Obituaries for the week of 12/13/16
Phyllis Abernathy
Phyllis Maxine Abernathy, 76, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016 at Banner Lassen Medical Center. Phyllis was born Nov. 29, 2940 in Sheridan, Wyoming, to Lafayette and Amelia Grooms.
She moved to Lassen County approximately 72 years ago and has been a lifelong resident since that time, where all three of her sons were raised. She took up residence in Janesville in 1966 where she spent her remaining years.
Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Justin, and five of her siblings.
She is survived by her brothers, Archie and Earl; her sister Joan; her three sons, Kevin, Martin and Steven; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild in the oven. She also left behind multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.
She worked at the Sierra Army Depot for around 30 years and retired from there approximately 20 years ago.
Phyllis is known for her love of quilting, crafting, yard saling, camping, hoarding of nic nacs, her flower garden and she loved to go fishing. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She volunteered for the Red Cross and was a very caring person who enjoyed helping those in need.
There will be a Celebration of Life in Janesville at 463-770 Raines Road at noon Sunday, Dec. 18.
Betty Lou Carroll
Betty Lou (Wright) Sherman Carroll passed peacefully Nov. 30, 2016 with her family by her side.
Betty was born Dec. 22, 1930 to Myron and Mary Wright in Westwood, California. Betty attended grade school in Westwood and Alturas. She graduated from Modoc High School in Alturas in 1948. After graduating high school, she moved to Salinas, California, where she attended and graduated from beauty college and from there returned home to Alturas. In 1950, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Glen Sherman. In March 1957, they moved to Susanville where they established Sherman Petroleum Company. Betty stayed home to raise their two daughters, Linda and Dana.
Betty enjoyed the outdoors. She loved to waterski, golf with her girlfriends, go bowling and camp with family and friends. Betty also enjoyed gatherings at her home, always welcoming family and friends. Betty also loved to hunt and fish with her husband, Glen. Later in life, she enjoyed her most precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended most all of their games, recitals and school programs. Betty was her happiest with and took great pride in her grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her two daughters and their spouses: Linda an Lee Sherman, of Anaheim Hills, California, and Dana and Pat Benninghoven, of Janesville, California. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Lauren and Dustan Mueller, of Susanville; Matt and Amanda Ackernecht, of Janesville; Katelyn Goff, of Redding, California; and her little loves, Ashlyn, Taylor, Luke, Austan, Vince, Brooke and Tenley.
Betty is also survived by her husband, Ron Carrol, of Yountville, California, and Sister-in-law, Sheri (Wright) Kiso.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Myron Wright and Mary Starkweather; her brother, Robert Wright; her husband, Glen Sherman; and two infant sons, Michael and Curtis.
A memorial service will be held at Waltons Colonial Mortuary at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17. A reception will immediately follow at Jensen Hall.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Betty’s name can be made to The American Heart Association.
Mervin Delgado
Mervin Jesse Delgado passed away in Reno on Nov. 28 2016 at the age of 86. He was born in Susanville to Ruth Bruington Delgado and Manuel Delgado and was raised in Susanville.
Mervin enjoyed what he described as a magical childhood in Susanville, having many memorable experiences and adventures in and around Susanville with cherished family and friends. He subsequently moved to Yuba City and Redding and then to San Francisco where he worked for the Burroughs Corporation for many years. Mervin later lived in the Sebastopol area where he operated his own printing business and taught college courses in accounting. Mervin concluded his career as an auditor for the State of California.
Approximately 20 years ago Mervin realized a dream of his to return to Lassen County and was happily reunited with his birthplace and its residents. During that period Mervin was active in the Elks Lodge of Susanville, American Legion Post 204 and operated Delgado Specialties Promotional Products. Over his life Mervin was involved in many other civic organizations such as Rotary, Lions Club and Barbershop Quartet.
Mervin enjoyed family, friends, wood working, fishing, camping, backpacking, football, RV traveling, gardening, jazz festivals, beekeeping, printing, metal detecting and exploring.
Mervin is survived by his friend Gloria Farris; and children Evan Delgado, Susan Burns and Douglas Delgado. He is preceded in death by his son, Marcus Delgado. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Katherine Delgado, Morgan Delgado, Connor Delgado, Jacob Delgado and Alice (Aly) Burns.
Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary.
Ardythe Camille Hansen
Longtime Doyle resident Ardythe Camille Hansen passed from this life peacefully Wednesday afternoon on Nov. 23, 2016 at the Northern Nevada Medical Center located in Sparks, Nevada. Her loving family was at her side.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Aug. 11, 1931 to the late Minnesota natives Theron and Beatrice (Brant) Tomeraasen. She was raised and educated in Minneapolis, graduating high school from the private Maplewood Academy as a member of the “Class of 1948.”
After being introduced to a handsome, young and recently discharged from the military, David Hansen, Jr., the couple was united in matrimony in Fridley, Minnesota on Dec. 8, 1950. To this union a son and daughter were born. The newlyweds soon moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to settle in San Pablo where they resided from 1950-1962.
The family relocated to the Northeastern California community of Doyle in 1963.
Ardythe will be remembered fondly as the longtime organist at the Herlong Chapel for over 25 years. She currently fellowshipped at the Honey Lake Assembly and was a proud member of the Doyle Seniors.
In her passing she leaves her son, David III and his wife Susan Hansen; daughter, Michelle Marcotte and her husband Jim, all of the community of Doyle; she was the proud grandmother to Bart and Josh Hansen, Beth and Brian Marcotte, Megan Boozer and Jessica Walker, along with her precious four great grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, David T. Tomeraasen.
Following cremation at Fehrman Crematory, private family services will take place. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at HYPERLINK “http://www.fehrmanmortuary.com” fehrmanmortuary.com.
