Saturday, 18 May 2024

Obits

Rose Pyzer. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Surrounded by her family, Rose went home to be with Jesus and reunite with her loving husband, Lenard, on March 20, 2024, at the age of 87.

Rose was born on June 19, 1936, in Broken Bow, Nebraska. She was the oldest of seven girls, born to Mae and Von Paxton.

Growing up she helped her dad on the family ranch raising angus beef cattle. She and her sister rode a pony to attend a one room school house a few miles away during her elementary years. She moved into the town of Tryon to attend high school, living in town during the weekdays and going home to the ranch on weekends.

When she was 16 years old she was set up on a blind date with her future husband, Lenard. Prior to their date, Rose decided she wanted to know what her blind date looked like before she went out with him so she set off to see him play in the town basketball game.

Lenard just happened to be driving down the road as she made her way to the game so he stopped and offered her a ride. They drove to the basketball game together and he asked her to hold his watch while he played basketball. He never did ask for his watch back and that very watch was on her wrist on their wedding day.

Rose and Lenard were married on May 26, 1954. After their wedding, Rose took a teaching position in a one room school house located in Ringgold, Nebraska. They had their first son, Russ, in Nebraska and moved to California in 1958 so Lenard could help his uncle build a home in Ukiah.

They eventually moved to Lakeport and it was there they had their other four sons; Marnin, Joel, Zachary and Jeremy. When Jeremy began school, Rose got a job in the Lakeport Unified School District as a paraeducator where she continued to work until 1983, when the family moved to Hidden Valley Lake. Soon after this move she began working as a paraeducator for the Middletown Unified School District.

Besides working in the schools, Rose would often be seen keeping scorebooks at her sons’ sporting activities, as well as driving kids to games. In later years she could be seen in the stands supporting her sons as they coached various teams, as well as cheering on her grandchildren in whatever activity or sport they were involved in.

Rose was a woman of deep faith. Her service in the churches she belonged to was very important to her. She played the piano in various churches and was also an active board member throughout the years.

Her family was the center of her life. She had a deep love and devotion to her husband. Her love for her sons was unconditional and her pride in each of them was unwavering.

Rose is survived by her sons, Russ Pyzer (Glenda), Marnin Pyzer (Jennifer), Joel Pyzer (Davina), Zachary Pyzer (LeAnne) and Jeremy Pyzer (Shanna); sisters, Judy Cox, Georgetta Paxton, Polly Siegel and Pat Nicholson; sister in-law, Lila Stoddard; 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Lenard Pyzer; her parents, Von and Mae Paxton; sisters, Bess Aupperle, June Farmer; and grandson, Ryan Depp.

Rose will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her legacy will live on with all who loved and knew her. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives to love, and we are deeply blessed to have been loved by her.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Community Church, 18160 Spruce Road Extension, Middletown.

Charlotte “Mickey” Espinosa. Courtesy photo.

Charlotte Dorothy Espinosa
Jan. 5, 1938 — March 23, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In loving memory of Charlotte Dorothy Espinosa, AKA Mickey, 86 years old and proud of it, she was an elder member of Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo.

She was a hard worker at Ventura Pacific Lemon Association in Ventura, California, for 30 years.

Mickey is predeceased by her parents, Milford Francis John and Sybil Amelia Martin; son, Kenneth Fred Jr.; and brothers, Milford, Marstin, Godfrey, Walter and Harmon.

She leaves behind her beautiful daughter, Shirley Espinoza; grandchildren, Jose Jr. Espinoza, Eddie Espinoza, Vincent Fred, Michael Fred and Maryann Quitiquit; all of her great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and godson, Christopher Burrows Jr.

We will be bringing her home to Big Valley Rancheria Gymnasium at 1002 Osprey Ct Lakeport CA 95453 on Thursday, March 28, at 11 a.m. She will be there for two days for visitation with burial on Saturday, March 30, at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Cemetery, 3295 Highway 175, Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Donald Lange. Courtesy photo.

Donald Neil Lange
Dec. 15, 1936 – Feb. 29, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Longtime Lakeport resident Don Lange — born into a Lakeport legacy dating back to the turn of the 20th century — left to be with the Lord on the last day of February, after more than 87 years of an active, energetic life — filled with too many stories to tell.

