Life Tributes for the week of 4/24/19
David DeBoer
David DeBoer passed away on April 15, 2019, at the golden age of 94, preceded by his life-long partner, Rita, four years earlier. Both are now together with the Lord and are reuniting with loved ones and making new acquaintances, as was their style.
Both grew up during the WWII European occupation, and reflected bravery and fortitude, which manifested itself into their steadfast desire to travel and explore. They left the Netherlands on their honeymoon in 1950, immigrating to Canada and eventually landing in Los Angeles. Both fully embraced their new home and country and became naturalized citizens, having immersed themselves in the culture, customs and beliefs of the United States.
Dave was unafraid of hard work, having jobs at a silver mine, a grain elevator, milking cows on a dairy farm, a TV repairman, and eventually became a commercial truck driver in southern California for 31 years. Dave was actively involved with the Graeagle community, having retired here 33 years ago.
For those that knew him, his quiet demeanor and desire to help others didn’t go without notice. His grandchildren were fortunate to have a genuine, loving and patient Opa (grandfather). He was the true definition of a role model, mentor and inspiration to all that knew him.
He leaves behind a son, Dave, of La Mirada, daughter in-law, Beth, grandchildren, Emily, Josh, Bradley and eldest son, Jack, of Woodinville, Washington, daughter in-law, Susan and grandchildren, Andrew, Deanna and Sarah.
A private burial service will take place later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that any donations be provided to the Graeagle Community Church, for which Dave was a long time active member and helping hand.
Emma Sanford Kolb
Emma Sanford Kolb, 91, of Cromberg, died April 1, 2019, at home. She was born June 27, 1928, in Delleker. She moved, with her parents Albert and Alice Sanford to Oroville as a child and graduated from Oroville Union High School in 1946.
She attended the University of California at Berkeley and the U.C.S.F. School of Nursing and received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1952.
After living in Los Angeles, she moved with her husband Ken to Cromberg in 1952. She attended the U.C. Davis Medical School in Sacramento where she was certified as a nurse practitioner in 1972. Her specialty was in pediatrics. She worked for the Department of Health Services in Quincy for 18 years where she held well child clinics in Quincy, Chester, Greenville and Portola.
Emma has long been an advocate for children and was co-founder and past board chairman of Horses Unlimited, Inc., in Sloat. This organization has provided services since 1994 to children and adults with developmental, learning and physical disabilities.
She was past president of Quincy PTSA, Emblem Club, member of Soroptimist International of Quincy and a life member of the Masonic Order of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken Kolb and leaves daughters, Lauren Sternberg, of Cromberg, Kimrie Zentmeyer, of Washougal, Washington, and son, Kevin Kolb, of Blairsden, and grandchildren, Hannah, Holly and Nicholas.
After cremation, private graveside services will be held at a later date. She will be interred alongside her husband, parents and grandparents in Whispering Pines Cemetery in Portola. Emma will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother and friend.
Roger Albert Medici
Roger Albert Medici passed away on April 1, 2019, at Enloe hospital in Chico with his family by his side.
Born July 26, 1939, the eldest of three children to Roger William Medici and Mary Rose (Leal) Medici in Martinez, Roger spent most of his nearly 80 years living in the Lake Almanor area.
Roger enlisted at a young age, choosing to serve his country as a United States Marine. Upon returning from service, he met Consuelo (Connie) Mendoza, and they married in 1960. During their union, a daughter, Lisa and son, Jack, were born. Their union ended in 1979.
Roger was an avid snowmobiler in his younger days, competing in and winning many local competitions. He enjoyed and serving as ski patrol, and he was also an excellent water skier.
In 1979, Roger met and married Caroline Bosetti. Their union ended in 2007.
In 1965, Roger and his father started their own company, Roger Medici and Son. That business began with driving log trucks and eventually evolved into Medici Logging, which operated in Westwood for 30 years, employing many members of the community as well as four generations of the Medici family. Roger enjoyed taking his son and daughter to work in the woods with him, and later his grandchildren.
Roger was most at home in the woods, fearless in his endeavors and notorious for his no-nonsense attitude. Roger enjoyed hunting and fishing, and later his hobbies grew to include golfing, gold mining and competitive trap shooting.
He truly enjoyed life and will be remembered by family and friends for his booming laugh, the twinkle in his eye, the pride in his family, his strong work ethic, his crass jokes, his Christmas cioppino, and much more.
He is survived by his brother, Doug Medici (Dina), of Susanville; sister, Beverly Fiscus, of Susanville; daughter, Lisa Medici (Joe Mason), of Westwood; son, Jack Medici (Jane), of Westwood; grandchildren, Christopher Zamora (Veronica), of Sacramento, Shannon Medici-Brinkman (Richard), of Chester, Nick Medici (Lea Moss), of Sacramento, Stevie Lewis (John Cruz), of Susanville, Darrah Culver (Grant), of Lake Almanor, Ellen Medici (Ernesto Flores), of Lake Almanor, Mitch Medici (Adriana Vega), of Reno, Nevada; seven great-grandchildren, as well as his “Main Squeeze,” Judy D’Angelo, of Lake Almanor, and so many other loved and loyal friends whom he cherished like family.
The loss of Roger is like a tree falling in the forest, sudden, unexpected, crushing and shocking; he will be, and already is, deeply missed.
Rosary will be Friday, April 26, at 7 pm, funeral mass April 27, at 1 pm, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Lake Almanor, followed by a reception at the Westwood Community Center.
M’lissa Cassidy Rhode
Born in Portola on Sept. 4, 1957, M’lissa Cassidy unexpectedly left us on April 3, 2019, at her Bungalow Sky West Apartments in Stead, Nevada. The Rhode family, neighbors and friends mourn her passing and will always reflect on her luminary of life.
She is survived by her three brothers, Pete, Tim and Jack Rhode, her daughter, Erinn Cassidy and two grandchildren, Morgan and Daniel.
She always gave more than she took; she never held a grudge, always thought the best and was a great mother and grandmother to her kids, as well as her pets. She put tremendous energy in getting her family back together before her death and she can rest assured her efforts did not go unnoticed, as the family is closer than ever because of her endeavors.
Her delightful personality was only surpassed by her hilarious sense of humor that brought joy and fulfillment to those around her. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten by so many people from the coast of California to the great state of Nevada.
Some of her fondest memories were spent with her brothers on holiday get togethers and Bay Area concerts in the 70s, 80s, 90s and on up to her passage. Peter Frampton, Santana, Sammy Hagar, The Who, Bad Company, Fleetwood Mac were just a few of the concerts she attended while growing up and was the life of the party where ever she attended.
When God made M’lissa, he broke the mold and made her a joker in his kingdom. There was only one M’lissa Cassidy Rhode and there will never be another. She touched so many people in her lifetime as she would give the shirt off her back to anyone as well as help anyone she never met before like an old college roommate.
The Rhode family would like to thank all of those who attended her Celebration of Life this past Thursday, where some friends and family had not seen each other for over 30 years. This speaks volumes to the kind of person M’lissa was in her lifetime and she wouldn’t have had it any other way, as everyone showed up from all over to honor her legacy. When you hear the song Landslide by Fleetwood Mac, please think of M’lissa because that was her song.
We love you sis miss, the best sister, mother and grandmother a family could ever have had.