Obituaries for the week of 2/15/17

Barbara Louise Elsken

Barbara Louise Elsken was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Jan. 29, 2017. Barbara was born
on Aug. 21, 1924, in San Francisco.

Barbara attended UC Berkeley and met the love of her
life, Richard (Dick) Elsken, while a student there. Dick and Barbara married and spent 70 wonderful
years together until Dick’s passing in 2015.

Dick and Barbara moved to Walnut Creek to start
their family of three sons, Thomas G. Elsken, Timothy R. Elsken, of Martinez, and Andrew J.
Elsken, of Quincy. Barbara was a devoted housewife and mother while the boys were growing up, volunteering in their schools and taking care of the family. After the boys were grown, Barbara
attended Cal State Hayward to pursue her teaching credential. Dick and Barbara then moved to Quincy
in 1980 and built their home there. Barbara was a teacher’s aide in the local schools and active in the
local AAUW chapter and United Methodist Women. Barbara and Dick were among those who founded
the Community Assistance Network (CAN) and the Community Supper.

Barbara is survived by her sons, Tim and Andy; daughter-in-laws, Paula, Denise and Julie; her grandsons, Rick, Brian and Tim; her granddaughters, Sierra, Hayley and Katherine; and her great-grandchildren, Mason, Domonic and Aurora.

Her husband, Dick and her son, Tom, along with her brother, Walter and sister-in-law, Darlene were waiting to greet her upon her arrival in heaven.

If anyone would like to make a donation in Barbara’s honor or in lieu of sending flowers, Barbara would have wanted those donations made to the Community Assistance Network, P.O. Box 1796, Quincy, CA
95971.

Barbara’s celebration of life services will be held at Community United Methodist Church, 282 Jackson St., Quincy, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m., with burial following at the Quincy Cemetery. Following the burial, a reception will be held at the church, where we can all gather and share the
wonderful memories of her life.

An opportunity to express condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at HYPERLINK “http://www.fehrmanmortuary.com/”fehrmanmortuary.com.

Avalon (Lorraine) McClain

Avalon (Lorraine) McClain peacefully passed away, surrounded by her daughter Robin, granddaughter Jessy and pictures of all of her beloved animals, on Feb. 2 in Petaluma.

Avalon was born on Oct. 31, 1921, in Palo Alto. She grew up in San Francisco with her sister Wanda. During her youth, she spent most of her free time swimming at Sutro Baths where her mother taught swimming. She and her sister performed synchronized swimming.

Avalon moved to Plumas County in 1958 with her five children. She worked at Plumas County Social Services from 1960 to 1983. After retirement, she lived on Clough Street in East Quincy where she enjoyed walking the neighborhoods two to three times each day. She loved to tell us that she knew the name of every dog on her walk but she could never remember the names of the owners.

Avalon moved to Petaluma in 2010 to be near her daughter Robin. She continued her walking routine and love of animals well past her 95th birthday.

Avalon is survived by her sister Shirley (Jim), of Bend, Oregon; her children, Chuck (Linda), of Carpenteria, Jim, of Quincy, Mikki (Duane), of Powell, Wyoming, and Robin, of Petaluma. She is also survived by grandchildren Michael McClain, Lisa Kincade, Shamika Cleveland, James Mathias, Maggi Sloniger, Sarah Allison, Jennifer Chard and Jessica Paisley, as well as great-grandchildren Liam Mathias, Bryce Mathias, Cameron Mathias, Winifred Mathias, Malia Cleveland, Tyler Cleveland, Gage Sloniger, Mason Sloniger, Jordan Chard, Jayce Chard, Sebastian Paisley and new baby Paisley, due this summer (she was quite excited about this impending addition), as well as many nieces and nephews.

Avalon was predeceased by her son, George McClain and her sister, Wanda Hanson.

Upon her wishes, there will be no memorial service. Her ashes will be scattered at a private location this spring. The family can be contacted at this address: 372 McBrown Rd., Petaluma, CA 94952.

Ronald G. Raap

Clio resident Ronald G. Raap died on Jan. 13, 2017, in Reno, Nevada. He was born Aug. 2, 1952, in San Luis Obispo.

Ronald is survived by Sherrie Crumpler, of Malibu, Linda Kramer, of Lafayette and Will Raap, of Shelburne, Vermont.

Funeral or memorial service information is yet to be determined.

Donations can be made to High Sierra Animal Rescue.