Lena Helen Lambert

Lena (Lee) Lambert was born on June 27, 1931 in Stockton, CA and passed away peacefully in Sacramento, March 26, 2026 at the age of 94.

Lee’s parents, Karl and Lena Reichmuth, immigrated to the United States from Switzerland in 1930 and eventually purchased a farm in Lathrop.  She attended Lathrop Elementary School, Manteca High School for two years and graduated from Stockton High School in 1950.  Lee was a proud member of the local 4-H Club for six years and learned to drive on the farm at age 14, hauling hay for her father.

In 1948, Lee embarked on a grand adventure with her family traveling to visit relatives in Switzerland and exploring Europe for six months.  Her parents sold the Lathrop farm and joined several other Swiss families in a caravan of six cars that drove from Lathrop to New York; loaded the cars on a ship to France, and drove to Switzerland.  She frequently mentioned the trip as one of her best memories.  She was proud of her Swiss heritage.

After returning from Switzerland, Lee and her family moved to Stockton, and in 1950 Lee moved to Sacramento to attend Sacramento City College Nursing Program.  After graduating and becoming a Registered Nurse in 1953, she first worked in a pediatrician’s office for a couple years before accepting a job at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Labor and Delivery and Premature Nursery.  She completed her 40-year nursing career at UC Davis Sacramento Medical Center as a Charge Nurse in OB and GYN.  She was the first in her family to be a Registered Nurse, with her sister Trudy, daughter-in-law Tawney and granddaughter Katie following in her footsteps.

While attending Sacramento City College, she met the love of her life, United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Edward Lambert, at a Travis Air Force Base dance.  They married in 1954 and celebrated 65 wonderful years together before Edward’s passing in 2019.  Following their honeymoon in South Lake Tahoe, they began a long-standing tradition of more than 60 years of inviting the extended family each summer to South Lake Tahoe for lots of food, fun, gambling, and great memories.

Lee traveled the world (she loved her cruises) and loved to entertain family and friends at her home, especially birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Always delightful, cheerful and with an abundance of energy, she made sure that everyone had plenty to eat, felt welcome and that every occasion was special.

Lee was a faithful member of St. Anthony’s Parish and St. Joseph’s Mr. & Mrs. Club.  She was involved in the community, volunteering and participating in numerous organizations, including the San Juaquin Valley Swiss Club and Sacramento Helvetia Verein.  She always looked forward to meeting with her monthly Bunco group.

Lee enjoyed attending games, activities and graduations for her sons and their families.  She wanted everyone to be happy and was always there when we needed help.

She is preceded in death by her parents Karl and Lena Reichmuth; husband of 65 years Edward Lambert; sister Trudy Boline; and son Eddie Jr. (April).  Survived by her sons Scott (Tawney) and Gary (Nancy); 6 grandchildren; and 5 great grandchildren.

All funeral services will be held at:

St. Mary’s Cemetery & Funeral Center

6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento

Viewing on Monday, April 27, 2026 from 5-8pm with Rosary at 6pm

Viewing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 @ 9am, Mass @ 10am with reception to follow

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made in Lee’s memory to UC Davis Children’s Hospital, Health Sciences Dev. & Alumni Relations, PO Box 160186, Sac CA 95816 or online at https://giveto.ucdavis.edu