OBITUARIES Click here

Robert Christiansen – Opened Ragle Park for 17
years
Robert Clarence Christiansen died Dec. 28, 2008 at the age of
87. Christiansen was a World War II veteran and worked for United
Airlines for 33 years. He loved to travel, socialize at parties and
work in his garden and was the first volunteer for the Sonoma
County Regional Parks. He opened the gate daily at Ragle Park for
17 years.
Christiansen was the son of Hans and Melia Christiansen, and
brother of Aloyse Christiansen and leaves behind many friends.
Eleanor V. Lander – Loved reading, camping
Eleanor Lander died in Santa Rosa on Jan. 7, 2009 at the age of
90. Lander was born and raised in Chicago, IL and moved to Sonoma
County in 1942. She belonged to Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, was a
member of Saint Mary’s Nurses, and was involved in the American
Diabetes Association. She loved to read, camp, and travel all over
the world.
She is survived by three sons and three daughters: John C.
Lander of Santa Rosa, Walt and Bob Lander of Sebastopol, Margaret
Stein of Reno, NV, Christine Lander Barenchi of Roseville, CA, and
Debbie Acuff of Truckee, CA. She is also survived by 11
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American
Diabetes Association.
Barbara Newell-Dehority – Moved to Sebastopol in
1976
Barbara Joan Newell-Dehority, age 74, a resident of Sonoma
County for 30 years, died on Jan. 4, 2009 in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. She is survived by her son Walter Dehority, daughter-in-law
Jody Dehority and granddaughters Maya Joyce Dehority and Clara
Georgette Dehority of Albuquerque, New Mexico, as well as by her
brother John Newell of Morgan Hill, and her nephews Blair Newell of
San Jose and Ryan Newell of Morgan Hill. She was preceded in death
by her late husband George Dehority.
Dehority was born in San Mateo, California on Jan. 7, 1935, and
moved to San Francisco shortly thereafter, where she spent her
childhood. She graduated from the University of California at
Berkeley, and later worked as a registered nurse in San Francisco.
She moved to Sebastopol in 1976, where she raised her son, Walter.
She moved to Rohnert Park in 1998, and ultimately to San Diego in
2006 in order to be closer to her granddaughters. She joined her
family in a move to Albuquerque in July of 2008.
June Walsh Hamilton – Voracious reader, lover of
opera
June Hamilton died Jan. 2, 2009 at home in Sebastopol, her last
days spent with loved ones. She was born Feb. 10, 1923 in Buffalo,
NY to the late Ruth Page Walsh and Edwin C. Walsh. She spent her
early years on a small farm in Alma, NY where she taught herself to
read by the age of four.
Hamilton attended Michigan State College at the age of 16, and
later married her sweetheart, Robert M. Hamilton, graduate of
Cornell University, Captain in US Army Air Corps and recipient of
the Distinguished Flying Cross. He preceded her in death in
1994.
She was a voracious reader and her home was filled with the
sounds of opera, art and discussions of philosophy, psychology and
politics. She enjoyed gardening, experimental baking, dabbled in
drawing and painted decorative finishes on furniture.
She is survived by her children, Diane (Ron) Silveira, Patrick
Hamilton, Joan (Chris) Bruce, and David Hamilton; grandchildren;
Douglas Peterson (Rebecca), Julie Peterson, Casey Bruce (Abbey),
Jason Theriault; and great-grandchildren Nicole, Demitra, Danielle,
Jenna and Kyle.
Donations in her name may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation.
Edward Patrick Lawson – Former S.F. Police
Ed Lawson died Jan. 10, 2009 at the age of 80 at home in
Sebastopol, with his family by his side. Lawson was born in San
Diego and graduated from Polytechnic High School in San Francisco
in 1945, where he met his wife Geraldine Peterson. He served in the
U.S. Army from 1946 to 1948, and was a Mounted Police Officer for
29 years. He became a parishioner at St. Sebastian’s Catholic
Church in Sebastopol when he retired and moved to Sebastopol in
1978. He was a member of the following organizations: The Bertoli
Singers in Sebastopol, The Wine Country Troubadors in Rohnert Park,
S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A. (The Society for the Preservation and
Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc.) and
Redwood Chordsmen in Santa Rosa. He was also a member for almost 30
years of the Sonoma County Wood Carvers Association and served as
President for two years. He was enrolled in the S.F.P.D. Widows and
Orphans Society and the R.S.F.P.O.L.S.C. (Retired San Francisco
Police Officers Living in Sonoma County). Ed was also a ten gallon
blood donor. Besides his best hobby of wood carving he loved
working outside in his garden, planting, pruning, weeding, mowing,
watering and doing whatever needed to be done. He was preceded in
death by his parents, Anna and Harry Lawson; sister, Leah Frances
Larsen; and his nephews, Gary and Daniel Larsen. He is survived by
his wife of 59 years Geri Lawson; daughters Kathie (Michael)
Monozon, Carol (Joe) Faulkner, and son Tom (Heidi) Lawson;
grandchildren Michael, Danny and Kelly Faulkner, Nicole Lawson and
Josh Tusi.