Born in Upper Lake, Don spent all but a few years of his life in Lakeport. As a young child, Don lived some formative years in both Fort Bragg and Santa Rosa, by which time his parents Harry and Mildred and his sister Shirlee settled back in Lakeport in the 1940s, when Harry and his brother Ab started Lange Bros. Construction.

Don was active all through his youth — involved in athletics, playing his trumpet and pursuing his passions — hunting and fishing. His deer hunting stories are of legend — horse-backing up to four-mile and eight-mile glades at the top of Cow Mountain with his father and uncle — initially hanging onto the horsetail as he walked all the way up when he was too young to ride … or so the story goes.

One story, told too often to count, swears of a deadly 1,000-yard shot by his uncle Walt with his .25-.35 Krag rifle and his own 18-shot episode breaking all four deer legs before the buck finally went down.

Don’s legendary stories also reflected upon his high school years, where he graduated from Clear Lake Union High School in 1955, also where his father had graduated in 1933. He relished in extolling his era of playing football with no facemasks down at the fairgrounds and all his party-time escapades with too many friends to name.

Upon graduation, Don attended Santa Rosa Junior College for a year before living in San Francisco and graduating from Heald Business School in 1959, upon which time he joined the Army Reserve and served for four years.

Don stayed in the Bay Area through the early 60s, working as an engineer for the building of Stanford’s Linear Accelerator project, until a chance encounter with a young lady in a Sausalito bar also with the last name of Lange.

In less than three months, Don married Jeneane — better known as Jaye — in 1965 and both subsequently moved to Lakeport, when Don joined his father in management of Lange Bros. Construction, where he led the business for the next 30 years.

During his time with Lange Bros., Don was heavily involved in community activities and Lakeport events. He joined Lakeport Rotary in 1973 and was president in 1984, as well as a distinguished Paul Harris Fellow. He mentored many subsequent presidents and took part in many Rotary events supporting the community.

Don’s most legendary and entertaining stories undoubtedly stem from his 50-plus year membership in the Derby Hat Club, where he joined his fishing buddies twice a year for a long weekend of drinking, storytelling, fishing — and more drinking.

Don lived his life to the fullest — always optimistic, with a smile and never a complaint. His daily trip to Bruno’s lasted hours at times, stopping in the aisle regularly to visit with friends.

He will be deeply missed by family and friends alike. With his Lakeport roots running deep, Don was proud of his heritage and his lifelong community service.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jaye; sons, Brian and Kevin; daughter-in-law, Carrie; grandchildren, Brett, Travis, Julia, Rainey and Mariah; his sister, Shirlee, and her children, Rick, Mark and Traci.

A celebration of life will be held on July 13 at 4 p.m. at the home of Traci and Kevin Medina, 3272 Scott’s Valley Road, Lakeport.

Lisa Denny. Courtesy photo.

Lisa Elaine Denny
April 24, 1967 — Feb. 28, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Very early on the morning of Feb. 28, 2024, God called Lisa to Heaven with Him.

Lisa was a very dedicated nurse and a wonderful, compassionate person who would help anyone in need that she could.

She was a two-time winner of the Daisy Award for extraordinary nurses.

Lisa was preceded in death by her mother, Karen.

She leaves behind her father, Bruce; brother, Chris; cousin, Tami; best friend, Anna; and numerous other close friends and co-workers too numerous to name.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 6, at 1 p., at the Hidden Valley Community Church, located at 18160 Spruce Road Extension in Hidden Valley Lake.

Graveside service to be held in June at the Lower Lake Cemetery.

Raymond J. Mostin
1931-2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Raymond Julian Mostin, a beloved figure in Lake County, passed away on March 7, 2024.

Born on the Gunn Ranch next to Kelsey Creek in 1931, Raymond was a lifelong resident of the area, deeply rooted in its community and culture.

His journey began at Kelseyville Elementary School, where he laid the foundations of his education, culminating in his graduation from Clear Lake Union High School in 1949.

A talented athlete, Raymond had numerous opportunities in college football. Yet, he chose wrestling at the University of California, Berkeley, skills he used in later years as a wrestling referee for the North Coast. There, he distinguished himself as captain of the university wrestling team and as an alternate to the Olympic wrestling team.

