Life Tributes for the week of 5/16/18

Thomas “Tom” Forster

Thomas (Tom) Forster, of Plumas Eureka Estates, passed away suddenly in Reno, Nevada, on May 6, 2018, after a brief illness.

A fourth generation native of Marin County, Tom was born on March 27, 1958, at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae to Jack and Diane Forster.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Maureen Forster; his mother, Diane Forster; older sister, Lynn Sogoian, of Red Bluff; younger brother, Dan Forster (Ania), of Sydney, Australia; and younger sister, Pam Rosa (Kevin), of Petaluma; and stepdaughters, Michelle (Jim) Kossivas, of Navarro, and Chritsine (Richard) DeRienzo, of Spain.

He was pre-deceased by his father Jack Forster.

Tom was raised in Corte Madera and attended the Larkspur Corte Madera School District. Graduating from Redwood High School in 1976, he was an avid member of Redwood Crew, the precursor to today’s Marin Rowing Association. He completed ROTC Training during this time and received accreditation at the former Hamilton Air Force Base. Tom was a graduate of College of Marin, California State University, Chico and the University of San Francisco where he earned a master’s degree in human resources and organizational development.

Tom was instrumental in the development of Skywalker Ranch. He was a longtime director of operations and facilities, responsible for the design and construction of the emergency response system, fire protection, security, guest lodging, food services and daily operations of the property. He developed and served for over 20 years as the fire chief of the Skywalker Ranch Fire Brigade.

Tom was in the fourth of five generations of extended family in fire service. He grew up with a strong admiration of both his father, Jack Forster, and grandfather, Frank Nelson, whose commitment to their community as volunteer fire fighters was unwavering. Amongst many other positions including police chief, Frank Nelson served Corte Madera as volunteer fire chief for 43 years.

Tom was determined to follow in their footsteps and was a volunteer with Larkspur Fire. Most recently, he was the fire chief for Plumas Eureka Fire Department, a volunteer position, just as his role models had served. His family’s service has totaled over 270 years and counting. Tom served as the secretary/ treasurer of the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association, he shared his knowledge of firefighting as an active participant in Quincy’s Fire’s Regional Fire Academy and numerous state certified courses throughout the state. Tom also served as chairman of the California State Firefighter’s Association for Volunteer Firefighters.

Tom was a longtime instructor at the California Fire Academy at Monterey Bay and taught for the Santa Rosa Junior College Fire Technology program. He was an active member of the fire community having serviced with Marin Sonoma Fire Training Officers Association and the Larkspur Firefighters Association. Tom served on the board of the North Bay Leadership Council, the Marin County Disaster Council, the Marin Conservation Corps and the Marin Center Renaissance Partnership.

Tom’s passion as an avid fire service historian is exemplified in the work he did on the Marin Fire History project for the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, which can be found at marinfirehistory.org. A tribute to his dedication to public service and leadership is witnessed in The Tom Forster Leadership Award established in 2015.

Tom loved mentoring others and enjoyed walks with his loving wife, Maureen and their many dogs over the years.

A celebration of Tom’s life is planned for June 9, at 11 a.m. at the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds. The family asks that any remembrances in Tom’s memory be made to either High Sierra Animal Rescue, or the Plumas Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 53, Quincy, CA 95971.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Karyn Marie Gans

Longtime Lake Almanor West resident, Karyn Marie Gans passed from this life peacefully, with her family at her side at Enloe Regional Medical Center, located in Chico, on Friday afternoon May 4, 2018.

Born in Los Angeles on March 28, 1959, to Ohio natives Victor and Jean (Zarko) Bridge, she was raised and educated in southern California graduating high school from Canoga Park High as a member of the Class of 1977. She went on to continue her education at the community college level.

After being introduced to a handsome young gentleman, Robert Gans, at a friend’s wedding, the couple was later united in matrimony in Campbell, in April of 1983. Karyn had one child, named Tucker and two stepsons, Rob, and Tim, whom she loved and cared for dearly. First and foremost a loving wife and mother, Karyn’s professional life consisted of a 31-year career as a personnel benefits specialist.

Karyn had a great love of the outdoors where she enjoyed boating, fishing and snowmobiling as well as taking walks with her dogs. Her friends and family were of utmost important to her, as she loved socializing.

In her passing, Karyn leaves her best friend and loving husband for the past 35 years, Bob Gans, of Lake Almanor West; sons, Tucker, of Chico, and Rob, of Boise, Idaho; a brother, Ron Bridge; sisters, Barbara Estright, Judy Mans and Darlene Moran. Her outgoing personality led her to have a host of dear friends.

She was pre-deceased by her son Tim. Karyn has been reunited with her son Timothy in their eternal home, who passed from this life in 2014.

