Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 22 May 2024 23:57; 22 May 2024

Peter B. Ogo Sr.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Peter B. Ogo Sr. passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2024.

He was the co-founder of Pogo's Pizza Co. and a longtime pillar of the Lake County community.

Pete was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He had a larger-than-life personality, as his family would say he was the man, the myth the legend. Anyone who met him was drawn in by his infectious spirit, love for life and ability to make you feel welcome.

He enjoyed fishing and his RC cars. He was also an avid businessman growing three successful Pogo's Pizza restaurants with his wife and family.

Pete is survived by his loving wife, Penny; sons, Joe (Angelina) and Pete Jr. (Angela); nieces, Brandy (Michael) and Letitia; grandchildren, Vanessa, Arianna, Michael, Sammy, Mya, Pete III, Maurice, Isaac, Angelo and Warren; and sisters, Theresa, Rosalie and Barbara.

He is predeceased by his parents, Pedro and Carmen, and brothers, Juan, Antonio, Jose and Tito.

His beautiful life will be forever cherished in the hearts of his family and friends.

Funeral service will be held at Grace Church, 6716 Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville, on Tuesday, May 28, at 9 a.m.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 16 May 2024 02:29; 16 May 2024

Bonnie Bonnett

Bonnie Gaylene Bonnett passed away at home one year ago, on May 22, 2023, of cancer in the company of her family.

She was born April 1, 1954, in Hampton, Virginia to Thomas and Gaylene Knight Bonnett.

The family lived in Hampton until moving to Colombia, South America, where her father was stationed for two years as a major in the Army until his untimely death in an airplane crash when Bonnie was 9 years old.

She moved back to Hampton by way of family in North Carolina with her mother, sister and brother.

In 1964, her mother married Frederick J. Hines, an electrical engineer for NASA. “Poppy Fred” was thereafter a beloved stepfather to the three kids and, later, grandchildren.

Bonnie graduated from Bethel High School and ultimately decided on a career in nursing. By her own amused admission, she attended at least eight colleges before receiving her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Sonoma State University in 1989.

In supporting herself through college, the job she was fondest of was running copy at the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper.

While attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 1976, she lived downstairs from Peter Stanley, who later became her husband. They both remember a Joan Baez concert as one of their first dates.

On his graduation, they moved together to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she worked in the surgical ICU and then as a visiting nurse. She had fond memories of going to the Irish pub with co-workers after work.

In 1981, they moved to California, landing in Lakeport in 1983 by way of Los Angeles and Santa Rosa. They married in 1982 in her parents’ Hampton backyard.

In Lakeport, she became very involved with maternal-child health, teaching prenatal classes, teaching child health and nutrition at Mendocino College, being a maternal-child health educator with Lake County Public Health and working in an obstetrician’s office.

Bonnie bonded especially with the Hispanic community, being fluent in Spanish from her two years in Colombia as a child, and subsequent language and cultural studies. This bond enriched her relationships with her clients and employers throughout her career.

For the last 20 years of her career, she worked for Easter Seals with kids aged birth to 3 with disabilities, initially as an early interventionist and ultimately as the director of the Lake County office. Her greatest joy remained home visits, getting on the floor with little ones to evaluate their needs and to educate the parents on techniques that help their children adapt and develop.

Bonnie was a devout Catholic, which underpinned much of her work and relationships with others. She was very active in her church, St. Mary’s in Lakeport, and felt connected to its community. She especially liked being a part of the music at St. Mary’s, sometimes being the solo member of the choir.

She enjoyed supporting her kids, including as a swim team mom with the Channel Cats, clogging with her girls as part of the Clear Lake Clikkers and as a long-time member of the School Site Council.

She loved to sing and enjoyed being part of the Sweet Adelines, rehearsing every week and putting on performances around the lake. Her other joys included working in the garden, sewing, and cooking.

Bonnie’s biggest love was her family. She leaves behind her husband, Peter; her children, Jacob (April and granddaughter Leora), Rachel (Melissa) and Elena (Jon); sister, Susie (Robyn); brother, Jeb (Shay); and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

On the anniversary of her death, May 22, we will have a brief ceremony with unveiling of her headstone at 6 p.m. at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, after which people are welcome to join us at our home to share memories.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 14 May 2024 02:29; 14 May 2024

Michelle Beers

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Loving mother, wife and forever filled with wonderment; Michelle Beers’ love of life did not come to an end with her death.

Michelle passed April 4, 2024, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer, with her husband Bill Beers and dearest friend Karen Fassler by her side.

The simple pleasures in life brought the greatest joy to Michelle. She loved the breeze casting off the ocean, was enamored by tree frogs, loved her German shepherds Bear and Jack with her entire heart, and even found a fondness for skydiving just months before her passing.

She was an avid night sky observer, making sure to catch each and every meteor shower while encouraging her children to find the beauty in astronomy as they gazed by her side.

Her curiosity didn’t extend to the skies alone, as her favorite pastime was exploring the hillsides for Lake County diamonds after the sun would reawaken behind passing rain storms.

Michelle had an uncanny way of keeping her childlike wonder and contagious humor even in the harshest of life’s moments. She loved smiley faces which was simply befitting as she would always seek any reason to smile, even in the darkest of times.

Her love of the natural world and inherent curiosity live on within her three children, Chelsea, Cody and Cory, and she is survived by her husband and loving mother Beverly Pavlischek.

Though the world is left dimmer in her passing, her light shall continue to shine on.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 17 May 2024 03:13; 17 May 2024

Judy Rennacker

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Judy Lynn Halter Rennacker passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in the comfort of her home on Jan. 10, 2024, at the age of 62.

