Modoc County Record – May 17, 2007 Beth A. Osterby Returning Alturas resident Beth Anne Osterby, 17, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2007 as the result of a car accident in North Pole, Alaska where she had been living. Beth was born Feb. 6, 1990 in Fairbanks, Alaska. She attended North Pole Elementary School, North Pole Middle School and was a junior at North Pole High School. She had attended Modoc High School as a sophomore and had planned to fly back to Alturas, CA May 28, so she could finish her senior year at Modoc High School, and live with her mother Laurie and step-father Jason Teal of Alturas. Beth was a former gymnast and a member of Order of Rainbow for Girls. She had a kind heart and was a beautiful, caring young lady who will be missed by everyone who knew her. She had many friends in Alturas and she was looking forward to returning to Alturas. Her funeral will be held at 12:30 p.m. today, May 17, at Friends Community Church, 1485 30th Ave. in Fairbanks, AK. A reception will follow at the Masonic Lodge, 10th Ave. and Noble Street. Beth will be laid to rest in Sperry, Oklahoma. Beth is survived by her father Ray Osterby of North Pole, AK; her mother and stepfather Laurie and Jason Teal of Alturas, CA; sister Teri Osterby Taylor of Hollywood, CA; brother Christopher Osterby of North Pole, AK; maternal grandparents Michael and Carol Smith; step-grandparents, James and Janice Teal; uncles Robert Curry and family, Daniel Osterby and uncle Charles Baxter and family; aunts, Diane Withorn and family, Marilyn Baxter, Shirley Merckley and family, Sharon Baxter and family and Cassandra and family; step-uncles, James Teal and family and Jesse Teal, and many friends. Arrangements were by Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home. Joan Norman California Pines resident Joan Norman passed away of natural causes at her home on May 14, 2007. Mrs. Norman, age 60, was born in Lumberton, New Jersey on July 29, 1946. She was the owner and operator of bookkeeping services. She and husband Marc had moved to Modoc County eight years ago. Services are pending, with arrangements being made through Kerr Mortuary, Alturas. Lillie May Kunert Lillie May Kunert passed away April 15, 2007 in Redding, CA. Mrs. Kunert would have been 83 on May 30. She was born Lillie May Johnson in 1924 in Pontotoc Stonewall, Oklahoma and completed the eighth grade in Porterville, CA. She married her husband of 54 years, LeRoy Edward Kunert, Sr., on March 9, 1950, in Visalia, CA. Upon LeRoy's discharge from military service, the family resided in Porterville for 12 years. The family moved to Sisters, OR and arrived in Surprise Valley in 1974, where LeRoy worked on several ranches while Lillie tended the house, children and cooked for the ranch hands. The Kunert's resided in Surprise Valley for 31 years and upon LeRoy's passing December 23, 2004, Lillie moved to Alturas to be closer to her son. Lillie loved being with her family. She had an extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers and dolls. She enjoyed sewing and created many outfits for the dolls. She was a wonderful cook, wife, mother, friend and confidant. As per her wishes, no services will be held. Donations may be made to any charity of the donor's choice. Mrs. Kunert is survived by her daughter Judie Hunt and husband Bob of Porterville, CA; son LeRoy Kunert, Jr. and girlfriend Melissa Berkshire of Phoenix, AZ; son Jeff Kunert and wife Cheryl of Alturas, CA; grandson Robert Hunt and wife Carol of Lincoln, CA; granddaughter Kara Lee Kunert of Redmond, OR; grandson David Kunert and wife Angie of Tillamook, OR; grandsons Jeremy and Sean Kunert, Rex and Kaid Kunert of Alturas, CA; sister Edith Bettancourt and husband Tony of Morgan Hill, CA; sister Mary Woods and husband Woody of Pasadena, TX; sister Caludie Bowden of Arkansas; great-grandchildren J.C. Hammer, Jordan and Karia Newgen of Redmond, OR; Shelby and Carter Kunert of Tillamook, OR; Joshua, Melissa, Caleb, James and Mark Hunt of Lincoln, CA. Margarie Nelson Margarie Nelson died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, of natural causes at Modoc Medical Center in Alturas, CA. She was 92. Margarie was born August 3, 1914 in Mangum, Oklahoma, to parents Robert and Theo Roberts. She graduated from high school in Mangum, and on November 18, 1933, she married her high school sweetheart, Lonnie Nelson. In 