Heather Ann Masten

Heather Ann Masten, age 56 of Live Oak, Texas passed away November 2, 2021 after a brief illness. Heather was born December 27,1964 in Grand Island, Nebraska to Terry and Janice Masten. She graduated from Grand Island High School in 1983. Following graduation, Heather entered the US Army. Heather married Kelly Stahlnecker in 1984 and they welcomed a son, Dustin Dakota Stahlnecker in 1987. The couple later divorced. In 1993, Heather attained her law degree from Creighton Law School. Heather met her soulmate, Nancy Williams on April 5, 1996. The couple later married on June 26, 2006 in Toronto, Canada. The couple have resided together in Colorado, Germany, and Texas.

Throughout Heather’s military life in the US Army and Air Force she served honorably in the Gulf War, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After serving for 26 years as a Military JAG Officer, Heather retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal of Honor for her service. As a civilian, Heather worked as a Labor and Employment Attorney for both the US Air Force and Army. Her most recent position was with the US Army Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston. Heather was blessed to have worked with many outstanding individuals in both the military and civilian sectors of her career. She was fortunate to form lifelong relationships with many wonderful colleagues that she also called her friends.

In 1999, Heather, Nancy and Dustin moved to Germany and spent 2 wonderful years exploring Europe and strengthening the family bonds. Relocating in 2000 to San Antonio, Texas the trio settled for the final move and established their forever home. Heather and Nancy spent countless hours traveling throughout the United States enjoying kayaking, camping, boating and tricycling. Heather’s passion was the construction of her backyard into a personal oasis where she could unwind and enjoy time with family and friends. She enjoyed her garden, flowers, creating fountains and sitting back with a good scotch and cigar at the end of the day in her swings. In 2009, Heather welcomed her granddaughter, Analeese, who she affectionately calls “Punky’. Many hours were spent swimming, playing games, camping, and watching her play sports as Punky, her greatest joy, grew into the beautiful young lady that Heather is so proud of. As Dustin has been the man in her life for the past 34 years, Heather proudly watched him grow from a young child into a steadfast adult serving as a Lieutenant in the Fire Service, the greatest father to Analeese and a wonderful husband to Carolyn. Heather was proud of her son every day of her life. The love of family knew no bounds for Heather, as she became an ordained minister to marry her son, Dustin to his wife, Carolyn in October. This would be one of Heather’s joyous last moments in her short life as wife, mother, and “Gummie”.

Heather is survived by her wife of 25 years, Nancy Williams, her son, Dustin Stahlnecker (Carolyn) and her granddaughter, Analeese. Her father, Terry Masten (Donna), mother Janice Dernier, brother Kevin Masten, sister in law Patti Masten, nieces and nephews and numerous family and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Russ Masten and her paternal and maternal grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to www.wingsofrescue.org. See link below