Obituaries for the week of 8/22/17
Norma Eleanor Dalton
Norma Eleanor (Steve) Dalton passed away on Aug. 14, 2017, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was born in East Rochester, New York, on July 10, 1925, to Frances (Glotzbach) and Norman Steve.
Norma grew up in East Rochester with her three sisters and a brother. She graduated from East Rochester High School in 1943 and attended Cortland State Teachers College, receiving her bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1947. She taught at Randolph Central School from 1947 to 1950. She would travel back to Randolph for a yearly reunion with many of her former students. In 1950, she received her master’s degree in physical education from the University of Colorado. While there, she also met her husband to be, Jerome F. Dalton.
She then taught at Schenectady Junior High in New York. Then she taught at Madison High School in Rochester, New York until 1951.
Norma married the love of her life, Jerry, on Nov. 3, 1956. She was a “stay at home mom” until her three daughters went to school. In 1962, she began teaching at St. Jerome’s Catholic School in East Rochester, New York, and taught there for 23 years.
After her husband passed away in 1986, Norma moved to Susanville, California, to help raise her granddaughters.
In 1999, she moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was an active member of St. James the Greater Catholic Church. She stayed active and exercised right up to the end. Her daughters often remarked that she could “out walk” them well into her 80s. She enjoyed her many friends at the L.E. Phillips Senior Center and often referred to them as her “extended” family.
Norma is survived by her sister, Barbara, of New York; daughters, Pam (Jeff) Herdrich, of Idaho, Frances (Dennis) Oberg, of California, and Mary (Mark) Legge, of Wisconsin; granddaughters, Katrina and Jessica; great grandchildren, Amelia, Robert and Eleanor.
The family would like to thank Barb and Kris of St. Joseph’s Hospice and the staff at Dove Healthcare West.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 2502 11th Street, Eau Claire, with Father Tom Krieg officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, at the WEST CHAPEL location of Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, and again one hour prior to Mass at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Norma wishes for you to make donations to L.E. Phillips Senior Center, 1616 Bellinger St, Eau Claire, WI 54703, or St. James the Greater Parish, 2502 11th Street, Eau Claire, WI 54703.
Bennie Medina Rodriguez
Bennie Medina Rodriguez passed away peacefully at his home in Klamath Falls, Oregon on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017 at the age of 95 years on the Feast of the Transfiguration. He was born on March 21, 1922.
Bennie married Julia Barba on May 24, 1947. Bennie is survived by his wife Julia of 70 years, and children, Genevieve, Filomeno, Jess, Bennie, Jr., Jeff, Arnold, Bonnie and Raquel Rodriguez and their spouses, 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Bennie was born in Fresno, California, and moved to Susanville in 1931 with his family. In high school, he was on the boxing team and was an excellent boxer. He served in the Navy Armed Guard during World War II as a Liberty ship gunner, and also boxed while in the Navy. Bennie was very proud and honored to serve his country. He moved his family to Klamath Falls in 1953.
He was a good husband, father, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family was most important to him. Bennie enjoyed traveling, camping, hunting and watching boxing.
Bennie retired from Weyerhauser in 1985 after 31 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
Bennie was preceded in death by his father, Jesus, and mother, Beatrice Medina, of Madalena, Mexico; and brothers, Willie, Sam, Frank, Jesus and Filomeno; and sisters, Beatrice, Mary, Vicka, and infant son, Henry.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Funeral arrangements are through Davenport Funeral Home in Klamath Falls. Rosary will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at Sacred Heart Church followed by interment at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at Sacred Heart Parish Hall following services.
James Ephraim Clark
James Ephraim Clark was born June 30, 1933 in Reserve, New Mexico to William Jackson Clark and Lula Mae (Joy) Clark. He passed away July 25, 2017 at 84 years old in Susanville, California at Banner Lassen Medical Center.
He had three brothers, Charles, John Lloyd and Willis Jackson, and one sister, Charlene (Snyder) Ford. In 1950, James moved from New Mexico to Susanville at 17. He was inducted into the Army on April 8, 1953 and served as a light infantryman in Korea before being honorably discharged March 5, 1955.
James married Patsy Lea LeDou Jan. 14, 1961. They had two children; son, William Thad, and daughter, Angela Lucille. He was a timber faller most of his life and owned a small sawmill with Willis, and loved to cut his own firewood, supplying him and his family plenty of warmth for the cold winters in Janesville.
He loved the outdoors, spending time as a hunter and trapper, raising wild game birds and gardening both flowers and vegetables. He planted many fruit trees and loved to try the heirloom varieties in all of his gardening.
Very much a family man, he loved and cherished all of his family and friends.
James was preceded in death by his father, William; his mother, Mae; two brothers, Charles and John; and son, William.
James is survived by his wife, Patsy; daughter, Angela; grandsons, Robert James and Justin Guy; granddaughter, Kayleen; great grandsons, Jacob and Joshua; brother, Willis; sister, Charlene; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held for James at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 at the Lassen Cemetery on Chestnut St. in Susanville, officiated by Bob Summerville. The family will be gathering at the Monticola Club at 140 South Lassen St. in Susanville after the services. Everyone is welcome.