Marie Trimble Jeffers
Marie Trimble Jeffers passed away on January 4, 2009, at age
87.
She was the beloved wife of Donald Merle Jeffers for 51 years.
and was preceded in death by her parents Mary and James Trimble and
12 siblings. She is survived by children Donna Kalder (Larry
Kalder), Dorothy Drueck (Virgil Strauss), Mary Jeffers, Nancy
Jeffers, grandchildren Fred Drueck, Alaine Kalder, and Dennis
Drueck and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a special lady with smiles for everyone and a work and
exercise ethic to be emulated by all. She loved her family,
gardening, photography, painting, drawing, writing, music,
genealogy, politics, education, nursing, friends and especially the
Lord and church.
Professionally she worked as a teacher and a registered nurse
and even riveted airplanes during World War II. After her children
were grown, she worked full time with her husband on the family
farm.
She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution,
Pocahontas County Historical Society, church circles and many other
organizations including the Federated Women’s Club where she won
numerous competitions in writing and photography.
We will miss her – she was our best cheerleader and taught us to
enjoy every single sunset.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to United Methodist
Church 201 W Main Street, Laurens, IA 50554 or the Laurens Public
Library, 273 N 3rd Street, Laurens, IA 50554. A memorial service
will be held May 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Laurens Methodist
Church.
Margaret A. Whitney Martin
Margaret A. Whitney Martin passed away on January 5, 2009 in
Santa Rosa at the age of 94. 
She was the beloved wife of the late Lt. Col. Wm. R. Martin;
loving mother of Jane Martin-Leach of Windsor and John Martin and
his wife Jenny of Windsor; grandmother of Chris Martin, Lise Vargo
and Heidi Batten; great-grandmother of 4.
A native of Canada, after travel to many parts of the world as
an Air Force wife, she settled in Sunnyvale and recently moved to
Windsor to be near her children.
She was a member of Cupertino DE ORO Club, Florets Garden Club
of Palo Alto, Historical Society of Cupertino and past deaconess of
Union Church of Cupertino.
Friends were invited to attend a Graveside Service on Saturday,
January 10, 2009 at 10 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 22555
Cristo Rey Dr., Los Altos, CA. Immediately following a reception
was be held at the Unified Church of Cupertino, 20900 Stevens Creek
Blvd., Cupertino, CA.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to Pediatric
Nephrology Innovative Research Fund, Attn: Dr. Anthony Portale, MD,
University of California San Francisco, Children Renal Center, 533
Parnassus Ave, Room U-585, San Francisco, CA 94143-0748 or Memorial
Hospice, 821 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA  95405.
Juanita Martinez Vazquez
Juanita Martinez Vazquez “Momie” passed away peacefully on Dec.
20, 2008 at the age of 84 after a short courageous fight against
cancer.
Born in Santa Rosa, she resided in Sonoma County her entire
life, most recently at Kings Valley Apartments in Cloverdale.
Beloved wife of the late Salvador Vazquez, of Geyserville, she
is survived by her children, Salvador, Charlotte, Jon, Santiago
(James), and Michael; her sister Mercedes Soto, of Healdsburg; and
numerous nephews, nieces and grandchildren.
Juanita worked for 20 years at the former Italian Swiss Colony
and for 18 years in the dietary department at Healdsburg Hospital.
She loved gardening, crocheting and other crafts. She was an
excellent cook. Mom also loved watching Oprah every day – she tried
to never miss an episode. Her unconditional love was an example to
us all, and there never was a need we had she wouldn’t try to
fill.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life
at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church,
8400 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor.
