Obituaries for the week of 2/14/17

Sharon Evelyn Brooks

Sharon Evelyn Brooks passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, in the presence of her family, following a brave and courageous two-year battle with cancer.

Sharon was born on April 21, 1951 in Susanville, California to Harold and Evelyn Ward. Her family had a long history residing in the North State; Sharon’s father personally witnessed the eruption of Mount Lassen in 1915. At the age of 13, she moved to Redding, California.

On May 14, 1970, Sharon married Tom Brooks in Redding. Together, they raised four children, LoriLee, Beth, Jeremy and Hilary. Tom and Sharon created various, happy homes in the north state including Chico, Grass Valley, Truckee and Paradise.

Sharon is survived by her husband, son, daughters, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister, six grandchildren, nieces, nephews and countless others whom Sharon treated as family. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister.

Sharon was a caretaker above all else, giving unconditional love to all living things in her life. She enjoyed spending time with her family, music and the outdoors. Sharon enjoyed caring for all animals and worked in local veterinary hospitals throughout the north state. Sharon was also generous with her time and served as a lifelong volunteer to many organizations including Feather River Health Center.

Sharon was a beautiful person inside and out. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister and dear friend. She left us way too soon and will be missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Feather River Hospice, who provided amazing support to Sharon, Tom and the entire family.

“The Lord is my keeper. He will replenish you all. Only remember me with smiles and laughter as I will remember you all. God Bless – I’m with you all forever. With love, Mom xoxo.”

View obituary and send condolences online at nbcfh.com.

James Richard Zinn

Paradise, California resident James “Jim” Zinn passed away Jan. 23, 2017 at the age of 83. Born Jan. 3, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to William and Lois Zinn, he grew up in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, and graduated from Pius XI Catholic High School in 1951. The Zinn family moved to west Reno, where he attended the University of Nevada, Reno.

Jim was in the U.S. Army and served from 1956 to 1959, when he was honorably discharged. He returned to his career with Safeway Stores and retired in the early 1990s, after more than 35 years of service. Upon retirement, he went to clock repair school. He was an avid antique clock collector. When younger Jim was an active sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, golf and playing fast-pitch softball, where he was an excellent pitcher and catcher. He loved watching his children and grandchildren play sports.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Robert Zinn (Kristina) and Mike Flaherty (Jamie), of Paradise, California, Rita Phillips and Karen Simon, of Sparks, Nevada, Carol Baublit and Daniel Zinn, of Susanville, California, and Gary Zinn, of Hales Corners, Wisconsin; 15 grandchildren, Kiefer Baublit (Nadeja), Kodi Bishop (Devan), Erica Zinn, Emily Stevens (Conner), Kaitie Zinn, Crystal Phillips, Shane Phillips, Danielle Simon-Popson (Jimmy), Steven Simon, Shaun Zinn, Stephanie Zinn, Tyler Smalley, Kyle Smalley, Matt Flaherty (Carrie) and Trent Flaherty; 12 great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

Jim was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Schaber and Joanne Hartman; son, Bradley Zinn; and great grandson Mikey Tevino. He also leaves behind his precious Jack Russell terrier, Tina.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 17, 2017 at Rose Chapel 6382 Clark Rd. Paradise, CA 95969. Reception to follow at Craig Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, we ask to kindly donate to the American Heart Association or Wounded Warriors Project.

Policarpo Esparza-Alastuey

Policarpo (Poli) Esparza passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in Reno, Nevada on Feb. 5, 2017.  He was 90 years old and had recently lost his beloved spouse of 54 years, Maria.
Policarpo was born to Pasquala and Pasqual Esparza in the Spanish Pyrenees town of Burgui, Navarra on Dec. 7, 1926.
He was the fourth of six children. Poli lived his youth in Northern Spain where he worked with his father and brothers in the hills surrounding Burgui.
There he herded the family’s livestock and helped to harvest timber from the forests surrounding the Valle de Roncal.  At age 18, he enlisted in the Spanish Military, as compulsory service was then required. Upon completion of his service, he was anxious to find a better life for himself and consequently immigrated to the United States
He arrived in the United States on Nov. 5, 1952, as a contracted shepherd in search of a brighter future. He, along with two brothers, arrived in Phoenix, Arizona to work in the sheep and cattle industry where rancher Oscar Gibson would employ them.
This kind rancher allowed them to break their contract, so that the brothers could join their paternal aunt and her family in Susanville. Poli arrived in Susanville in the spring of 1955 and began working for rancher Bill Jenkins.
He worked as a shepherd in Lassen County until returning to Spain for an extended holiday in 1961. It was on that holiday that he fortuitously met his future wife Maria Badostain.  As newly-weds they returned to Susanville where Poli would work in the lumber industry until his retirement in 1985.
Poli was a devoted father who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and family.
It was an adventure for him and Maria to drive to Reno or Martinez and see the grandkids. Poli and Maria were able to visit family and friends in Spain on several occasions and those trips brought back many memories of years gone by, as well as providing new memories that would be cherished during the ensuing years.
He was from the “old country” which meant that he was raised with a strong work ethic combined with an extreme willingness to help others. He was also a “common sense advisor” to those he cared about, but was blessed with the humility to know when his advice was unwanted and would go unheeded. As an avid gardener, he was very proud of the annual fruit and vegetable harvest that he enjoyed sharing with family, friends and neighbors. So much so, that the neighbors and family would plead for him not to bring them any more goodies!
Poli was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anjelita, and brothers, Ignacio, Rudesindo and Javier. He is survived by his son, Juan; daughter, Mary Lou; and grandchildren, Alejandro Esparza, Andres Esparza, Eric Vignalats, Ariel Vignalats and Alicia Vignalats; brother Justo (Beatrix), of Pamplona, Navarra Spain; cousin Rose Arainty, of Susanville, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Spain.
Funeral services for Poli will be held on Feb. 25, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  A Rosary will be prayed beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Mass at 11:30 a.m.  A reception will be held at Monsignor Moran Hall following the Celebration of Mass Donations may be made to the Caring and Sharing program of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.