Richard Lee Bastiaen

Christopher Lee Ritz

Laurence Eugene Steffgen

Marjorie C. Stone

Dolly Togni

Douglas Lloyd Calkins

Richard Lee Bastiaen
    Richard Lee Bastiaen, 59, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 in Warrenton.
    He was born Jan. 17, 1950 in Susanville, Calif., to Hazel and Cyril Bastiaen. His parents preceded him in death.
    He attended school in Richmond, Calif.
    Mr. Bastiaen worked with R and K Industrial products in Richmond as a machinist, making industrial wheels for about five years. Because of layoffs in 1976, he moved to Oregon with his wife and children. He later worked at Point Adams for three years, then became a park ranger at Fort Stevens State Park in Hammond for five years.
    He married Gigi Jimenez. They later divorced, although he lived with her and her current husband, Harry Thompson for 14 years. They had two sons together, and he was a stepfather to her daughters from a previous marriage.
    Family members said he would do all he could to help others. He loved fishing, hunting, camping and attending family gatherings. He also enjoyed the company of friends and past co-workers.
    He is survived by three daughters and a son-in-law, Carol Carter and Linda and Robert Hernandez, all of Astoria, and Theresa Hartley, of Susanville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Bastiaen Jr., and his wife Dinah, and Michael and Hillary Bastiaen, all of Astoria, five brothers and a sister-in-law, Clinton Bastiaen of Anderson, Calif., Phillip and Chris Lentz and Andrew Cook, of Sandy, Jerry Keil, of Pinole, Calif., and Charles Cook, of Madras; a sister and brother-in-law, Cynthia and Ulas Cooper, of Benica, Calif.; numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
    He was preceded in death by three brothers, James “Punky” Bastiaen and Jack and Michael Keil.
    Visitation was held Friday at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria.
    A celebration of life potluck was at Fort Stevens State Park at Coffenbury Lake, Shelter C.
    He was cremated and his ashes were scheduled to be scattered in Gold Beach at Kissing Rock along with his companion Toby.
    Memorial contributions may be given to the Clatsop County Humane Society, in care of Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, Ore., 97103.

Christopher Lee Ritz
    Christopher Lee Ritz passed away on Nov. 14, 2009. Chris was born in San Francisco, Calif., on April 22, 1971. He was a 1989 graduate of Lassen High School and attended both Lassen Community College and the University of Nevada Reno. Chris pursued his EMT then Paramedic license and found his true calling. He was in love with the EMS field and flying in the helicopter and fixed wing aircraft was always his passion.
    Chris recently described himself as a dad, Cub Scout leader, school board member, and full-time paramedic. Being a dad and spending time with his son Kenton was his “#1 favorite thing to do.” As he said, he would rather spend time with Kenton on his time off than anything else.
    Chris worked as the Chief Flight Paramedic for Mountain Lifeflight, taught CPR and first aid courses to the students at Lassen High School and volunteered his time with the “Every 15 Minutes” program in Lassen County. In addition to his Cub Scout Den Leader duties with Pack 159 in Susanville, he was recently elected as a school board member for the Susanville School District.
    Chris is survived by his son Kenton Ritz, of Susanville, his parents Joe and Sue Ritz, of Janesville, Calif.; his brother and sister-in-law Brian (BJ) and Heather McGrew-Ritz, of Petaluma, Calif., his grandmother Kay Ritz, of Santee, Calif., uncle Tom Ritz and wife Kathleen, of La Mesa, Calif., his aunt, Cate Bozarth, of Leverett, Mass., as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
    Chris’ extended family included Brandy Miller Speiker and her husband Mark, of Susanville, and their children Jordayne Miller, Brandon Speiker, John Paul Speiker and Jessica Speiker.
    He will be missed by many in the community and was loved by all for his sense of humor and devotion to his son.
    Services for Chris were held Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at the Susanville Assembly of God Church, Susanville, Calif., Following the services, a memorial for the victims of the crash was held at the Susanville Airport.

