Lesa Marie Hatten Sanftleben 

07 February 1955 - 30 October 1984

Lesa, next to a termite hill on the top of Thaba Bosiu (Mountain of the Night)

The tapestry of Lesa’s life was woven with many fibers, as she filled her twenty- nine years with a full heart.   Lesa, the second of five children, grew up in Grand Blanc, Michigan. She was a gentle and giving child who loved art and music; and the joy of life could be found in her smile.  Lesa played the violin in the Flint Youth Symphony during her school years and continued to enjoy playing in Chamber Groups during her college years.  You could count on her to volunteer her talents to work on a project or tutor a child.  Lesa graduated from Monterey Peninsula College in CA with an Associates in Science degree and the University of Minnesota with a degree in Civil Engineering, specializing in environmental engineering and water resources.  

After graduation, Lesa joined the PC because she had so many gifts in her life and wanted to share her talents and skill with others. Lesa was assigned to Lesotho, situated in the center of Southern Africa.  In this “Kingdom in the Sky” it was necessary to learn some of the Sesotho language and become familiar with the customs of the country. Lesa taped language lessons and songs sung by children.  Lesa’s position in Lesotho was district water engineer, which encompassed working on wells to bring water to five small villages.  Lesa was assigned to a house in a remote area, but had a truck to drive to the villages.   Many people came to her home asking for food, money or goods.  Lesa hired a man to dig an area for a vegetable garden. He came several times for work and pay.  On October 30, 1984, when Lesa came home after work, he was there with another man.  They killed her and ransacked her home, gathering all they could to sell.

The two men fled the country selling items they took from Lesa’s home.  Within a few months, they were arrested and held for a trial.  The trial took place in the summer of 1986.  We received a summary of the trial.  One man, Kopano Ntisane was freed and the second man Hlomelang Nkoja received fifteen years in prison.  Last year in 2003, we received word that the man who killed our daughter was released from prison and killed a village woman. Nkoja is again held for trial.

A celebration of Lesa’s life was held at a memorial service in Lesotho.  U.S.S.L Abbott, Ambassador in Lesotho, and Mimi Austin, Country Director in Lesotho, accompanied Lesa’s flag-draped casket home and remained for her funeral mass.  Among family, relatives, neighbors, school chums and dear friends, M. N. Tau, Ambassador, Lesotho; Bereng Qhobela, 3rd Secretary Lesotho Embassy; Mr. Luis del Rio, Director of the inter American Region, U. S. Peace Corps; Carole Mallary, Peace Corps in Kenya; and Bonnie Sue Baker also in the Peace Corps, joined us as we mingled our tears and thanked our God for giving us Lesa to love and she us. 

The threads of Lesa’s childhood, as a scholar, a married woman, a volunteer in the PC and her death are tightly woven with the people she touched in so many ways.  A small street in Hinesville, GA is named for her, and across the world in some manner her memory continues to witness her life. 

On our family room wall hangs a tapestry given to us by Lesa’s PC friends and the people in the village in which she died.  The tapestry is made of homespun mohair from their animals.  Woven in the tapestry are their homes, men herding goats and children play about as women carry water in clay pots on their heads.  In the center of this weaving is a hand pump well with blue water flowing to the ground.

We continue to belong to the PC family who knew and worked with Lesa in Lesotho.  They have included us in their newsletters and gatherings. In addition we have met others that have lost a cherished child.  Life’s shuttle moves to and fro daily weaving peace in our hearts.

Lesa’s Mom and Dad

Bob and Clare Ann Hatten

11396 Grand Oak Drive

Grand Blanc MI 48439-1219

E-Mail bchat10@aol.com

Photos

Click on photos below to enlarge.

