OBITUARIES Click here

Richard Alfred Gronberg – Owned ‘Buddha Cabin’ in
Forestville
Richard “Dick” Gronberg died on June 12, 2009 in a cabin he
built on his property in Forestville, known as “Buddha Cabin.”
Gronberg was born on July 6, 1929 in San Francisco, to Oskar Albin
Gronberg of Norway and Maren Kirsten Nielsen of Denmark, and went
to school in San Francisco, graduating from Washington High School
in 1947. He worked in his father’s used furniture store until he
enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1950.
He began building a home in Forestville in 1983, and in 2004,
while at a Polka Festival in Washington State, Gronberg met his
third wife Pat Peterson and they were married shortly
thereafter.
He is survived by his wife Pat; his three children, Linda Ward
(John), Carl Gronberg (Gina), and Paul Gronberg (Barbra); as well
as his seven grandchildren, Kristen, Brendan, Jenna, Rochelle,
Sean, Ryan, Ben; and his brother Henry Gronberg. He is also
survived by his former wives May Gronberg and Carol Hince. A
Memorial Service will be held at Petaluma Valley Baptist Church,
580 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy., in Petaluma, on Friday, June 26, at 1
p.m., reception to follow. All who knew him are welcome to
attend.
Beverly Ann Swafford  – Born in Graton
Beverly Swafford died on June 20, 2009 at the age of 72 in Santa
Rosa. She was born in Graton, and has been a lifelong resident of
Sonoma County. She was a member of Hessel Church for more than 40
years. Swafford enjoyed traveling in her motorhome throughout the
U.S. with her husband Marvie and dog Magoo, as well as spending
time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Dolores Rodrigues, and
is survived by her husband of 52 years, Marvie Swafford; sons, Mark
(Shawna) Swafford and Dale Swafford; daughter, Robin (Randy)
Hawkey; grandchildren, Kristen, Ashley, Keith, Rachelle, Kaitlin
and Ranae; sister, Kathie (Phil) Spears; brothers, Wilbur (Yvonne)
Jones and Allan (Nancy) Jones.
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11 a.m.
at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park, 1700 Pleasant Hill Road,
Sebastopol.
Jeffrey Pagan – Owner of Fern’s Market
Pagan was the only child of the late Louie and Gail Pagan. He
grew up in Union City, CA until moving to the Russian River area in
2005 where he and his wife became owners of River Gem Resort and
Fern’s Market, both in Monte Rio.
He is survived by his wife, Renee Combes Pagan; sons, Nicholas
and Cody Pagan; stepsons, Christopher, Kevin, Kenny and Troy
Combes; grandson Willie Ray and many aunts, uncles, cousins and
friends.
A celebration of Pagan’s life will be held Wednesday, June 24, 4
p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Monte Rio Community Center, 20488 Highway
116, Monte Rio, CA. All are welcome.
Marc Richard McCracken
Marc Richard McCracken, 48, passed away on June 16, 2009, at
home. Marc, a lifelong resident of Healdsburg, was born on Dec. 20,
1960, in Santa Rosa. Marc worked as a Route Sales Driver at
Northern Energy. He went to school at Windsor Elementary and
Healdsburg High. He was an accomplished fisherman, excellent
extreme downhill snow skier, and an all around outdoors man. As a
lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, he recently completed the 2008
Sturgis road trip on his 2005 Harley Roadking.
Marc, a Christian, will be remembered for his generosity and
willingness to help anyone in need.
He was the devoted and loving son of Patricia McCracken, loving
brother to Melanie McCracken-Chrest, uncle of Suezane Grimm, and
brother-in-law to Mike Chrest of Kaaawa, HI.
Special thanks to longtime girlfriend Pamela Livingston and best
friend Allen Henderson “Hendie.”
Predeceased by Richard L. McCracken, grandparents Alton and Mae
McCracken, Albert and Irma Agostini, sister Allison Adele
McCracken, and Uncle Alton “Mickey” McCracken.
There was a funeral service at 10 a.m. on June 24 at Shiloh
District Cemetery. Services by Private Family Graveside. Memorial
donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Alice Evans Brooks
Alice was born September 16, 1916 at Scotia, California to her
late parents, Wesley and Blanche Evans. On June 18, 2009 she died
with her family nearby. Alice was the Duchess of Windsor in 1989.
She loved her church, traveling and was a lifetime member of the
Windsor Grange. Her family was the most important part of her life.