Roman Catholic Blessing Services will take place at the crypt side in the Chester District Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and will be followed by a celebration of Karyn’s life at the Chester Lake Almanor Elks Lodge. An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.

Archie W. Harrell

Archie W. Harrell was born Dec. 14, 1926, to Brent L. and Mable B. Harrell in Gadsden, Alabama.

He was preceded in death by his wife of almost 25 years, Jackie and his brothers Fred and John.

Archie grew up in Gadsden and was the bass drummer in junior high and high school. He worked in the funeral business during high school and when he returned from the Navy.

In 1944, Archie enlisted in the USNR. He attended boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois. After boot camp he went to the San Francisco receiving station and eventually shipped out to the Philippine Islands Naval Base in Subic Bay. He returned to the states in 1946 and went to Memphis, Tennessee, to be honorably discharged in 1946. In 1951 he moved to Hawthorne, Nevada, and worked for the US Navy Storage Ammo Base as certified weigh master. In 1965 he transferred to Stead AFB in Reno, Nevada, working in the tech order section and then the Crash-Rescue Fire Department as a horseman. He was later promoted to rescue operator in charge of aircraft crash barrier on the runway.

After the announcement that Stead AFB would close in 1966, Archie joined the Reno Fire Department in November of 1965. He worked as a horseman for five years and then entered the Fire Prevention Bureau. He retired from the Reno Fire Department in 1985.

When Archie was younger he was an avid fisherman and golfer.

Archie is survived by his daughter, Janine Elise Kopping, of Petaluma and his stepchildren, Brian Spell, of Sacramento, formerly of Reno, and Susan (Spell) Wedige, of LaVista, Nebraska, plus five step-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren and three nephews.

A memorial service will be held for Archie Saturday, May 19, at 1 p.m. in the Graeagle Community Church with Pastor Mike Preston officiating in Graeagle. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the High Sierra Animal Rescue of Portola. Arrangements entrusted to Manni Funeral Home of Portola.

Talat Mahmood

Former well-known Quincy resident and businessman, Talat Mahmood died unexpectedly at his home in Bellevue, Nebraska, on Saturday, May 5, 2018. He was born in Pakistan on March 2, 1964. Talat was 54.

Talat and his family lived in Quincy from 2000-07, where he managed the Chevron and Union 76 service stations for his uncles.

In 2007, he was ready for a change and decided it was time to go into business for himself, so he packed up his family and relocated to Nebraska where he owned and operated both a service station and a grocery store.

Talat was an active member and director of the Quincy Rotary Club and Quincy Chamber of Commerce. He was also a generous supporter when it came to local service clubs and organizations and was especially fond of Feather River College’s athletic department and its students.

Talat will be remembered for his keen since of humor, his generosity and his deep appreciation for the American way of life. He was a loyal friend who would do just about anything for anybody. From the first time you walked into his store, Talat’s smile and outgoing personality made you feel like you’d known him forever. He was also a devoted San Francisco 49er fan and was one to never shy away from a friendly wager.

Talat leaves behind his wife, Sameena; and his son Zain Ali Talat and his wife Amna.

The family wants to especially thank Cindy Cook for donating one of her kidneys to Talat, which helped prolong his life.

Family services were held in Pakistan.

Angela Joel Norton (Hauso)

Angela Joel Norton (Hauso) passed away Monday, April 30, 2018, at Renown Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones.

Angela was born March 15, 1966, in Santa Cruz to her parents Michael and Linda Hauso. In 1970, they moved their family to Portola where she lived the majority of her childhood and graduated from Portola High School in 1984. After high school, she moved to the Bay Area, where she married Dene Norton. Together they had two daughters. She moved home to beautiful Portola, where she met Wade in 1995. After their first trip to Fort Bragg, it was love and they never left each other’s side.

Angela had a love of food and cooking. She worked in numerous restaurants through her life. She had opened her own businesses: Ang’s Fat Bottom Grill and Hungry Dawg. Through those business endeavors, she was able to be her adventurous, out-going self at many local events.

She enjoyed spontaneous adventures such as concerts, rodeos, solar cook-offs, festivals, music in the park, fairs and road trips with Wade and her dogs Tillie and Luna. She also enjoyed family dinners with her daughters, grandchildren and dogs.

In passing Angela leaves her spouse of 23 years, Wade Ball; her two daughters Chelsey Williams and Nicole Norton; her mother, Linda Hauso, brother, Michael Hauso Jr., nephew Uriah Hauso; adopted daughter, Shannon Workman; and her four loved grandchildren, Emily, Jocelyn, Bella and Bo.

She was preceded in death by her loving father, Michael Hauso Sr. and her grandson Clyde Williams.

Graveside service was held at Whispering Pines at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. A Celebration of Life immediately followed at Portola City Park. Service provided by dear friend, Greg Marr, of Manni Funeral Home.