Obituaries for the week of 7/19/17
Darrell Carlson
Darrell Carlson was called home by his heavenly Father on June 19, 2017. He was born on June 2, 1940. His parents were Henry and Evelyn Carlson. His siblings were Janice Miller and four younger brothers, Duane, Randy, Brian and Garry Carlson and many nieces and nephews.
We will all miss Darrell’s compassionate and endearing ways.
Our gentle giant, Darrell, owned Lake Almanor Inn for many years, starting in April 1997. He retired to Wildwood Village in Chester. He was a great friend to everyone he met. He enjoyed being activity director there, using his talents to have fun and see that all were cared for.
Darrell was born in Minnesota and moved to California when he was 7 years old. He grew up in San Lorenzo Village. He graduated from Arroy High in 1958.
He has been a community leader wherever he has lived, involved in Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, photography and traveling
Teresa Madsen
Teresa Madsen, age 63, went to be with the Lord July 3, 2017, in Austin, Texas, while visiting her daughter, granddaughters, and son-in-law.
She was born on Oct. 12, 1953, in Southern California. She moved from Lakewood with her husband Bill, they would’ve been married 35 years on July 10, to Chester in 2011.
She bravely fought cancer for three years, overcoming endless odds. In the three years she battled cancer, she lived life in the fullest, developing a special bond with her 3-year-old and 1-year-old granddaughters, and was able to go to Disneyland several times.
She enjoyed camping and off-roading with her husband along with spending time with her granddaughters (especially tea parties and baking). She made several trips to Austin, Texas, while going through treatment. She enjoyed volunteering and attending at Lake Almanor Community Church and had many great friendships there.
She will be remembered for her sweet, caring, loving personality, contagious smile and strong faith.
Cheryl Ann Miller
Cheryl Ann Miller, 61, of Greenville, formerly of Quincy, died on July 8, 2017.Born on Dec. 22, 1955, in San Diego, to loving parents Richard and Shirley Ward.
Cherylisbeing reunited with her older sister Christine Salazar.
Cheryl had azest for life and a great love of the mountains. She loved the quiet and simplistic peace the mountains gave her. Whether she was taking a walk in the woods around her home with her dog, swimming in the creeks or taking camping trips, she was at home in her heart. She would often refer to Quincy as the “Big City” and preferred the sounds of rushing water and the squeaks of chipmunks over people and traffic.
Cheryl enjoyed spending time with her friends and long talks to her children and grandchildren.
Cheryl is survived by her parents, Richard and Shirley Ward, of Quincy and her younger siblings, Crystal “Sue” Miller, of Washingtonand Douglas Hunt, of Quincy.
She leaves behind three daughters and one son: Jacqueline Jones, of Virginia, Jessica Cushman, of Illinois, Angelique Graham, of Nevada and Michael Miller, of Washington. She also leaves eight grandchildren: Devin Jones, Brenton Jones, Briana Jones, Roman Sheppard, Cameron James, McKenzie Graham, Decklen Miller and Mia Miller.
Cheryl requested to be cremated and to have a simple gathering in the woods. This celebration of her life will take place on Sunday, July 23, at Deanes Valley Campground from 1 – 3 p.m. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend. Arrangements entrusted to Manni Funeral Home of Portola.
LaVerne Joyce (Ames) Olding
LaVerne Joyce (Ames) Olding died Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Paradise Ridge Post-Acute in Paradise. She was born on Aug. 30, 1928, in Oakland.
She is survived by her sister, Wanda Ames, of Paradise; daughters, Clare Steppat, of Reno, Nevada, Jolaine Polkinghorne, of Paradise; and son, William (Bill) Olding, of Klamath Falls, Oregon.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, at Calvary Chapel-Paradise, 14388 Dogtown Road, Magalia, CA 95954.
Donations can be made to fight Parkinson’s at michaeljfox.org or The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Donation Processing, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
Arrangements by Rose Chapel, Paradise, CA, (530) 877-4923, Colleen Sweeney.
Donald Noel O’Rourke
Donald Noel O’Rourke was received by our Father in heaven on June 19, 2017. Don was born to Clyde and Jessie O’Rourke on Aug. 31, 1936, in Delleker.
He was preceded in death by his loving sister Fern Shields, of Fallon, Nevada, and by his baby daughter Debera Dawn O’Rourke, of Clio.
Don Grew up in Clio, and spent his life in both Plumas and Sierra Counties. He loved this valley and counted himself lucky to call it his home. He was a truck driver and a mechanic.
