Former Lake County Supervisor Carl M. Larson died Sunday, January 3, 2009, at age 81. Photo courtesy of Kelly Cox.

Former Lake County Supervisor Carl M. Larson passed away on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at the age of 81.

Born in Nebraska on Dec. 9, 1928, Larson was raised in Oklahoma and later joined the United States Air Force. He met Mavis, his wife and best friend, while stationed in England. Carl and Mavis recently celebrated their 57th anniversary.

Carl retired from the Air Force in 1974, after which he and Mavis moved to Lake County, having built a home in Clearlake Park and later relocating to Clearlake Oaks where he and Mavis have resided since 1982.

He was appointed by the Lake County Board of Supervisors to serve as the county’s planning commissioner for District 2 in January 1979, a position he held until February 1981 when he was appointed by Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. to fill an unexpired term for the District 2 Supervisor, after the death of Supervisor Bill Whalen.

In 1982 he ran for the seat unopposed and was elected to a full term. Upon completion of that term, he decided not to run for re-election and he retired in January of 1987.

Eight years later, friends and supporters talked him into coming out of retirement and running for the seat again. He was elected to his final four year term on the Board of Supervisors in 1994 and retired for the last time in January 1999, when Jeff Smith, the current District 2 supervisor, took office.

Throughout his years of service on the Lake County Board of Supervisors, Larson was known for his outstanding character, his integrity, his kindness and the dedication with which he served his constituents.

He served with distinction as the Board of Supervisors Chairman and represented the county of Lake on numerous committees, commissions and joint powers authority governing boards.

After retiring for a second time from the Board of Supervisors, Carl continued serving the community in several ways, volunteering as a member of the board of directors of the SPCA of Clear Lake and the SPCA Endowment Fund Board. He also served as a director of the Redbud Health Care District.

His public service and accomplishments on behalf of the people of Lake County earned him widespread appreciation and gratitude.

In addition to his wife Mavis of Clearlake Oaks, Larson is survived by several close friends, many of whom are his former colleagues in county government.

At his request, no services are being held. Donations in memory of Carl M. Larson may be made to the SPCA of Clear Lake or to the local charity of your choice.

Born in Phoenix, Ariz., on June 21, 1949, he is survived by his mother, Charlotte Giebelhaus; sisters, Susan Giebelhaus and Becky Larson; brother, Mark Giebelhaus; and his beloved cats, Rose, Plum and Pere.

He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Wesley Giebelhaus Sr.; his former wife, Naiya Trey; and his partner, James Mehl.

Gregory lived in San Francisco for over 30 years under the name Simon Verocchio. During his time in San Francisco he lived in the Castro District. He was an avid collector of books, music and art.

He was always an activist and was most recently an active and valued member (and current secretary) of Lucerne Friends of Locally Owned Water and the Lucerne Community Garden.

Gregory was a gentle, soft-spoken man whose intelligence and kindness made him a treasured friend and he will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19, 2009, at 3630 Country Club Drive, Space 3A, Lucerne.

Following the service there will be a potluck so his friends can share their memories of this dear man.

Corresponding services will be held in San Francisco at 11 a.m. in Golden Gate Park.

Lawrence Thompson died Dec. 19, 2009, at age 71. Courtesy photo.

Lawrence Monroe Thompson, known as “Sonny Boy” and “Larry,” died on Dec. 19, 2009 in Redding, Calif. Larry was born Sept. 4, 1938, at Upper Lake Rancheria, Upper Lake, Calif.

He is survived by his sisters and brothers, Patricia A. Thompson, Jeanette Holder, Marion C. Quitiquit, Luwana F. Quitiquit, Steven D. Quitiquit, Cheryl A. Anderson, Godfrey D. Quitiquit, Wanda A. Quitiquit, Denise A. Quitiquit, Lalaine A. Quitiquit, Michael W. Quitiquit, Robert D. Quitiquit and Irenia A. Quitiquit; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Larry was predeceased by his mother, Marie Boggs Quitiquit of Robinson Rancheria, Nice, Calif; father, Hensley “Ike” Thompson of Upper Lake, Calif; stepfather, Clara A. Quitiquit of Stockton, Calif.; and brothers Ludwig, Gregory and Adrian Quitiquit. Larry was the grandson of the late Lydia Thompson Sleeper, who was born at Big Valley and was a prominent basketweaver.

