Life Tributes for the week of 1/22/20

Mary Louise (Hannah) Morrow

Mary Louise (Hannah) Morrow passed peacefully Dec. 9, 2019, in Sacramento with family members at her side. Mary Lou was born in Lewistown, Montana, on June 3, 1926. She always said that she felt her life had been “blessed” with wonderful friends and family.

At six-weeks-old, Mary Lou’s family moved from Montana to California, living in various rural areas over the years. She graduated fro Taft High School and went to college at UC Berkeley. There she met John Morrow and they were soon engaged. During the summer of ’46, John went south to work for the State Forestry; and Mary Lou transferred to San Jose State College to further her art skills.

Mary Lou was an artist in oils and acrylics and sold her paintings at art shows, as well as on request. She taught painting privately and in group sessions. Mary Lou also taught as a substitute teacher in elementary schools, authored “Help for Substitute Teachers” (a teacher idea book) and wrote several articles. She volunteered at Plumas District Hospital in the gift shop and as an Auxiliary art chairman. She was strong in her faith and active in her community churches. Mary Lou enjoyed painting, trailer traveling with her husband (John) and retirement in Graeagle where the enjoyed 20 years of great times with friends and family.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Linda Cuddy; sons, David Michael Morrow and John Morrow; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Memorial services will be held on Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. at Journey Church, 450 Blue Ravine Road, Folsom, CA.

Allen Leroy Shuler

Allen Leroy Shuler — known in Chester as “Coach Shu” — passed away January 8, 2020, after a brief illness. He would have been 90, this coming week.

To praise or motivate others, Al quoted, “adversity introduces a man to himself.” He was quieter about his own story of overcoming adversity: Born to Mabel and Earle Shuler, in Chicago, his childhood was permeated by the hardships of the Great Depression. Al changed elementary schools thirteen times, and at age eleven was expected to take a job with the railroad. Instead, he insisted he finish school.

During high school, his job, homework and football practice left Al barely enough time to sleep, but his determination, grit and talent won him a scholarship to Central College in Iowa. Later — after serving in the Korean War — he earned his master’s degree and teaching credential at San Jose State, and Stanford. During college, he worked at YMCA summer camps, which helped form his approach to mentoring youth.

In 1954, Al married Peggy Logue (now Peggy Wright of Lake Almanor). They began raising their four children while he coached high school football in Santa Clara. The family also built a summer home at Lake Almanor. Like so many, they were drawn to the beauty and peacefulness of the area, with its abundant offerings of year-round recreation.

Back home, Al was being cultivated for a career in professional football, but he loved coaching teens. In 1969, he turned down a college coaching position, in favor of one at Chester High School. He often expressed gratitude for the opportunity to raise his family in Chester, and for the decades he spent coaching football, wrestling, and golf at CHS.

In 1975, Al was proud to be part of Chester’s first trip to the football playoffs. The team’s first NSCIF Class A Championship followed in 1979. People he coached remember the inspiring quotes he had them memorize, as well as “Shuler-isms” like “if you go right you never go wrong”, and “you can keep running until I get tired!”

In 1976, Al married Carol Keith and gained five stepchildren. His and Carol’s fifteen grandchildren recall him as silly and fun-loving, dispensing important life lessons such as “you can sit on your thumb, but it has a nail in it!” One sums it up as, “on the one hand he rarely seemed serious; on the other, he was always teaching something.”

Carol passed in 2002, and Al married Ellen Manner in 2005, expanding his family to include her many descendants. After Ellen passed away, Al lived on his own in Chico, keeping up his social schedule and visits to the gym until his late eighties, when dementia imposed a quieter life.

After retirement, Coach Shu remained a vocal CHS fan. This past November, he was inspired by efforts to fill the stands for the varsity football team’s section championship game: The community had funded tickets for CHS students, so he added tickets for the students of Chester Elementary School, and families from both schools. His eyes were sparkling a few days later, as he received thank-you cards, a fresh Chester ball cap and a play-by-play of the game. Hearing how intensely the team had worked for their victory, he recalled that he always trained Chester kids hard, because of the cold, the altitude, and the small team sizes:  “They have to play much harder than some, so they must condition harder.”

