Janene W. Clark Bates

 Elizabeth “Betty” Sampson Siemer

 Cynthia C. Weston

 Marla Kay (Hildebrand) Gomez

Janene W. Clark Bates   

Janene W. (Clark) Bates passed away peacefully in her home following a brief fight with leukemia on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2010.   

Janene was born in Afton, Wyo., on March 21, 1934 to Milson and Elva Clark. She was the second of seven children including, Elva Delores Slatton, her older sister, and five younger brothers Milson Spencer, Roger W., Dennis Keith, Dee Jay, and John Russell Clark.   

Janene married Monty Westley Bates on April 10, 1950. They made their home in Susanville, Calif., where they raised their six children, Mary Lee (Steve) Shelley, David (Barbara) Bates, Timothy (Lindsey) Bates, Paul (Annette) Bates, Allison (John) Rice, April (Ron) Nicolosi. They are also the loving grandparents of 27 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren as well as several “adopted” family members.   

As a child she enjoyed working on the farm. She was her father’s helper. She spent much of her free time outside playing and riding horses. Her love for the outdoors became even more evident throughout her life. Many memories have been made on the shore of Lake Almanor, in the meadows of Bridge Creek, cutting wood in the forest, and nurturing her yard and garden. Homemade pickles and bread will forever be a favorite of her posterity.   

For 20 years she drove a school bus for the children in the Susanville area. She never liked the driving part, but she loved the children.   

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints she has served her God faithfully. In 1985 she served a mission with her husband in Independence, Mo. Together, they served in the Reno Temple for the past 10 years. She has diligently served in many capacities of the church. Most valiantly, she has served her neighbors, friends and family. Willingly and lovingly, she has served those in need.   

Many lives have been touched by Janene. She has been our foundation. She has quietly lived her life “steadfast and immovable.” She will be missed by many, but we look forward to the day that we will be reunited in eternal life.   

Services were held Feb. 20 in the Mtn. Valley Ward in Standish, Calif.

Elizabeth “Betty” Sampson Siemer   

Elizabeth “Betty” Sampson Siemer passed away peacefully in Reno on Feb. 12 after a brief illness. She was born March 1, 1927 to Col. Charles and Mary Sampson in Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.    

Betty grew up on various Army posts throughout the country. She graduated from University High School and subsequently graduated from the University of Oregon both located in Eugene, Ore.   

Betty married John (Jack) Siemer on Feb. 6, 1954 at the Post Chapel of the Presidio of San Francisco. The newlyweds almost immediately thereafter sailed to Hawaii where Jack pursued a career in the sugar industry. Jack and Betty had three children in Hawaii, two boys and a girl. In 1962, the family moved to Uruguay where Jack managed two sugar plantations. They returned to Hawaii in 1966 and Jack was made manager of Pioneer Sugar Plantation in Lahaina, Maui. Betty became actively involved in voluntary service for the Lahaina Restoration Foundation and managed their bookstore. She also served on the Executive Board of the Girl Scouts Council of the Pacific.   

In 1985 following Jack’s retirement, the couple moved to Susanville and lived on Emerson Lake Golf Course. Betty played her favorite sport early every morning for nearly nine years. They built their dream retirement home in Sedona, Ariz., which they occupied in 1994. They subsequently decided that they wanted to be closer to their children and moved back to Reno, Nev., in 2006. Jack and Betty traveled extensively throughout the world including various stops in the former Eastern European states and landing points on Antarctica.   

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nancy Davis, and her daughter Lesley.   

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Jack; her son Alan; and grandson Christian, of Susanville; and son Geoffrey, and grandson Michael, of Bieber.   

A celebration of life will be held for Elizabeth in Reno, in mid-May. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a favorite charity or to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, 120 Dickenson Street, Lahaina, HI, 96761.

Cynthia C. Weston   

Cynthia C. Weston passed away on Feb. 17, 2010, at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nev. She as born April 2, 1947 in Susanville, Calif., the daughter of the late Charles D. Weston and Lois Weston Marek.   

She is survived by her mother Lois, daughter Bobbie and her husband David Ormachea; grandsons Weston, Brayden, and Evan, of Janesville, Calif.; brother Bill and his wife Lorraine, of Susanville; nieces Amy Quintel, Jennifer Lewis, and Charley Weston; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.   

Cindy was recently associate land planner for the city of Susanville, and had resided in the Sacramento area for many years, working for an engineering firm.    

She received her education in Susanville, and later received a bachelor’s of fine arts degree.   

Her talents were many — having operated a ceramic shop on her return to Susanville in which she taught many local persons the fine art of that craft. Her beautiful paintings and other artistic creations will be treasured by those fortunate enough to posses them.    

She requested that no funeral be held. Family graveside services will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory can be made to Lassen Humane Society.

Marla Kay (Hildebrand) Gomez

Marla Kay (Hildebrand) Gomez, 52 of Susanville, Calif. passed away peacefully, Tuesday evening, Feb. 16, 2010, with family by her bedside at Banner Lassen Medical Center.     

She is now in her eternal home with her Savior, after first battling colon cancer in 2008 and a short battle with pancreatic cancer this year.   

Marla was born July 31, 1957, in Phoenix, Ariz., the youngest of four children born to Dr. William and Martha Hildebrand, formerly of Susanville. She moved to Susanville with her family in 1969 from the desert communities of Parker, Ariz. and Needles, Calif.  She attended local Susanville schools, Diamond View Middle School and Richmond Elementary School and graduated from Lassen High School in 1975. She was married to Gary Gomez, of Janesville, for 28 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Toni Jean and Sara Joy Gomez, of Janesville.   

Marla enjoyed working as a realtor throughout the 1980s, first in Arizona and locally with Heard Realty and Good Real Estate.  She was an avid reader and always had a book close by.  Camping, snow skiing, working with flowers, gardening, and just being outdoors were parts of a perfect day for Marla.     

She loved praising the Lord in song worship at Honey Lake Valley Assembly of God in Janesville. She had a generous heart and loved helping people, this included opening up her home to those needing a place to stay.     

During the 1990s Marla went back to school at Lassen Community College and obtained an associate’s degree in social services/drug and alcohol abuse counseling.  She also had an associate’s degree from Shasta Community College.   

She was preceded in death by her father, William in July 2001 and her mother Martha in November 2003, both of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. 

In passing, Marla leaves two loving daughters, Toni Jean Gomez and Sara Joy Gomez of Janesville; her brothers Bill (Vicki) Hildebrand of Lake Havasu City; Bob (Thelma) Hildebrand of Janesville; sister, Marsha (Darryl) Gardner of Lake Havasu City and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend with a heart of gold.  She will be missed greatly.    

Donations can be made in Marla’s memory to Honey Lake Hospice, 2119 Main Street, Susanville, CA 96130   

Following cremation, a Memorial Service was held at 4:00 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 19, at Honey Lake Valley Assembly of God in Janesville.