Larry grew up in Stockton in the agricultural area of Union Island along the Middle River of Clifton Court Bay. Like his brothers, he learned to be an expert fisherman and boatman.

Larry served a big part in the 1969 Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island where he captained the boat transporting people from San Francisco Pier No. 40 to the island. Larry was the only Indian who knew how to drive and handle the care of the boat which was donated by the rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. Larry safely transported many of the celebrities and Indians from all over the nation to the island. He even participated in the rescue of a family whose boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay.

After Alcatraz Island, Larry was married for a time to Laura [Nomellini] and lived for several years in Stockton, finally settling in Redding.

Services will be held at Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapels in Anderson, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at 1 p.m.

For more information, call 530-365-5466.

Heather Anderson died Dec. 17, 2009. Photo courtesy of Diana Anderson.

Heather Danielle (“Mugwhy”)Anderson, formerly of Nice and more recently a resident of Chapmantown near Chico, died Dec. 17, 2009, in Omak, Wash. She was 24 years old.

She was born on June 12, 1985. She came into this world fighting and left us fighting.

Heather loved life, dancing, playing pool with family and friends and karaoke at the bar. Most of all, she loved her family, especially her nieces and nephews, Jesse, Chamonte, Raymond, Keana, Daniel, Kaleb, Arriela, Kaylee and Nayela.

She is survived by her children, McGruff, the ankle biter and tuff the stuff. She is also survived by her parents, mother, Diana and husband, Steve; dad, Ross; sisters, Rosita/Pete, Monica and husband, Dwayne Duncan, Elizabeth and husband, Billy Quenga, Christina and husband, Tucker Goggin; brothers, Anthony and Andrew and Andrew's girlfriend, Jodi, all of Chico, and best friends, Jess and Ida. She also leaves behind her maternal grandmother and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

MUGWHY WE WILL LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU FOREVER TILL THE END OF TIME.

A private viewing for Heather Anderson's family will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at Brusie Funeral Home, 626 Broadway, Chico.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at East Avenue Community Church, 1184 E. Ave., Chico.

Guestbook entries may be left at www.brusiefuneralhome.com or below.

Arrangements are being handled by Brusie Funeral Home, Chico.

Michael Meese, a veteran law enforcement officer who played a key role in solving the Polly Klaas case, died Nov. 23, 2009, at the age of 55. Courtesy photo.

Mike Meese, April 25, 1954 - Nov. 23, 2009. Mike passed away peacefully at his home in Kelseyville on Nov. 23. Mike was born in Detroit and raised in Libertyville, Ill. At 17 he joined the Army to serve his country and to fulfill his ambition and dream to serve as a military policeman.

He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in 1993 and the University of San Francisco in 1996 with his Masters Degree in Public Administration.

Mike began his career in law enforcement in 1981 with the Petaluma Police Department, working his way quickly up the ranks and being promoted to sergeant in just six short years. During that time he also served as SWAT Supervisor and Watch Commander. He also was the lead investigator on the Polly Klaas case, finding key evidence and using his influence to garner a confession from the perpetrator.

After 15 years and the conclusion of the Polly Klaas case, Mike left to join the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office staff as an investigator in 1996. Mike’s career led him next to take a position first as the Assistant Chief of the University of Nevada Reno Police Force and then eventually finishing his law enforcement career as Chief of the Hopland Rancheria of Public Safety in Mendocino County.

Mike joined the Santa Rosa Junior College faculty in 1987 and became a full time administration of justice instructor in 2006, receiving tenure in November.

Mike loved going fifth wheeling with his wife Michelle and other members of his family; he was passionate about cooking and reading anything that had to do with military ships, planes or tanks.

Mike is survived by his loving and devoted wife and best friend, Michelle; his sisters, Mindy Beers and Marilyn Rasco; his devoted children, Todd and his wife Sheri Meese of Hidden Valley Lake, and Frank Meese of Reno, Nev.; his adoring grandchildren, Victoria Meese, who he and Michelle had been raising for most of her life, Jolon Cisneros, Tiyanna Meese, Ceceilia Meese and Kendra Meese.

Michelle’s love and dedication gave him the support and encouragement he needed to live life to the fullest, an inspiration to us all. His family, friends and community will miss him.

A celebration of Michael Meese’s life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, starting at 1 p.m. in Burbank Auditorium on the Santa Rosa Junior College Campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions be made to either the college fund for Victoria Meese or to the Debra D. Meese Scholarship Fund through the SRJC Foundation, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95401.