Lesa	Lesa, Amy Mowery, & Theresa Faix at Thaba Bosiu	Amy Mowery and Lesa
Mimi Austin, Lesa, Theresa Faix, & Amy Mowery

Comments

Name: Krista (Lewis) Rosemary
Email:
Date: 10 September 2004

Comments

Lesa was a friendly, loving person with a wonderful zest for life. Lesa and I were in the same group of Peace Corps Volunteers in Lesotho. She was so excited about life and her work in Lesotho. When Lesa talked about her work you couldn't help but share in her delight. She was thrilled to be in a position to help build better fresh water sources for people. Lesa's work improved the lives of countless families in Lesotho.

Name: Steve & Sue Hatten
Email:
Date: 25 July 2004

Comments

Lesa was a wonderful person. Everyone who had the opportunity to meet her, loved her. We wish she was able to meet her nephew Bobby. We are sure that the two of them would have hit it off great. But, he was born a year after her passing.  Lesa will always be in our hearts.

Name: LaShell
Email:
Date: 16 July 2004

Comments

Lesa... her memory is not in a box in the corner with dust on it - the box with her obituary, some pictures, and a few newspaper clippings. No, it's in a warm spot in my heart. The memories of spilled M&Ms in my car, of my kids' favorite aunt, taking time to make cards, when they both came down with chicken pox. Because you can't buy a card like that. Lesa was the kind of person you couldn't stay mad at. She broke my sandal, and the next thing I was doing was laughing. So many memories... her cat, her violin, her drawing... and just think what one person can do. This man hurt a whole family, a lot of friends, and people who know my sister when he killed her. In Lesa's short 29 years, she made people smile, laugh, and feel loved. I will never forget her.

Name: Lisa Marie Moore (Grimm)
Email: lmmpooh42952684@aol.com
Date: 09 July 2004

Comments

I was a close neighbor of the Hatten Family and remember how all of them were such a warm family. I recall only small things about Lesa being that I wasn't very old the first time I met her. I remember seeing her sitting on their front porch reading. She was so wonderful to talk with and as a child I thought it was so cool that are names where the same. I even wanted to change the spelling so it could be just like hers. I remember how special she always made me feel taking the time to talk with a child that had to drive her crazy with question, after question. She would always take time for others and the small memories I do have of Lesa will always be etched in my heart and mind. Lesa was a very special woman, with the biggest heart anyone could ever find. I miss Lesa and the family much they have all made a special place in my heart. With much Love Lisa Marie Moore (Grimm)

Name: Crystal Nusbaum
Email:
Date: 01 July 2004

Comments

It is so hard to believe it has been 20 years since she was taken from us. I had the honor of knowing and loving my aunt for nine years of my life. She was the most wonderful person. I can remember as a child she took me and my brother to see Peter Pan at the theatre in Grand Blanc. I own a copy of that movie and cannot site thru it without a tear or two. I am sad my daughter will never get to meet her and know the most caring person that was taken from us so quickly. I smile knowing I will see her again one day.

Name: Sara Mulvaney
Email:
Date: 30 June 2004

Comments

I never met Lesa, I actually was not even born until after she passed, but I've been told I would've loved to meet her. It is not hard to believe after all the wonderful stories I have heard about her. I just hope to do as much with my life as she did with hers. Peace be with you all!

Name: DORIS RAUDEBAUGH
Email:
Date: 30 June 2004

Comments

I, too, did not know Lesa but her parents.  What a wonderful giving young lady.  Her parents are such very special people. I just wish all the people in the world could be as special as those 3 wonderful ones.

Name: Beverley White
Email:
Date: 30 June 2004

Comments

I did not know Lesa personally, but through her family and friends I have learned she was someone very special. I wish I had met her.

Name: TOM & DORIS SMITH
Email:
Date: 29 June 2004

Comments

Lesa must have been a great person. I never met her. But! I have known her parents for over 60 years, they also are great...love you all..

Name: Joyce McGrath
Email:
Date: 29 June 2004

Comments

Lesa's smile said so much about her and the spirit of caring she carried in her heart. Lesa gave so much and will never be forgotten.

If you would like to add your own comments about Lesa to this page, please send your comments via email to webmaster@fpcv.org and they will be posted promptly.

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Last modified: 07/12/08