She had an annual Christmas party with Santa for her family from
1964 to 2008 that was the highlight of her families Christmas
season. She married in 1936 to the love of her life, Albert Brooks
(deceased), who was a descendant of the original Brooks family that
settled in Windsor in the 1850’s. There have been six generations
of the Brooks family to live on the property. Her living siblings
are Arthur Evans, Raymond Evans and Vernon Evans.  Deceased
siblings are George Evans, Gerald Evans, Blanche Palmquist,
Clarence Evans, Ida Petersen and Frances Willey.  She was dearly
loved by her children, Vernon Brooks (Frances), Wesley Brooks
(Martha), Carole Rombeiro (Edward), Marilyn Bolman (Richard),
deceased Virginia Watson (Wayne) and Janet George (deceased Lyle). 
13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren also survive her and
numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service on
Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Windsor Community United
Methodist Church, 9451 Brooks Road South, Windsor.  A Private
Interment Service will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Memorial contributions may be made in Alice’s Memory to the
Windsor Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 87, Windsor CA
95492 or to Heartland Hospice Services, 2455 Bennett Valley Road,
Ste. B-214, Santa Rosa CA 95404.
Marion M. Johnson – Born in Cloverdale
Marion M. Johnson joined her late husband Lee on June 18, 2009,
at the age of 86.
She was the loving mother of Nancy Freitas and Michael (Vickie)
Johnson. Marion was the adored nonie of: Alan and Chris Freitas,
Amber, Ross and the late Katie Johnson, Stephanie (Alex) Orosco,
Jack and Jenny Grey and, great nonie of Diego Orosco. She was the
beloved sister  of Ernest Angeli. She is also survived my many
nieces and nephews.
Marion was born in Cloverdale and spent her entire life
there.
Friends are invited to attend visitation Thursday, June 25, 2009
from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Fred Young F. H. 428 N. Cloverdale
Blvd. Cloverdale 894-2540. A Cryptside service will be held Friday
June 26, at 11 a.m. at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, 1900 Franklin
Ave., Santa Rosa. A Celebration of Life will be held at her home in
Cloverdale, Saturday June 27, from 2 until 6 p.m. Memorial
contributions may be made to you favorite charity.
Beverly Midson – Owned Midson Dress Shop
Beverly Midson passed away in Santa Rosa on June 12, 2009.
Loving daughter of the late Fred H. and Grace S. Midson. Beverly
was a native and lifelong resident of Sonoma County, age 70, and as
such was very involved in her community. She owned and operated
Midson Dress Shop in Healdsburg for years; she was a board member
of the Friends of Lake Sonoma, Dry Creek Volunteer Fire Department,
the Republican Club, Geyserville Chamber of Commerce and past board
member of the Healdsburg Soroptimist’s Club. She loved gardening,
but her real passion has always been animals, whether it was riding
horseback with her parents or taking care of the loves of her life,
her goats, dogs and cats. The family wishes to acknowledge Prema
Ram for the wonderful loving care over the last few years.
A Celebration of her life will be held at a later date. If
desired donations in her memory may be made to the Sotoyome
Volunteer Fire Company, c/o Jack Brandt, 250 Healdsburg Ave.,
Healdsburg.
Laurie A. Thomsen – Lived in Alexander Valley for 26
years
Laurie A. Thomsen passed away at her home in Alexander Valley
June 10, 2009 at the age of 55. Laurie was the loving wife of
Jeffrey J. Thomsen and devoted mother of Michael Thomsen and
Brianna Scott and her husband Brian. She was the dear daughter of
Vern and Norma Cooper and beloved sister of Karen Cooper. Laurie
was the beloved aunt of Justin Hinkle and adored grandmother of
Jacob and Addison Scott. She is also survived by numerous lifelong
friends.
Laurie graduated from Santa Rosa High School in the class of
1972 and lived in Healdsburg’s Alexander Valley for 26 years. She
was most at home helping others and was a mother to many. Laurie
loved to travel, especially road trips across the US with her
family. From childhood, she had a love of animals and enjoyed
horseback riding much of her life. Laurie was known for her
infectious laugh, selflessness, famous chocolate chip cookies, and
passion for the Giants. Her life’s joy came from being with her
family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew
her.
Friends were invited to attend a Memorial Service at the
Alexander Valley Community Hall, 5512 Hwy. 128, Healdsburg,
Saturday June 20, 2009 at 2 p.m. Interment was private at Oakmound
Cemetery, Healdsburg. If desired, memorial donations may be made to
the National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown St., Suite 2D,
Watertown, MA 02472.