In 1953, Raymond married Eleanor May Dias, his college sweetheart, in a garden wedding at the Mostin’s Hells Bend Ranch. Together, they embarked on a life filled with love, commitment and shared dreams.

Raymond graduated with a degree in petroleum geology, while Eleanor earned her degree in business administration in 1954. Despite job offers elsewhere, they returned to Lake County, where they acquired agricultural land in Big Valley and started farming pears.

Raymond's dedication to his family and community was unparalleled. He served in various leadership roles in the Lakeport Christian Parish and the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church.

As Cubmaster, Scoutmaster and Explorer Leader of the local Boys Scouts, he mentored countless young individuals.

He contributed to the Lake County Community Concerts, worked to conserve and restore the Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse, volunteered in 4-H and Junior Horsemen, as well as serving on the Lake County Board of Supervisors as the District 5 representative and the Resource Conservation District.

Raymond's commitment to agriculture led him to become deeply involved with the Farm Bureau, where he served on the local and state boards and eventually became the executive manager of the Lake County Farm Bureau. He was also a proud member of Early Lake Lions, embodying the spirit of service and community engagement throughout his life.

Even after Eleanor's passing in 2007, Raymond remained active in his church, singing in the choir, leading bible studies and lending his handyman skills wherever needed.

Later, he found love again with Carol Metzger, with whom he shared many joyful family moments, including the delight of eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. 

Raymond Julian Mostin is survived by his wife, Carol Mostin; his children, Michael (Tracy) Mostin, David (Cheryl) Mostin and Elin (Marc) Porter; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Bleasdale, who lives in Arizona.

Raymond's life will be celebrated on April 13, 2024, at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, beginning at 1 p.m.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the church, reflecting his enduring commitment to faith and community.

Raymond's legacy of kindness, service, and devotion will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Kris Ridste. Courtesy photo.

Our dear Kris Ridste left this world last week. Kris was a hug in human form. She not only had a natural gift for making people feel seen and comfortable, but she also made a point to be the first to welcome others without judgment into the many families and communities to which she belonged. She had a knack for raising people up, and felt uplifted, herself, by doing so.

Kris lived in St. Helena, California, with her best friend and wife, Sandy Scott. After nearly 30 years together, they were recently married in a magical ceremony full of love, friends, and family in their home.

Though she called St. Helena home, Kris loved to travel with Sandy, going backpacking, taking road trips and going on cruises, and she especially treasured visits to see her dad.

It is no surprise to anyone who knew her that Kris made friends everywhere, as she had a huge heart and loved fiercely. She was part of many communities through her wealth of passions, from books to bocce ball to motorcycles.

She also used her passions to give back in so many ways. She was a part of the Sons and Daughters of Italy, she worked as a computer tech for the Sonoma County Superior Court, she and Sandy loved and supported the Cameo Cinema and ran kids’ backpacking and camping programs, she worked for many years at Copperfield’s Books, and she implemented a project that set up computer labs for a homeless shelter and for children in affordable housing.

Kris had a passion for creativity and imagination, and she loved learning new things. She not only earned a Bachelor of Science degree from USF, but she also was a perennial student of life. From jewelry-making and metal smithing, to drawing and painting, to sculpting and woodworking, to writing and sewing and cooking, if Kris wanted to do something, she ventured out and learned to do it well. She and Sandy loved to take classes together, hike together, sing together, and read together.

Kris was one of those rare and wonderful humans who could make you feel “braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” So many of us were lucky to count her as family and friend, and we will be gathering to celebrate Kris’s life at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Native Sons Hall (1313 Spring Street) in St. Helena. All are welcome.

To those who feel so inclined, memorial contributions can be sent to the Cameo Cinema or the Sons and Daughters of Italy St. Helena Lodge Scholarship Fund.

Upcoming Calendar

21May
05.21.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at Library Park
22May
05.22.2024 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lake Leadership Forum
25May
05.25.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at the Mercantile
27May
05.27.2024
Memorial Day
28May
05.28.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at Library Park
1Jun
06.01.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at the Mercantile
4Jun
06.04.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at Library Park
8Jun
06.08.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at the Mercantile

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