Frank (Wisdom) Allen – Teacher and avid
golfer
Frank (Wisdom) Allen left this world after enjoying 96 years of
many experiences (i.e. teaching, playing golf, world travel,
family, and many friends). He grew very tired during the past few
months feeling that his years could not keep up with the speed of
technology and changes occurring. Even though he disliked his
middle name very much, it could apply to him, and actually had been
carried on for three generations. I tried to console him by reading
him the following, written by Benjamin Kublin: “To live wisely is
to speak kindly, to love conditionally, and to laugh in abundance.
The life of a wise man is lengthened by his capacity to feel joy.”
This fits Frank so well, but he only said: “Thank you, you are
trying hard to help me remain in this world, honey.”
Frank was a teacher, having taught in Antioch where he was
principal of a high school, later moving on to Los Gatos, and again
being a teacher and principal at Blossom Hill School. He had
attended UC Berkeley, later receiving his master’s degree at
Stanford (which complicated the football loyalties).
Frank was born in Ames, Iowa, of parents Frank W. Allen and Alma
Turner, on August 1, 1912, but always considered himself a
Californian, having lived in Davis, CA, enjoying the warm climate
of that area; Frank detested cold weather and often when looking at
a river or lake, would comment “looks cold.”
Frank served in the Army during World War II, serving in Gen.
Eisenhower’s intelligence unit, and recalled his war years as
giving him an opportunity to include regions of Europe in his
travel experiences. Traveling was a pleasure, he enjoyed primarily
the golf courses in different areas including St. Andrew’s in
Scotland and later in New Zealand.
After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1934, he and his brother
toured Europe on a bicycle tour for six weeks, later entering the
business world, on to a teaching career which he loved, especially
the elementary grades.
He was married for 51 years to Eleanor Edwards, who at that time
was a widow with a small son, to whom he became stepfather. Frank’s
immediate family include his wife Anita, whom he married following
the demise of Eleanor, and they enjoyed five wonderful years. A
testimonial to the fact that marriage does not destroy a friendship
of longstanding. His near relatives include brother Floyd; stepson
Roger; Marilyn; nieces Mary Louise (husband Dale Sevier), Susan
Correll (husband Walt), and Kaytie Kirkley; David Allen (wife Joy);
cousin Lorene Stockwell (daughter Marian and husband Roman) of Fort
Bragg, CA.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday,
Jan. 17, at noon, at Healdsburg Community Church, 1100 University
Ave., followed by a gathering of friends and family at the same
location. In lieu of flowers, Frank’s preference would have been a
remembrance to the favorite charity of a donor, or Hospice of Santa
Rosa, who were so very kind and supportive.
Mark “Mario” Hoefer – Enjoyed fishing and
camping
Passed away peacefully at the age of 59, surrounded by family on
Jan. 8, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was
the loving father of Sarah Crabtree (Bud); beloved son of Pepi
Hoefer; adored grandfather of Lane and Sydney; dear brother of
Nancy Orr (Larry), Wade Hoefer (Myra) and Keith Hoefer (Irene);
also survived by seven nieces and nephews and many loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Hoefer. Mario
worked as a chef in and around Healdsburg for the past 25 years.
Mario greatly enjoyed fishing and camping with his friends and
cherished dogs.
Private inurnment in Oregon. If desired, donations in his memory
may be made to Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa,
CA 95401.
An informal gathering of friends will meet at John and Zeke’s
Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at 5 p.m.
Mildred L. “Milly” Ginn – Bookkeeper at Santa Rosa Paint
Center
Mildred L. “Milly” Ginn passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2009
in Santa Rosa. Milly is predeceased by her husband Jack in 1995.
She is survived by her sons, Fred (Lorraine) Ginn & Randy Ginn
both of Healdsburg, her sister, Eileen Steadman of Healdsburg,
three grandchildren, David, Jurley & Ron Ginn, three great
grandchildren, Grace & Jack Ginn and Elijah Torian. Milly was
employed as a bookkeeper for over 20 years at Santa Rosa Paint
Center. She loved animals, especially dogs, cats and birds. She
leaves behind her dog, Tippy, her cat Prunella and many birds.
Friends and family are invited to attend a graveside service,
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Oakmound Cemetery in
Healdsburg.