Don is survived by his loving children, Tamra, Kim, Brandi, Cherié, Patrick and Joel. Don also leaves behind 19 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He was a loving father and a great man. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Louise Deaigh Sheets
Louise Deaigh Sheets, 85, of Buda, Texas, passed away on July 4, 2017. She was born Dec. 30, 1931, to William and Hazel Deaigh, in Ft. Worth, Texas.
After graduating high school, Louise attended Texas Christian University and graduated with degrees in music education. Louise’s teaching career took place in northern California, as a music teacher and she eventually taught kindergarten full time.
Louise had many hobbies. She loved to travel, play the piano, as music was a big part of her love of life, she enjoyed attending live performances and was very active in church and Friendship Force activities. She will be dearly missed by those who knew her.
Louise was preceded in death by her parents and her husband (Casper) John Sheets.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories her children son, Jeffrey David Sheets and daughter, Arden Gail (Sheets) Gillberg, step-children, Barry Sheets, Greta Mulcoy, Debi Kent, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to acknowledge and give thanks to the staff at Sodalis Memory Care in Buda, Texas, for the care of their mother.
Cremation funeral services have been entrusted to Harrell Funeral Home in Kyle, Texas. A private memorial service will be held at a later date in California where she lived the greater part of her life. Please visit and sign the online guest book at harrellfuneralhomes.com.
Jacqueline Dolores Violett
Jacqueline Dolores Violett (nee Garcia) passed away in Sacramento on July 7, 2017. Born in Berkeley on June 3, 1928, and raised in El Cerrito, she was the daughter of Elsa and Jack Garcia and sister to Ramon and Phillip Garcia.
She was married to Lt. Col. Richard E. Violett (now deceased) for 54 years, mother of Paul Violett (Michele) and grandmother of Zachary (Stephanie), Phillip (Patricia) and Sara Violett. She loved her grandchildren deeply.
After Richard’s retirement, the Violetts enjoyed 25 summers of fun in Graeagle, primarily spent golfing. After selling their home in Greaegle, Jackie enjoyed spending her early morning hours working out with a group of friends at the Del Norte Country Club. These friends helped Dick and Jackie in their later years.
Jackie took great pride in keeping an immaculate home, where a celebration of her life will be held the afternoon of July 22.
She was loved and will be missed by her family and friends. By request, no services will be held. Remembrances can be directed to the Salvation Army or Loaves and Fishes.
Paul Walsh
Paul Walsh was born on April 29, 1950, in Linden.
He moved to Westwood in 1974 to help run the Green Door with his partner, Janice McGinnis and their friend, Ron Spencer, from the San Francisco Bay Area.
His death early in the morning of Saturday, July 8, 2017, has shocked his friends. A celebration of his life will be planned for a later date.
Herbert Bartlett Weslar
Herbert Bartlett Weslar went to be with our Lord on Nov. 25, 2016. Born Oct. 6, 1943, in Berkeley, he was the son of Bartlett and Mary (Washburn) Weslar.
Herb and his high school sweetheart, Sharon Dias Weslar, celebrated 50 years of marriage in April 2016. A graduate of El Cerrito High School (1961) and San Francisco State University, he later earned his master’s degree in biology from CSU Hayward. Herb devoted his career to teaching, retiring in 2000 from West Contra Costa School District after over 30 years as a science and independent studies teacher.
Herb and Sharon spent his retirement years traveling and living in Lake Almanor West. Herb enjoyed driving his 1965 Mustang convertible and he loved the outdoors: backpacking, gardening, fishing and even snowmobiling with the Lake Almanor Snowmobile Club long after retirement.
Herbert was a proud member of the Pinole Exchange Club, the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Lake Almanor Community Church and the Lake Almanor Snowmobile Club.
He will be deeply missed by his loving and devoted wife, Sharon; daughter, Deborah and husband Sig Lokensgard; daughter, Deanna and husband Gary Flacke; sister, Pamela and husband Edwin Grubbé; cousin Joanne Fording, of Chester; and the grandchildren in whom he took such pride, Luke, Micah and Alyssa Anne.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lake Almanor West Recreation Park (177 Lake Almanor West Drive). The family respectfully asks that any contributions in memory of Herbert be made to the Seneca Hospital Auxiliary at PO Box 160, Chester, CA 96020, or to the West Almanor Fire Fighters, at 947 Long Iron Drive, Chester, CA 96020.