Al’s coaching was characteristic of a man who held the highest expectations of himself, and others. As much as he cherished a win, he frowned upon running up a score. He seemed compelled to equip young adults for any trial they may encounter: a snowy football final, an unexpected call from a ref, an ethical dilemma, or life’s traumas and hardships. At the same time, he instilled habits like gratitude for one’s blessings, and a compulsion to “pay it forward.”

Al was predeceased by daughter Kris Wilson in 2006. He is survived by siblings Ivan, Arlene, and Dolores; son and daughter-in-law John and Lisa Shuler; daughters Wendy McClure and Heidi Shuler; grandchildren Trenna, John, Adam, Greer, Shanley, Sam, and Davis; and five greatgrandchildren.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held in Chester, during the summer. In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for donations to the Chester High School Athletic Fund. Checks may be written to The Boosters Club and sent to Chester High School, c/o Paul Hardig, PO Box 797, Chester, CA 96020.

David William Steidel

The world lost a remarkable soul on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. Dave Steidel was loved by so many because in life he left a huge and loving wake where ever he traveled. He passed away suddenly in Quincy.

David William Steidel was born in Berkeley, the third of four sons of Robert and Jean Steidel. He and his brothers John, Mark and Stephen, grew up in Berkeley and maintained to this day a closeness not often found. Dave attended Berkley High School where he played football for the BHS football team and became known for his intensity and colorful personality. He graduated in 1972.

Dave formed deep and lasting friendships with all those that he worked and played with throughout his life. From his early work as a “Blue Coat” of Bill Graham Presents (TOP, The Blues Brothers-wild times!), and as Farmer Dave at Berkeley’s Tilden Park, he brought joy to adults and children alike. During his 17 years as an East Bay Regional Park District ranger, he met and married the love of his life, Jane. Though they both loved being park rangers, when the opportunity to become farm managers at Deep Springs College in the White Mountains of eastern California, they embraced the unique new experience. It was there that their son, Karl, was born. At Deep Springs, Dave’s integrity and love of the earth, to say nothing of his work ethic, enriched and inspired students and staff alike.

After 5 years, when Dave and his family moved to Quincy, he found a community of friends with whom he shared deep, soulful relationships. Dave’s joy and love of life, childlike curiosity and wonder at the world, infused his times throughout his 26 years in Plumas County.

It was here in his new home that Dave, ever the farmer, created an epic garden each year. He loved growing and sharing his culinary creations. In Quincy he broadcasted the ever popular Farmer Dave Farm Hour (and a half) and worked as produce manager at Quincy Natural Foods. As Karl grew, Dave began coaching Quincy’s youth, middle and high school baseball and soccer teams. He fostered in his players a strong sense of teamwork, work ethic and good sportsmanship. To this day, Coach Dave is remembered as an inspiration and mentor. He continued enjoying sports as a popular announcer of Feather River College football and basketball games for almost 20 years.  His love of nature brought him to work for the U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Hough RD for 10 years.

Throughout his life, Dave had a legendary love of music that he shared with friends and family alike. He amassed and catalogued (all those lists!) an enormous range of music that he used to create the perfect set lists for every occasion from wild and crazy themed family reunions to desert trips with kindred spirits, from FRC games to celebrations of anything and everything. He loved producing spectacular occasions down to the tiniest detail  — cow costumes, Mardi Gras, 60s parties, Winter Solstice and the list goes on. Music was the vehicle through which his love of life was joyously expressed.

It was his gift for creating community and family that made Dave a remarkable person who exemplified a life well lived. He will be missed forever.

Dave, 65, is survived by his wife, Jane and son, Karl, his wife, Jessica, and brothers, John, Mark and Steven. A memorial is being planned and will be held at a later date.