Obituaries for the week of 11/29/16

David Masoner

David Raymond Masoner, 64, of Janesville, California, was born Oct. 29, 1952 to James and Helen Masoner in Pasadena, California, and passed away Nov. 17, 2016 at Renown Hospital in Reno, Nevada.

David was a father, brother, firefighter and friend to all. Not only was he a firefighter in his career, but also in his heart and soul.

He began his career as an engineer in the army and moved on to work for the forest service. After that, he found his true calling with the Sierra Army Depot as a fire fighter where he spent the next 30 years advancing his career before retiring as the chief.

Besides loving his career, David enjoyed golfing, listening to and quoting Johnny Cash, going on vacation, spending time with his kids, grandchildren, great granddaughter and this very large firefighter family and buddies.

David is survived by his four children, Melissa Masoner, Jereme Masoner, Mitchell Masoner and Jeffery Masoner; two grandchildren, Courtney Jackson and Dallas Masoner; a great granddaughter, Ava Faye Jackson; two brothers, Jimmy Masoner and Wayne Masoner; three nephews; a niece; and a very large firefighter family.

Services will be held Dec. 3 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary. Viewing will be 9 a.m. to noon with services beginning at noon, followed by graveside services at the Janesville Cemetery.

Kathryn Marie Rankin

Kathryn Marie (Stewart) Rankin, 76, died Sept. 27, 2016 at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada from complications of heart failure with her children at her side.

Kathryn was born on June 14, 1940 in Susanville, California to Otis “Buzz” and Jessie (Silva) Stewart.

Kathryn graduated from Lassen High School in 1958 where she excelled in sports and was an avid swimmer. She learned to play and was quite skilled with the accordion. She loved to drive and could be seen flying down the highway in her Chevy Corvair. After graduation, she went to work for Citizen’s Utilities as a telephone operator.

In 1965, she moved to Sacramento, California where she worked as a secretary for United California Bank in the real estate and acquisitions division.

She moved back to Susanville in 1967 and soon married her one true love, Jerry Rankin, in 1968.

Kathryn stayed home to raise her two children. Her family meant the most to her and she was always the caregiver to family members in need. She provided childcare and loved having her siblings, relatives, children, friends and neighbors in her home. Coffee was always brewing at the ready for conversation at the kitchen table or on the telephone party line.

In 1979, she returned to work at Citizen’s Utilities until her retirement in 1996.

Kathryn relocated to Longmont, Colorado; San Marcos, California; and San Diego, California before returning to Susanville in 2012.

Kathryn enjoyed bowling, especially with her children and grandson. She loved traveling with her family and visited all of the western United States and British Columbia, Canada. She traveled to several European countries and the Caribbean.

She loved music and could be heard in the kitchen humming her favorite tunes while preparing her specialty “Eye”talian meal of Spaghetti Bolognese. Kathryn was at her happiest with and took great pride in her three precious grandchildren London, Chase and Sienna.

Kathryn is survived by her two children and their spouses, Regina and John Schaap II, of Susanville; Lance and Michelle Rankin; and grandchildren, London, Chase and Sienna, of Paradise Valley, Arizona; her brothers, Bruce Stewart, of Charleston, South Carolina, and Jimmy Stewart, of Sacramento, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents; ex-husband Jerry Rankin; brother, Otis Jr.; and sister, Sally (Stewart) Fain.

At her request, there were no services, but her family will celebrate her life at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the Rankin Family, C/O Regina Schaap, PO Box 1885, Susanville, CA 96130.