Laurence Eugene Steffgen
    Laurence Eugene Steffgen, 88, passed away in Reno, Nev. on Nov. 12, 2009. He was born on Aug. 20, 1921 to Henry Steffgen and Claire Spohn in Geneva, Neb.
    After he graduated high school in 1939, Laurence attended trade school in Chicago. In 1941 Laurence went to work for the government in Panama then joined the Navy while there.
    After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Laurence remained working for the government in Panama for a total of 12 years. He returned to the United Sates were he traveled for sometime and started work at the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, Calif. After 12 years in Herlong he moved to Tracy, Calif., and started work for the Defense Depot Tracy as an Engineering Technician.
    After his retirement, Laurence moved to Eagle Lake and built his home. In 1984 he married Dorothy Arnold and they both resided at Eagle Lake until his passing. 
    Laurence is survived by his wife of 25 years, Dorothy; his stepson David (Joyce) Melville; stepdaughter Susan; his grandson Jason (Jamie) Sussdorf; nephew Edward Fiegenbaum and numerous other nieces and nephews.
    Per Laurence’s wishes no service are to be held. Memorial donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing.

Marjorie C. Stone
    Marjorie C. Stone, 86, of Red Bluff passed away on Nov. 11, 2009 at her home with her loved ones by her side. Born in Ima, New Mexico to Harry and Lilly Cain. She was the last student to graduate in Ima, then the school was closed. She served two years in the Navy and was stationed at Alemeda, Calif. She was married 40 years to Walter Stone, of Susanville and Eagle Lake.
    She owned the Del Mar Beauty Shop in Susanville for 20 years. Marge was a wonderful cook and a great gardener who could make anything grow. She also loved to play guitar and the keyboard at family gatherings.
    Survivors are daughters April (Rob) Eastman, of Red Bluff, Nedda Stone, of Washington, and son Robert Stone, of Susanville, five grandchildren, 13, great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, also a wonderful neighborhood of friends both in Susanville and Red Bluff.
    She was preceded in death by her brother J.W. Cain.
    Services are pending. Burial will be with her husband in Susanville. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society.

Dolly Togni
    Our loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother Dolly Togni passed away on Nov. 1, 2009 after a brief illness. Dolly was born on Jan. 21, 1925 in Cugnasco, Canton Ticino, Switzerland to Gualtiero Masciorini and Maria Braghetta Masciorini.
    She immigrated to California in 1948 where she later met and married Arnold Togni, the love of her life for 59 years. They resided in King City and then Greenfield where she enjoyed her life raising a family and being a homemaker and farmer’s wife.
    In 1980 Arnold and Dolly moved to Eagle Lake in Northern California where they relished 29 wonderful years by the lake. Dolly’s passion was cooking, and she derived great satisfaction from seeing the enjoyment people got from eating her delicious meals and desserts. Also, she as blessed with a natural artistic talent that was expressed through her numerous paintings of Swiss scenery, the Matterhorn being her favorite.
    Dolly was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ben Masciorini, and Mike Togni.
    She is survived by her devoted husband Arnold Togni, of Eagle Lake, Calif.; sister Gianna Pura, of Greenfield; daughter Nancy Lester (Boyd), of Roseville, Calif.; sons Walter Togni, of Eagle Lake, and Martin Togni  (Anne), of San Diego, Calif., granddaughter Danielle Lester, of Lincoln, Calif., grandsons Matthew and Brendan Togni, of San Diego, Calif., as well as many nieces and nephews.
    Our dear Dolly will be forever remembered in our hearts and her love for use will carry us through until we all meet again.
    A private memorial service was held with immediate family members.

Douglas Lloyd Calkins
    Douglas Lloyd Calkins, 60, died on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at his residence in Westwood, Calif. He was born on Oct. 23, 1949 in California.
    He is survived by his daughter Megan Piscitello and husband Michael, of Rohnert Park, Calif.; brother Kevin Calkins, of Sun Valley, Nev.; brother-in-law Bob Ebersole, of Santa Rosa, Calif.; niece Katherine Calkins, of Sun Valley; nephews Michael and Brian Ebersole, of Santa Rosa; grandson Michael Piscitello III, of Rohnert Park.
    Services in Santa Rosa are pending at this time.