Brian Marshall Bliss

Pauline Greenup

Joe Frank Vicondoa

Brian Marshall Bliss

Brian passed away on May 16, 2012 in Doyle, Calif. He was born in Susanville, Calif. in 1982 and graduated Lassen High School in 2000. He attended UTI Phoenix, Ariz. and graduated at the top of his class in 2002 (Automotive Mechanics). He then finished his graduation program in Sacramento one year later. After moving back home he worked as an auto mechanic, material handler and logger.

Brian’s true passion was working on friends’ cars and helping them out. He had many hobbies; reading, fishing, gold panning and hiking.

Brian is survived by his mother, Joan Smith; father, Kim Bliss; brother, Jamison Bliss; and his many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Private services were held for Brian at the SIR Church.

Brian was a loving and caring person to family and friends who knew him. He will be missed by all.

Pauline Greenup

Pauline Greenup was born Aug. 6, 1925 in Port Angeles, Wash. Her father was a career Navy man and she was an only child. She passed away suddenly, but peacefully, with her son and daughter-in-law at her side, Sunday, May 27.

Polly spent most of her years as a child in Southern California. As a young 17-year-old she spotted her soon-to-be first husband in his Army uniform on a train in September 1942. By February of the following year they were married and one year later they had a son, Larry. After the war they had a daughter, Kathy. Soon thereafter they were divorced. Later she married her second husband and they had a daughter, Pat.

It is safe to say Polly was one classy lady who loved to dress up and show off her ‘bling.’ So you can imagine what a shock it was for her when, as a young mother of three, she traveled north to Valdez, Alaska to join her husband in 1952. Stepping off the small plane in a fine dress, hat and heels she sank into mud up to her ankles. She often recalled that trip and particularly the two ladies on the plane who were so helpful with her children. She soon found out they were employed in the local red light district. Years later, and divorced, she moved to Kodiak, Alaska where she met and in 1972 married Clem Greenup. Eventually they made it back to his hometown, Darby, Montana, where they resided until his death in 2008. She was then convinced to move to Susanville to be near her son, Larry Rogers and his wife, Gina, in addition to granddaughters, Catherine Schuck and her family also in Susanville and Christine Smith and her family in Reno, Nev.

The past few years Polly resided at Lassen Manor where she really enjoyed interaction with other residents and particularly loved the staff. Very active and enjoying what she called ‘the tarnished golden years,’ she volunteered at a thrift store and did some volunteer work at the hospital, among other things. She was a three-year member of Susanville Elks Lodge Number 1487. Last year she served as Inner Guard and this year was the Lodge Chaplain. She was very proud of her participation, especially after she was awarded third place in the recent northeastern California ritual competition.

Polly is survived by her son, Larry Rogers (Gina), of Susanville, Calif.; daughter, Kathy Seube (Floyd), of Anchorage, Alaska, Pat Fisher (Mike), of Maple Falls, Wash.; in addition to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services for Polly include a Rosary to be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 13 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary. Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at Sacred Heart Church. The family invites everyone to come to the Susanville Elks Lodge following the mass to share memories of their mother and grandmother.

The family also requests donations be made to the Susanville Elks in lieu of flowers.

Joe Frank Vicondoa

Joe Frank Vicondoa, also known as “Uncle Joe,” was a kind, caring and compassionate man who dedicated his life to bringing joy to many of his family and friends. He was born to Fermin Vicondoa and Madeline Ormachea June 9, 1937 at the Potters Maternity Home in Susanville, Calif. His parents were Spanish Basque from the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain. Joe was the first generation born in the United States. He was proud of his Basque roots and participated in many of the cultural events which supported his heritage. Joe grew up in the Honey Lake Valley working on various ranches where he developed his lifelong love for his friends in the ranching community. He graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1955. That year he was voted the student body president, captain of the football team and was also voted the most popular senior boy.

After high school he joined the United States Army where he served for 18 months in Japan. During his tour of duty, Joe was recognized as the Soldier of the Month for 13 months. Upon returning from the military, he married Brenda Jean Ripley, of Susanville. The high school sweethearts moved to Likely, Calif. where they started their first business hauling hay and working as a cowboy for Don Flournoy and truck driver for Walter Sphar. During this time he followed his passion for bull riding and participated in local rodeos. Joe was the father of two children, Tommy Joe Vicondoa and Wynn Renee’ Vicondoa.

In 1970 the Vicondoas purchased the local Granny Goose food distributorship, where he serviced all of Lassen and Plumas Counties. His children worked alongside him during the summer months. After the loss of his daughter, Wynn, he sold his business and he and his wife began their careers as realtors for the Century 21 Cottage Realty office in Susanville. In 1998 they purchased the Century 21 Cottage Realty franchise where he was the realtor and Brenda was the office broker, and his boss. The couple enjoyed a successful career in the industry, while maintaining a happy marriage.

Joe was an avid outdoor enthusiast and he looked forward to his annual deer hunting horseback trips with his brother and friends in the Skedaddle Mountains and enjoyed many hunting trips to other places and states. In the early ‘70s, he fulfilled his racing fantasy as the driver of the number 00 stock car at the fairgrounds racetrack. He was a member of the Alturas and then the Susanville Elks Lodge for 52 years. Joe raised thousands of dollars to support the Elks Special Project, a children’s fund. He was also recognized as the Elks Lodge outstanding member of the year and as an honorary exalted ruler. No matter what he did, Joe strived to do his best and make a positive impact on as many lives as possible. He was dedicated to maintaining the historic Susanville Elks lodge for future generations to enjoy. A master marketer for worthwhile causes, Joe was known to always have tickets for sale in his pockets. Many of his friends knew to just get out their wallets when they saw him coming. His pockets were also known to be full of silver dollars, which he handed out to hundreds of children throughout the years.

Even though he was busy at work and with his family, Joe still managed to find the time to be a longtime active member of the Susanville Rotary Club, the Lassen High School alumni and he was also the former president of the Lassen Association of Realtors. As a proud member of the VFW, he supported the many veterans’ functions and causes. Joe was a huge football fan and a big supporter of the local football teams. He raised lots of money throughout the years for the Elks Lodge and Rotary clubs selling squares in the football pools. Joe loved people and making a difference in their lives.

He had a great smile and a firm handshake and was a man you could trust and depend on to get the job done. Joe was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. Life was not all work and no play. In 2003, the Vicondoas sold the real estate franchise, while Joe remained on as an agent. During the many years in the real estate industry, he won several awards for his service and sales excellence. He really enjoyed helping people find the right home to raise their family in. Joe also enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife to national parks.

While it is difficult to sum up his life into a few short paragraphs, of all his accomplishments, the ones he was most proud of were his love and commitment to his wife of 54 years, his family and the many friends he had throughout the community.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fermin and Madeline Vicondoa; his half-brothers, Martin and Alfred Amestoy; and his daughter, Wynn Renee’ Vicondoa.

He is survived by his wife, Brenda, of Susanville; son, Tommy Vicondoa, of Carson City, Nev.; his brother, Victor Vicondoa, of Standish, Calif.; his sister, Frances Bilbao, of Elko, Nev.; his mother-in-law, Wanda Ripley, of Susanville; and numerous beloved nephews and nieces.

A private family graveside service will be held. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Elks Lodge in Susanville.

In lieu of flowers, Joe would be honored by your loving donation made to the Elks Major Project, which was dear to his heart.

Joe Vicondoa loved life and the Lord and will be greatly missed by his many family and friends.