Judy was a cosmetologist and loved working with people. She will be remembered for the love she had for her family, friends and "furry companions.” She was an avid supporter of the Stray Cats Program in Lake County.

Her favorite pastime was working in her garden and watching the beautiful sunsets over her hometown in Nice, California. She will be missed by everyone who loved her.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 8, at Xabatin Community Park, 800 N. Main St. in Lakeport from 1 to 3 p.m.

Please join our family as we celebrate and share together the memories and cherish the moments of the life of Judy. Please bring your memories and stories, a picnic lunch, a lawn chair, a blanket, and your favorite beverage. Judy would love to see you all in cool and cute summer dresses or shorts.

Donations can be made to SPCA of Lake County, 8025 Highway 29, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 15 May 2024 00:10; 15 May 2024

Penelope L. Sequeira

‘Penny’ Sequeira
May 15, 1941 – May 04, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Penelope Sequeira “Penny” passed away on May 4, 2024, just shy of her 83rd birthday.

Penny came to Lake County when she was 33 years old and fell in love with Clear Lake. She moved her young family here shortly thereafter and stayed for 49 years.

Penny co-owned the Green Acres Resort in Lakeport, California, with her husband. They eventually sold it, but Penny continued to work as a bookkeeper and admissions specialist at Lakeport Skilled Nursing for 10 years and before that, she was a bartender at the bowling alley and various other establishments around the lake.

Penny was an amazing mom, a loyal friend and a good woman. She lived life “her way” and loved life in general. The lake, the outdoors, her friends and family all brought her joy. Penny had a knack for seeing the bright side and inspires us all to do the same.

Her only surviving son, Steven (Jenelle) will miss her beyond measure, along with her best friend, Bobbi Campbell. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Nicole and Cole; and her cat, Muffin.

A celebration of life will be planned in the future. Please contact her son Steven for further details.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 10 May 2024 02:20; 10 May 2024

Carolyn Henderson

Carolyn Marion Henderson
April 25, 1927 — April 25, 2024

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Carolyn M. Henderson left us on her 97th birthday. She was a fourth generation member of the pioneer Merritt family who settled in Big Valley in 1871.

Her ancestors owned and farmed the land along the south side of Merritt Road from Adobe Creek to the top of the hill. Her grandfather, Fred Merritt, went into politics, serving first as county assessor, then county clerk for over 20 years. Her mother, Marion Merritt Fraser, lived most of her life on the ranch property, but her career was teaching art and mechanical drawing predominantly at Clear Lake High School.

Carolyn and her older brother, Merritt, grew up on the Merritt Road ranch, which was planted by then in pears and walnuts instead of grain. Carolyn said that it was so quiet in the valley back then that she could sometimes hear the train whistle from Hopland.

She attended local schools, skipping third grade, and graduated with a scholarship to U.C. Berkeley. However, after one year of college she met Robert L. Henderson and married him in the fall of 1945. He was the only child of Lewis Homer Henderson and grandson of Lewis Henderson, one of Lake County's first commercial pear growers.

Bob and Carolyn raised three daughters — Diane, Christine and Melissa — on the original Henderson home ranch in Kelseyville where Bob continued to farm pears. They bought more pear orchards and mountain properties, and Carolyn learned to hunt, fish, ride horses and shoot trap. She learned to haul horses for her girls' Junior Horsemen activities and 4-H animals for the fair. In addition, she became a founding member of the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, or CWA.

Following Bob's premature death in 1980, Carolyn not only continued the family farming operation, but also served on the board and one year as president of the former Kelseyville Packing Co. In addition she served as industry representative for the California Tree Fruit Agreement doing radio and television work promoting pears.

In 1982 daughter Diane left a teaching position at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo to come home and help with the farming. She bought her own orchard to add to the home ranch and within a few years became Carolyn's ranch manager. They made a good team and the ranch survived some rough times and became increasingly productive.

In 1984 Carolyn married Edward A. "Skip" Rohner, a long-time family friend who had also lost his spouse. Together they enjoyed 39 years of hunting, fishing, trapshooting, traveling and entertaining. They greatly enjoyed music and danced beautifully together.

Carolyn also loved reading, crosswords, tennis, swimming, gardening and feeding the assorted wild birds around her home.

She was stoic in the face of hardships and did her best to look for the positives in life. She had grit — or what she would call "gumption." She never gave up, that is until she lost Skip.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Diane Lee Henderson; grandson, Lee Alan Yecny; son-in-law, Alan Keith Yecny; and a niece, two nephews, and several great- and great-great-nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her daughters, Christine Henderson Yecny and Melissa Henderson; her granddaughter, Lynn Annette Patten; and her grandson, Keith Henderson Yecny.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 31, in the pavilion at Kelseyville Cemetery. It will be a combined service for both Carolyn and husband Skip Rohner.

Following the service there will be a gathering for refreshments and stories at The Ripe Choice Farm located at 2550 Soda Bay Road.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Martha Stokes Panella Scholarship Fund, which benefits students of Kelseyville High School, or donate to a charity of your choice. To donate to the fund, send a check made out to U.S. Charitable Gift Trust and designate the Martha Stokes Panella Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mail to Strong Financial, P.O. Box 670, Lakeport, CA 95453.

Obits

Peter B. Ogo Sr.

Bonnie Bonnett

Michelle Beers

Judy Rennacker

Penelope L. Sequeira

Carolyn Henderson

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