Sonoma West Obituaries, June 30, 2011

Frank D. Alban
Lived on ‘Magic Mountain’
Frank D. Alban was born on Jan. 25, 1925 in Baltimore, MD. He
died in Santa Rosa on June 8, 2011. Alban met his wife of 49 years,
Ursula Anna Alban, in San Francisco in 1962. The couple pioneered a
homestead on top of Cazadero’s “Magic Mountain,” where they
embraced a lifestyle devoted to each other. Alban supported the
preservation of forests, wildlife and certain social reforms. He
was active in the Russian River community, a member of Mt Jackson
Masonic Lodge #295 in Guerneville and the San Francisco Scottish
Rite. He lived in Mexico City during the 1950s, where as a Navy
veteran of World War II, he attended college and began raising a
family with his now deceased wife, Eleanor Alban. Alban is survived
by his children Jennifer Hayden; Frank Alban II; Kathleen Guerrero,
and Lori Torres; four grandchildren and five great grandchildren;
he is also survived by his brothers Eugene and Bob Alban. Memorial
Contributions may be made to the Cazadero Volunteer Fire Dept, P.O.
Box 508, Cazadero, CA 95421.
Charles L. ‘Dick’ Craig
Moved to Sonoma County in 1978
Charles L. “Dick” Craig died on June 15, 2011 at the age of 79.
Born in Red Bluff in 1931, raised in Sacramento Craig moved to
Sonoma County in 1978 for his career with State Farm Insurance
where he worked for 30 years. Following this, he worked for the
Sebastopol Eye Association for 19 years. Craig was an alumnus of
Sacramento State, Hastings and McGeorge. A Veteran of the U.S.
Navy, he served during the Korean War. He was also a member of the
Lions Club. Craig was a fan of the SF Giants and the 49ers and had
a passion for golf, fishing, and gardening. He is survived by his
wife of 57 years, Ethel; children Bradley James, David Loren, and
Karen Charleen; grandchild Kesler (Tiffany) and great-grand
children Boston, James, Casey and Joesph. Craig is also survived by
his mother-in-law Agnes Wood and numerous cousins throughout the
county.
Heintz George Janssen
Enjoyed gardening
Heintz George Janssen was born Feb. 20, 1924 and died on
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 in Sebastopol. Janssen was born in
Oldenburg, Germany and moved to Sonoma County in 1940. He enjoyed
taking local trips, especially to Reno and casinos in the Sonoma
County area. He was in the maintenance department for the Santa
Rosa Schools and was a dedicated worker at his place of employment
as well as at home. At home, he enjoyed maintaining the grounds and
planting a vegetable garden as well as raising all kinds of
livestock. Janssen is survived by his wife Norene Janssen of
Sebastopol; son George Janssen of Santa Rosa; daughter Marian H.
Criss of Sebastopol; granddaughter Victoria Doves of Riverside;
grandson Nathaniel Criss of Riverside; great-grandson Klye Dover of
Riverside; great-granddaughters Katherine Dover and Kasandra Dover
of Riverside; brother Walter (Donna) Janssen of Paradise; sister
Hedy Kuehl of Southgate, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Sutter VNA and Hospice or any
Veteran’s organization.
Alvin ‘Al’ Jensen
Sonoma County native
Alvin “Al” Jensen died on June 14, 2011 after a long illness,
surrounded by his family in Winter Garden, FL. He was 83. Born Oct.
21, 1927 to Carl and Elise (Nusbaum) Jensen, he was a native of
Sonoma County and graduated from Santa Rosa High School. Jensen
served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956 as a mechanic, and then
went on to work for Benecia Arsenal for several years. He married
Elvira (Stefenoni) Jensen in 1961 and together had one daughter
Roxanne (Jensen) Huff. He spent 30 years working for Santa Rosa
Golf and Country Club as a foreman and then Bodega Harbour Golf
Course as a mechanic. He retired in 1990. In 2001, Alvin (along
with his wife) moved to Orlando, Florida to be near his daughter
and son-in-law, William Huff. Jensen is survived by his wife of 49
years Elvira Jensen of Winter Garden, FL; daughter and son-in-law
Roxanne and William Huff of Winter Garden, FL; brothers Carl T.
Jensen, Jr. of San Francisco and Robert E. Jensen of Santa Rosa, as
well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Oscar E. ‘Doc’ Miller
Enjoyed travel
Oscar E. Miller born Nov. 26, 1921 in Moore, OK died in Santa
Rosa on June 17, 2011 at the age of 89. Miller lived for many years
in Sebastopol and retired to Lakeport. In 1959, Miller drove the
first truck for the CO-OP and worked for them for many years. He
worked for over 30 years as a Teamsters truck driver where he
eventually retired. He enjoyed travel with his wife, as well as his
travel trailer and fishing. He was devoted to his Church. Miller
was preceded in death by Ivy, his wife of 67 years; children Wayne
Charlotte. He is survived by his sons Larry, and Bobby;
daughter-in-law Patti (Vern) Freeman; grandsons Jason (Linda),
Chip, Michael, David and Darin; great-granddaughter Amber;
great-grandsons Matt and Ryan and nephew Jim (Margaret) Reeser.
Joyce Curtis James
Built many houses with husband
Joyce Curtis James, born March 30, 1938, died on May 28, 2011 at
home in Forestville. James was a graduate of Santa Rosa High School
class of 1956. She enjoyed raising her children and working 30 plus
years with her husband building numerous houses. James was preceded
in death her parents George L. Curtis and Ruby A. Curtis;
sons-in-law Bill Kemplin and Jerry M., and grandson Darryl B.
James. She is survived by her husband of 54 years Bill James;
children Beverly (Robin) Nowlin, Donna James, Angela Brothers,
Steven James; grandchildren Andrew Williams, Melanie Nowlin; sister
Sharon (Ken) Spain; brother Rodger (Patricia) Curtis and numerous
nieces and nephews. By request no services will be held. Donations
in her name can be made to a charity of choice.