Esther Margie Grooms-McFeely
On Dec. 7, 2016, Esther passed away peacefully at the Arbor’s Memory Care Facility in Sparks, Nevada, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Esther was 82 years old.
Esther was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on Feb. 5, 1934 to Lafayette and Amelia Grooms.
Esther loved the great outdoors. She was always out fishing, camping, snowmobiling, crafting or working in her garden.
Esther was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Carl McFeely; parents, Lafayette and Amelia Grooms; siblings, Bud Grooms, Dorothy Kuzara, Ruth Huskey, Leona Fox, Genevieve Baugh and Phyllis Abernathy.
Esther is survived by her son, David McFeely; daughter, Mary Legenbauer and spouse, Barry; grandchildren, Justin Legenbauer and spouse Beth, and Kirstine Mowery; great-grandhcildren, Carley and Dalton; and siblings, Earl Grooms, Archie Grooms and Joann Neely.
Special thank you to the amazing caregivers at Arbor’s Memory Care and Gentiva Hospice.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Susanville with a recitation of the rosary beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Janesville Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Walton’s: Ross, Burke & Knobel Mortuary in Reno.
Kathleen Mclaughlin
Kathleen “Kay” McLaughlin, 96, of Caldwell, peacefully passed away of natural causes on Dec. 1, 2016. Arrangements are under the care of Dakan Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. Condolences may be shared at HYPERLINK “http://www.dakanfuneralchapel.com”dakanfuneralchapel.com
Kay was born Jan. 4, 1920 at Indianapolis, Indiana, to Elmer and Helen Jose. She later moved to Hayward, California and worked at Lockheed in Sunnyvale before moving to Susanville in 1966 where she worked at the Susanville Airport from 1980 to 1993.
One of Kay’s many interests was gourmet cooking. While working for a catering service she attended classes at Lassen College. She also loved the outdoors and was hired by the California Division of Forestry where she worked at the Landon Lookout Wildfire Observation site for 14 years. Kay also enjoyed volunteering with ‘Smokey the Bear’ at county fairs and school programs promoting fire safety as well as volunteering with the Young Eagles Kids program and was a lifetime member of their EAA Chapter 794.
In 2005, Kay moved to Middleton, Idaho, and purchased her first home. She resided there until 2014 when she moved to Alexander Place Assisted Living due to declining health.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Edmond “Eddie” (3/17/1988) and her son, Brian (12/09/1996).
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia “Pat” Berriman of Clarkston, Washington; granddaughter, Tina Jacobs, of Susanville, California; and niece, Kathy Simpskins of Carlsbad, California.
Kay loved life and had a smile for everyone. She will be deeply missed. Memorials may be made to EAA Chapter 794, 471-920 Johnsonville Rd, Susanville, CA 96130.
Jeffrey Lane Montgomery
Jeff Montgomery, 54, died Nov. 24 in Frankfort, Kentucky.
A funeral service will be held at Diamond Crest Cemetery at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17.
Jeff, the third son of Robert and Janice Montgomery, was born at Potters Maternity Home, in Susanville, and he lived in the area most of his life.
Jeff is survived by his mother, Janice Montgomery, of Susanville; a brother, Dan, of Virginia; a sister-in-law, Lorri, of Virginia; a niece, Emily Montgomery, of Big Sur; three uncles, William Montgomery, of Chico, Donald Montgomery, of Leavitt Lake, and James Larson, of Yreka; and five aunts, Elizabeth Rippetoe, of Susanville, Barbara Danner, of Arkansas, Margaret Larsen, of Idaho, Sharon Adams, of Santa Rosa, and Donna Tarp, of Idaho; as well as numerous cousins around the country.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father, Robert Montgomery, of Susanville; a brother, Stephen, of Tehachapi; and an uncle, Larry Larson, of Denver.
Jeff attended Lassen Union High School, where he excelled in track and football, and graduated in 1981. He was a correctional officer before starting a series of small businesses in Susanville, including a furniture store, the Java Jitters coffee shop and a local taxi service. Jeff moved to Kentucky in 2014. His last job was at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, in Lexington.
Jeff loved his dogs (Cosmo and Winston are now living with Dan and Lorri), his horse, audiobooks, traveling with family and boating on Lake Almanor. The Montgomerys thank Jeff’s many longtime, loyal friends in Susanville and elsewhere. They enriched his life and shared uncounted laughs and adventures.
Sylvia Quam
Sylvia J. Quam, a long time (more than 40 years) resident of Susanville died at Renown Hospital on Nov. 18 of a heart attack.
Sylvia was born in Fall River Mills, California, on May 9, 1941 to John and Muriel Rilea. The family moved to Greenville, California, where Sylvia attended school and graduated in 1959. She married Jerry Quam and had three children, Curtis and Clinton Quam, both of Westwood, and Cheryl Quam, of Susanville.
Sylvia worked for Frontier Telecommunications for many years, and then retired at age 62. Sylvia loved spending her weekends working on her home and enjoyed her flower gardens, bunco and friends. Her dogs brought her both comfort and joy.
The real love of her life were her five beautiful grandchildren, Chase Quam and wife Hazel, of Oakland, California, Caven Quam, Chauncey Quam, of Chico, Zachary Quam, of Westwood, and Shaye Quam, of Chico.
Sylvia was preceded in death by her oldest brother, Lawrence Rilea, her parents and beloved friends, Jeffrey (Quam) Esparza and Jolene Palazzi.
Sylvia’s surviving siblings are Leonard Rilea, of Redding, Mark and Esther Rilea, of Greenville, Karen Maxey, of Chico, and Mary Dillon, of Susanville.
She will also be missed by her life long friends Judy Jenner of Marysville and Joni Quam of Susanville.
Celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary.