Obituaries for the week of 9/19/17

Leslie Jordan Clary

Leslie Jordan Clary, of Susanville, passed away at the age of 60 Thursday, Sept. 7, at 2:55 p.m. at Renown Hospital in Reno, Nevada, following an unexpected aneurysm that struck her at home Monday night. She never regained consciousness, and after two days of observation, the decision was made to take her off life support with the full support of medical staff and her entire immediate family. She passed swiftly and painlessly, surrounded by those who survive her: Her sons, Jai and Zachary; her step-daughter, Alia; her ex-husband, Bob; and her partner, Robert.

Leslie was born Leslie Ann Hershberger to Glen and Dorothy (Houghton) Hershberger in Ohio. She abandoned home at the age of 18 to find her own path, eventually ending up in California where she gave birth to her first son, Jai, and attended the University of California at Santa Cruz. She later married Bob Clary on Dec. 19, 1990 and moved to San Francisco, where she gave birth to her second son, Zachary. Then she moved to Susanville where she received her masters in English degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Leslie’s two greatest passions were writing and traveling, and she pursued both with zest as she journeyed to places like Italy, China, Vietnam and Mongolia, and wrote on subjects as diverse as blacksmithing, tourism and gemology. Many of her poems and short stories, fiction and non-fiction, are published in collected works under Jordan Clary. Her last great trip overseas was as a Fulbright Scholar to Northern India.

At home she was a respected member of the community. She was spiritual, and shared her love of healthy spiritual living and meditation through the Zephyr Forest Dharma Center. Her final big project was the founding and running of Leafy Botanicals, making holistic topicals and other products specializing in the relief of arthritis and joint pain.

A memorial for Leslie will be held in April 2018.

Gerald “Jerry” Henry, Sr.
Gerald “Jerry” Henry, Sr., 78, passed away Saturday, September 9, 2017. He was born on February 3, 1939 in Nebraska to Lawrence and Bernita Henry. The family settled in San Jose, California, where he met and married Patricia Brundage. Jerry was a painter for the city of San Jose, and volunteered countless hours as a coach and president of youth baseball. Jerry and Pat relocated to Lake Almanor in 1979 where he began his painting business, Feather River Painting, which he operated until retirement. He enjoyed camping and fishing at Hat Creek, and had a passion for following the San Francisco 49ers and the San Francisco Giants. In his later years, Jerry also enjoyed watching youth sports – it didn’t matter if it was his grandkids or his friend’s kids – he just enjoyed watching them have fun.

Jerry is survived by sons Mike (Cindy) and Troy (Cheryl), grandchildren Dustin, Kacie, Alex, and Jace, four great-grandchildren, his sister, La Donna, niece, Rebecca, and nephew, Billy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pat, and oldest son, Butch.

The family would like to thank Lassen Nursing and Rehabilitation for treating Jerry like family for the past few years; with a special thanks to Dan, Tammi, and Shauna for all that you did for Jerry.

No services will be held. In lieu of flowers or cards, any donations can be made to Lassen Nursing and Rehabilitation, 2005 River Street, Susanville CA, 96130.

Laurie Ann Trussell
Laurie Ann Karikka (maiden name) Trussell (married name) died on Aug. 30, 2017 at Highland House Care Facility in Grants Pass.

Laurie was born in Ithaca, New York on Sept. 17, 1951. Her parents moved west when she was very young.

She was married to the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Trussell for over 15 years. They lived in Susanville, California. She was active for many years in the Search and Rescue Team that her husband Robert Trussell founded.

Laurie was a loving wife and caregiver for her husband Bob when he became ill. After her husband died, she moved to Grants Pass to take care of her ailing mother, prior to her mother passing away.

Laurie had a deep sense of spirituality and enjoyed religious science and attended and became a member of the Grants Pass Center for Spiritual Living. She found peace and freedom in music, and sang in a music group there. Later, she participated at the Center for Spiritual Living, Rogue Valley in Medford. She was very active in a kindness group and other spiritual groups there.

Laurie was the oldest of three children and loved music, reading, art, animals and the outdoors throughout her life. She is survived by her brother, Richard (Rick) Karikka, of Grants Pass; sister, Kimberly Karikka, of Phoenix, Oregon; step-daughter, Terrie Trussel Ginder; step-son, Bobby Trussel; granddaughter, Ashley Trussel; grandson, Kaleb Trussell; granddaughter Shay Moore; niece, Kayla Marino Craig; nephew, Anthony Marino; and nephew, Matt Trussell.

She will be buried with her husband, Robert Trussell, in Johnsonville, California. Date to be set. Her lovely, bright spirit will be missed by many.

Services are being planned in Grants Pass and Susanville.