Life Tributes for the week of 10/9/18

Larry Dale Helt

Larry Helt was born in Dodge City, Kansas Aug. 9, 1944 and passed from this life peacefully Sept. 26, 2018 at his home in Susanville. He was preceded in death by his father, Russ; his mother, Roma; and his sister, Cheryl. He is survived by his wife, Mary; five children, Christina, (Renn) Abbott, Ron (Kim) Helt, Julie (Mark) Chroust, Laura (Gabe) Whitney, Jennifer Helt; and stepson, Casey Bouchard. He loved them all very dearly and held his 17 grandchildren close to his heart. He had three great-grandchildren and another due any day.

Larry’s family settled in Southern California when he was very young, and he grew up in the Glendale, Montrose and Tujunga areas. In 1965, he married Lorraine Chafee. As they raised their children, they relocated to Grover Beach, Lake Almanor and on to Susanville in 1976. In 1994, their marriage ended, but not their mutual respect for each other and as parents to their children.
In 1999, he and Mary Grimes Bouchard were wed and enjoyed every day they had with each other and all of the children they shared.

Larry loved spending time with his children, whether it was working on cars, wood-cutting, going to museums, water parks, fishing trips, barbeques on the patio, ping pong challenges, bowling, boating; anything and everything. When his children were involved, it was all time well spent.  He loved to watch the 49ers, and though he cut his eye teeth on the Dodgers, the Giants did catch his eye after he lived in Susanville for a few years. Later on, his passions were bowling and golf, which he and Mary shared for the years they had together.

He had a huge heart, always a smile and a twinkle in his eye. He was a man of balance, optimism, strength, courage and grace. He knew his priorities and lived a good life. He set a fine example and will live in our hearts always.

Services will be held at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. A potluck gathering will follow at the Monticola Club across the street. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Honey Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanville, California, 96130 or Northern California Cancer Advocates, P.O. Box 270938, Susanville, California 96127, or a charity of your choice.

Stanley Dawson Arnold
Stanley Dawson Arnold died Sept. 22 , 2018 at age 86. Dawson, the only child of Stan Arnold and Almida Lindquist, was born and raised in Susanville. He spent his formative years at the Fruit Growers Story Club, where his father was manager. He developed lifelong fond memories of that place and those who worked at the mill.

In 1953 Dawson joined the U.S. Army, serving in Korea as a cryptographer. Following his discharge, he studied history at the University of Nevada, earning a bachelor of arts in 1957. He then studied law in San Francisco, earning a bachelor of law degree at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in 1960. Shortly thereafter he returned to Susanville to help in his father’s law practice. Dawson spent most of his career as Lassen County Counsel, but it was his last job as court commissioner that he described as his favorite.

Dawson enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He was particularly fond of stream fishing with lures. He enjoyed sailing and spent many summer days on Eagle Lake. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Bill; a grandson; and a granddaughter. A memorial will be held at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary in Susanville at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27.

Sheryl Linn Packwood

Sheryl Linn Packwood passed away on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, at Health Deaconess Hospital in Bozeman, Montana where she had been taken by helicopter for injuries suffered when she was thrown from her horse in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness just north of Yellowstone National Park. She was 73.

Shery was born March 25, 1945, in Susanville, California to Glenn and Gladys Johnson. She graduated from Lassen High School in 1963 and attended California State University, Chico for two years. She married her high school sweetheart and lifetime soul mate, Jan Packwood, on Dec. 18, 1965.
Shery and Jan began married life together in West Germany where Jan was a second lieutenant in the United States Army. After two years in Germany, Jan was deployed to Vietnam, and Shery returned to Susanville, pregnant with their first child, Lane.

Following an additional year of active duty in New Jersey, the young family moved to Boise in the spring of 1970 where Jan began his 45-year career with Idaho Power Company. They would have a second son, Cole, and eventually five grandchildren, James, Matt, Isaac, Jacob and Megan.

Friends and family can recount to no end Sheryl’s extraordinary capacity for love, loyalty and generosity. New friends, old friends, family by birth, family by marriage, it made no difference to her; if there was anyway to speak a kind word, extend an invitation, host a stay over, or share a meal. Shery defined herself by the love she gave others, and she touched so many lives with that love. Perhaps only now with her passing is the full measure of it beginning to become clear. To say she will be missed does not do justice to the loss those of us close to her will feel for a very long time.

Sheryl is survived by her husband, Jan Packwood; and her two sons, and their spouses, Lane, Katie, Cole and Anne-Marie, all living in Boise, Idaho. A private memorial service is planned.