Obituaries 9-24-15

Kelsie Marie Iverson
Kelsie Marie Iverson was involved in a tragic car accident on Aug. 15, 2015 and passed away from her injuries on August 17 at the age of 24. Born in Tucson, Arizona, she moved to Cloverdale when she was in the first grade and attended Cloverdale High School, graduating with the class of 2009. She also attended Empire College in 2010 and received a certificate in Office Administration. She worked at Eagles Nest Deli in Cloverdale until June 10, at which time she decided to take the summer off to be with her son James. Kelsie is leaving us in the spirit she lived. Her wishes are that her legacy of sharing with others would serve past her worldly usefulness. She was able to give five gifts as she was an organ donor. That says a lot about her. She was beautiful. Her friends were many. She was loved to the moon and back by her family. She was fiercely independent, loving, stubborn, forgiving, spiritual, loyal, generous and she loved animals. Kelsie was happy when sharing family traditions of good food, wine and conversation and playing Canasta with her Grandma. She was very athletic and loved basketball, water skiing, swimming and hanging out at the river and lake. She always thought that winning was the only option. Kelsie’s family is heartbroken, but the memories she left for us will help heal their broken hearts. Their lives are forever changed and they will never be the same. Kelsie leaves behind her beautiful mother, Debbie Beneitone, her loving father Iver Iverson, her best friend and brother, Iver Iverson Jr (I.J.), grandmother Doris Beneitone, grandmother and grandfather, Iver and Bev Iverson, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends. Finally, know this about Kelsie; she deeply cherished her five-year-old son James (Jaime) Contreras-Iverson. We hope that as he walks through life without her, he will recognize those who share the same spirit of giving. Kelsie Marie Iverson, devoted and beautiful mother of James, thank you for your most precious gift to our family, your son James. There will be a celebration of Kelsie’s life on October 10, 2015, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lake Sonoma Marina. In lieu of flowers, there has been a Go Fund Me account set up for her son James.
Sarah Sumpter
Sarah Sumpter (“Stump”) was born on March 12, 1990. According to her family, she met her end the same way she lived her life; with grace and dignity. The 2008 Healdsburg High School and 2013 UC Davis graduate packed all the life she could into her all too short 25 years. “Stump” died on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015 after battling brain cancer for five years. She died at home with family around her. Though running was a large part of Stump’s life, she was a warm and gentle human being who loved art, loved to draw, do her crossword puzzles and help others whenever she could, family and friends alike. Stump didn’t have a mean bone in her body and yet was fiercely competitive, stubborn beyond belief and absolutely refused to back down from challenges, big or small. She remained a highly competitive runner after being diagnosed with cancer in September of 2010. She endured two major surgeries and non-stop chemotherapy for five years, yet never complained and wouldn’t let it interfere with her training. Her final race came on July 4 when she finished first in the 10K at Kenwood, setting a personal-best time on that course. A late bloomer, Stump didn’t begin running full-time until her sophomore year of high school. A year later, she finished second in the North Coast Section cross country championships. She missed medaling at the state championships by a single place. Motivated to do even better in her senior cross country year of 2007, she went on to win Sonoma County League, North Coast Section and CIF State Championships. Receiving a full-ride scholarship to UC Davis, she missed her true freshman cross country season with a hip injury but returned in 2009 as a red-shirt freshman to win the Big West Conference championship. As a member of the cross country and track teams at Davis, she excelled and won many awards in long-distance events. Primed for an even bigger season in 2010, Sarah was diagnosed with cancer during a routine exam. She battled back to finish second in the Big West Conference cross country championships twice more and helped lead Davis to a Big West team title in 2011. She may not have always been the fastest runner on the course or track, but she was the fastest undergoing chemo. Stump continued to run post-collegiately and was training for marathon-distance events. She also penned a running blog for the Healdsburg Running Company. Before her condition worsened in late July, she had been training to compete in the New York Marathon in November, an event she had been invited to attend. She was born and raised in Cloverdale and attended Healdsburg public schools before moving on to UC Davis, a college and community she loved with all her heart. Services for “Stump” take place Saturday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount St. Carmel Church in Asti. Reception to follow just up the road at St. Peters Hall in Cloverdale. By her wishes, her body has been donated to UCSF’s medical research department with the hope that it will one day lead to a cure for the cancer that ultimately took her life. Sarah is survived by her mom, Shawn; her dad, Brian; her brother, Josh; her grandfather, Richard (Dick) Williams; her uncles, David and Gary; numerous extended family members; her entire UC Davis family; her loving godmother Becki Valente; two of her greatest supporters Mandy Feder and Julie Kelley; and a running community stretching far-and-wide. She was predeceased by her loving grandmothers Nellie Sumpter and Yvonne Williams. Sarah’s family said that her enduring spirit will live on in her family, friends and teammates. She is now free to run all the hill repeats she could ever want, free of cancer. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a contribution to a fund that will be used to establish a scholarship in Sarah’s memory at Healdsburg High School. You can donate at www.gofundme.com/sprintingforsaraht
Walter Henry Buell
Walter Henry Buell (Walt) passed away among his friends at Creekside Convalescent Hospital in Santa Rosa on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015. Walt was 88. Walt was born in Petaluma on Sept. 5, 1927 and grew up in the Petaluma and Tomales area. He, along with his younger sister Avis (Buell) Loewke and George Buell (deceased) were raised by Orrin and Helen Buell. After a four-year stint in the United States Navy, Walt met his wife Virginia and they raised four children together: Pat Buell (Cindi), Dennis Buell (Becky), Colleen (Buell) Summit (Tony) and Timothy Buell. Walt and Virginia were married for 62 years. Walt had many occupations during his life; he was a rancher, truck-driver, well driller, mechanic, welder and carpenter, to name a few. In his spare time, Walt used to enjoy hunting, fishing, and visiting and exchanging letters with his many friends and relatives. He would often close his letters with the word “arf” (as in Popeye the Sailor Man’s laugh). Walt was also a Third Degree Master Mason and was Past-Master of Vitruvius Lodge #145 F.&A.M. in Bloomfield. Walt is survived by his wife, Virginia, all four children, seven grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Walt will be interred at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California. A gathering to celebrate Walt’s life will be scheduled at a later date.
Carl Howell
Carl Howell died on Sept. 3, 2015, of cancer, surrounded by his family and close friends. Carl is survived by his wife of 32 years, Deborah Howell, daughter, Stephanie Seenes and son-in-law Charles, sons Carl Howell Jr., daughter-in-law Sara, Matthew Howell and Jeremiah Howell, brother Dewey Howell, nephew Tyler Howell and his two grandchildren, Alexandra and Caleb Howell. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Carl’s life on Sept. 27, 2015, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Citrus Fairgrounds in Cloverdale. Donations in Carl’s honor may be sent to the Cloverdale Lions Club.