchildren J.R. (Jessica), Jared (Allie), Kayla (Manny), Jesse, Robbie (Summer), Pierce, Allie and Payne, great-grandchildren Emmitt, Silas, Tamsyn, Avery and Jax, lifelong friend Patti, sister Denise (Michael), brothers Russ and Mark (Lynn), many special nieces and nephews, extended family, and innumerable friends.

At Pam's request, a celebration of life is planned on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at the Deadwood Visitor Center at 1pm. To honor Pam's memory please arrive fashionably late.