1947, Margarie, Lonnie and daughter Marilyn, moved from Oklahoma to Alturas, where she spent the rest of her life. Margarie worked for Henderson Motors for several years, then worked for the City of Alturas Clerk's Office. She retired from there in 1977. Margarie was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She loved to play cards and belonged to a duplicate Bridge club for over 25 years. She also loved to sew and she crocheted many afghans for her family. She and Lonnie enjoyed camping and fishing together. After Lonnie passed away in June 1993, she spent several winters at Lake Havasu with Marilyn and her husband Ernie. She will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends. Margarie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Ernie Hess, Alturas, CA; grandson Mike Hess and wife Marcie, Allen, TX; grandson Keith Hess and wife Lesley, Durham, CA; great-grandchildren Tim and Danielle Hess, Allen, TX; Whitney, Taylor, Nick and Alex Hess, Durham, CA; several nieces, nephews and friends. Margarie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Lonnie Nelson; grandson Barry Hess; brother Lamar Roberts; sisters Lorene Stiles and Margie Lee Henderson. Margarie will be laid to rest beside her husband. A memorial will be held this summer in Alturas. Donations may be made to the Federated Community Church, Alturas, CA. Nancy Slosson and James E. Slosson, PhD Nancy Jane (Samuel) Slosson, 82, a long-time resident of Sherman Oaks, California, passed away April 27, 2007, from complications of congestive heart failure. Nancy was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 11, 1924. Nancy spent her early childhood in Douglas, Arizona, where her Welsh-born father, John Moore Samuel was a mining engineer, and her mother, Gladys Doane Samuel, was a school teacher She moved with her family to Los Angeles, California, and graduated from Los Angeles High School and the University of Southern California. Nancy was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority at USC and graduated with a BS in Business and Marketing in 1947. Nancy was an avid Trojan football fan, attending games as a school girl, and later, accompanied by her husband. A loyal Trojan fan, Nancy rarely missed a home game in over 65 years. While at USC, she met and married James Edward Slosson. Nancy was a wildlife enthusiast and actively supported the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo, as well as other zoos across the country. Whenever she accompanied Jim to geologic conferences, she would always visit the local zoo. Her favorite animal was the Sea Otter, and she contributed to the Long Beach Aquarium Sea Otter Exhibit. Nancy and Jim were active supporters of USC Track and Field for their entire adult life. Nancy served as President and Business Manager for her husband's consulting geology practice, Engineering Geology Consultants, for over 30 years. Nancy was active in civic affairs, including the Federation of Republican Women's Club of the San Fernando Valley and the Carrousels, a San Fernando Valley service organization. Nancy was a volunteer at the Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys. Believing in public service, Nancy and Jim often hosted and organized candidate and public forum events in their home and at their favorite Topanga Canyon retreat, the Trippet Ranch. Nancy also volunteered on many local and municipal campaigns. James E. Slosson, Ph.D., a native of Van Nuys, California, passed away the next day, April 28, 2007 at the age of 84 after a lengthy illness. They moved down the road as they had in life: together. Jim Slosson was born April 12, 1923 in one of the first ranch houses in Van Nuys. He graduated from Van Nuys High School, where he excelled in track competitions. He graduated from the University of Southern California and pursued his passion for track and field events, as well as an eventual profession in geology. Jim Slosson was a three-year varsity letterman on the USC track team in 1946, 1947 and 1948. In 1947, Jim married Nancy Jane Samuel, and began a life together that spanned 60 years. Jim served in the U.S. Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He also served as a reserve in the Naval Reserve and the California National Guard. Jim graduated from USC in 1950 with a Master's degree in Geology. After graduation, Jim was an assistant track coach at USC from 1955-1962, under the direction of Coaches Dean Cromwell and Jess Hill. He coached Max Truex, who competed with the U.S. Olympic Team in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome games. Mel Hein was a member of the USC track team under Assistant Coach Slosson, excelling at the pole vault. Jim took joy in the many accomplishments of his student athletes and pupils, maintaining long relationships with many, near and far. In 1958, Jim received his doctorate from the University and began his career in geologic consulting. Jim was a charter faculty member of Los Angeles Valley College, serving as Professor of Geology and Chair of the Geology Department at Valley College from 1975-1984. He also served as California State Geologist and Chief of the Division of Mines and Geology from 1973 to 1975. As State Geologist, he introduced a series of Guidelines for Practice, which had enormous impact on raising the standard of care of engineering and environmental geologists, not only in California, but nationwide. Dr. Slosson worked for the City and County of Los Angeles and the State of California. Dr. Slosson helped develop and pass the Seismic Safety Commission Act of 1975, which established the State Seismic Safety Commission to advise the Governor, State Legislature, state and local government on ways to reduce earthquake risk. He served on the Seismic Safety Commission for 8 years. James also served on the State Board of Geologists and Geophysicists. James was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Geological Society of America for 2 years and on the Board of Directors of the Dibblee Geologic Foundation. He was often sought after by the news media as a consultant following numerous earthquakes and landslides in California. He volunteered to develop basic applied geology programs for the education and training of geology inspectors and engineers, and presented numerous talks on earthquakes, landslides and other geologic hazards. Dr. Slosson had published over 100 articles emphasizing the geologic processes associated with landslides, sedimentation and flooding. Jim and Nancy never missed a USC/UCLA Dual Track Meet. In fact, James watched the 2007 Dual Track Meet with his beloved family in his hospital room the day he passed away. While their permanent home was located in the San Fernando Valley, Jim and Nancy also spent a great deal of time each year at their cabin in Modoc County, in the little town of Likely, California. The Slosson's first encountered Modoc County in the 1950's. They initially enjoyed a very primitive cabin near Soup Springs in Jess Valley, eventually exchanging that for a comfortable log cabin at Pine Shadow Village at the northeastern end of Jess Valley. Jim acted as the County Geologist for Modoc and Lassen Counties for a number of years and worked on several geologic projects in the area. Coach Slosson also found summer work for many of his track athletes during the summer months in Modoc. They both enjoyed the country life at the end of the meadow in Jess Valley. Jim hunted and fished with Nancy and friends, and Nancy prepared his catches. They also shared a love of horses, golden retrievers and Jack Russell terriers. Jim and Nancy are survived by their daughter, Bonnie Slosson and her husband, Michael D'Onofrio, of Sacramento, and their son, Thom Slosson, his wife, Lynn, and two grandchildren, Clint, 21, and Katelyn Slosson, 18. Jim is survived by his brother Jack Slosson and his wife, Eleanor, of Carmichael, CA. Jim and Nancy also shared their love with godson Gary Hein and his family of Walnut Creek, and the entire Hein family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following organizations: Trojan Force of the USC Track and Field, Dr. James Slosson Academic Achievement Award, Attn: Ron Orr, USC Heritage Hall, Los Angeles, California, 90089-0602; Los Angeles Valley College Foundation, 5800 Fulton Ave., Valley Glen, CA 91401, Attn: Slosson Memorial; Richard O. Stone Scholarship Fund, USC College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, ADM 204, Los Angeles, California, 90089-4015; Likely Volunteer Fire Department , PO Box 515, Likely California, 96116; and Great Basin Institute, PO Box C, Cedarville, California, 96104, Private celebrations of the lives of Jim and Nancy Slosson are being planned by the family at USC and Likely, California. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.