Frank Szumowski Jr Frank Szumowski Jr., age 72 of Alturas, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joey, and his beloved twin brother Eddie. Frank was born on September 23, 1932 to Frank and Maryann Szumowski in Nanicoke, PA. Frank was area manager for Cavins Oil Well Tools in Taft, CA for 20 years with his wife Nita as his secretary. They retired in 1992 and relocated to Alturas. Frank and Nita opened a small gift and balloon shop, "S&S Balloons" shortly after moving to Alturas and spent many happy hours there. After closing their business Frank could be found at any one of his favorite fishing holes doing what he loved best, "catching a big one". He also enjoyed working in his yard and garden, tying flies, and spending time with his family. Frank is survived by his loving wife Nita, daughters Linda Steder and husband Jim from Wisconsin, Patty Shirk and husband Richard of Alturas, son Steve and wife Rose from Kansas, five grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. His brother Henry Szumowski, sister Pauline Lacina both from Pennsylvania, brother-in-laws Jim Halepeska and wife Mary of Arizona and Rex Halepeska of California, also many nieces and nephews. Frank will be missed but will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. The following two letters were written by two of his grandchildren a couple of years ago and reflect the man he was: Some say an inspiration is someone who saves a life or scores so many points in a game. My definition would be someone who tries his hardest at everything they do or try. Frank Szumowski Jr., is my Grandpa and is a inspiration to me. His family got passports to come to the United States from Poland. My Grandfather was born September 23, 1932 and he is the strongest person mentally and physically that I have ever known. My Grandpa inspires me by his strengths and accomplishments. He has taught me lots of things in life that I will never forget. When I get older and have children of my own all of my knowledge that my Grandpa has given me will be passed on to them. He has told me many times that if I want something bad enough to work for it until I accomplish my goal. He has also taught me to treat others with respect. I love my Grandpa for all of these reasons and many more yet to come. He inspires me with such great deeds. Love Your Fishing Buddy, Brandon. I know of a man who is seventy. Who's as much of a man as a man ought to be. His skin soft and colorful like golden brown silk. I feel a calming sensation when looking in his "deep in thought" butternut brown eyes. The strength in his stare, and the deep powerful sound in his voice makes me feel so safe. He has such a calming presence when approaching someone. Walking down the street with a gleem in his eyes, he cheerfully shares a bright smile and a hello with the passerby's. Each time I go to Grandpa's to spend the summer hours, he lets me pick a bouquet of flowers. (Don't tell Grandma, hehe). His kind and gentle temperament smile and laugh that stays within. The softness of his sighs when telling jokes. He has this love and caring nature that is shared with those he knows. And always smiles, though he is not feeling up beat. My Grandpa speaks from his heart, not his lips. He is the calm breeze that seems to lift my spirit, perfect in every way. I close my eyes and what I see is someone I adore, a person who is beautiful right down into his soul. No words can describe the qualities that he shows. He will always be the same old wonderful man, no matter how old he grows. I Love you PaPa. Love Krissy. There will be no memorial service at Frank's request. Harold R. Wischmann Harold Russell Wischmann died April 25, 2005. following a short illness, at Modoc Medical Center's long term care facility. He was born February 7, 1924 in Meeker County, Minnesota Following a career in the U.S. Navy as a chef, he owned and operated the Rancho Steak House in Alturas. He has been a resident of Modoc County for 27 years. He was a member of the Alturas Elks Lodge, the Masonic Lodge and the Modoc County Sheriff's Posse. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Alturas; a daughter, Sharon and husband Mike, grandson Mike and stepson Mike Barney, stepdaughter Linda Stam, sisters Rudy Watters, Elaine Wischmann, and brother Kenneth Wischmann. Mr. Wischmann's remains will be cremated and no services will be held. Margaret E. Johnson Margaret E. Johnson passed away April 6, 2005 in Folsom, CA of cancer. Born December 29, 1916 in Los Angeles, CA to Thomas and Florence Wheeler. She was preceded in death by her husband Herman Johnson of Jamestown and great-grandson Tanner Johnson of Downsville, WI. Margaret is survived by sons Ross Johnson and his wife Linda of Cameron Park, CA and David Johnson and his wife Lois of Downsville, WI, grandsons Kevin, Jeffery, Fletcher and Forrest and eight great- grandchildren. Margaret was a graduate in nursing at UCLA, where she earned her public health certificate. She began her nursing training at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena in 1935. In 1947, she and Herman were married and were together for 42 years before his passing. She was a school nurse in Shasta County and in 1952 she and Herman and her adopted sons Ross and David moved to Cedarville in Modoc County where she started the nursing section of the new Modoc County Health Department. In 1963, they moved to Tuolumne County where Margaret was the public health nurse for the Tuolumne County Health Department until she retired in 1972. Her specialties were communicable and chronic diseases, crippled children, venereal disease and family planning. She also served in the Amador, Calaveras and Mariposa County Health Departments while in Tuolumne County. Margaret was active in Order of Eastern Star in Modoc County and was Worthy Matron in 1960. She loved to cook and loved golfing and playing Bridge with her many friends. Being from southern California she was an avid Dodger and Laker fan. A life long Democrat she loved politics and kept up on the goings on in Washington through C-Span. After retirement she was a volunteer for Hospice of the Sierra. Margaret will be missed by all. Margaret requested that in lieu of flowers that anyone wishing to should donate to hospice or to a charity of their choice Virgie M. Fender Former Alturas resident Virgie M. Fender, 86, passed away April 25, 2005 in Brownsburg, Indiana. Services will be held at Kerr Chapel in Alturas on Friday, April 29 at 1 p.m. with burial to follow in the Alturas Cemetery. Alturas Baptist Pastor Mel Chasteen will conduct the service. She was born Virgie Gentry in North Carolina on January 28, 1919. The family will provide Mrs. Fender's obituary at a future date. Manuel Russo Manuel Russo, 98, passed away in Fremont, Alameda County, CA. on January 16, 2005. Mr. Russo who split his time between in his home in Modoc County and San Jose, CA left a lasting impression with his rock work throughout Modoc County. His rock work stands at the Modoc District Fairground's gated entry, at the Modoc County Record, entry to KCNO station, many backyard barbecues, garden wishing wells and special accents he designed at his Cedar Pass retreats and the gates to his Triangle Ranch. He was born November 13, 1906. Mr. Russo enjoyed life and retired as a special delivery messenger with the U.S. Postal Service in 1961, after 35 years of service delivering mail in the eastern foothills of Santa Clara Valley. He made his home in San Jose and owned commercial property there for many years. He also built his "retreat" cabins on Cedar Creek, where he spent half of each year. Mr. Russo mentioned often that it was his Italian ancestry which enabled him to enjoy life more than most people. He was a seemingly tireless worker and a magnanimous and hospitable person, with an affinity for children and animals. He owned a trick horse named Major Comma - "The Wonder Horse" and his dog Prince, a very well trained German Shepherd. They performed at various benefits and shows in the San Jose area. Mr. Russo never charged for any of the performances -- it was all for the kids. Prince was on television more than once and photographed for the San Jose Mercury News retrieving mail from Russo's mailbox. Mr. Russo derived great pleasure in creating things for children. Later in his life, he gave of his time and resources to improve classrooms in San Jose schools, by purchasing desired equipment such as T.V.'s, gifts for the students and teachers in Special Ed classes. He called himself a kind of ""Santee" Claus. While his two sons were young (and only a year apart), Manuel built a motorcoach trailer and for five years the family traveled Oregon, Nevada and California working picking fruit during harvest season and educating his sons. Mr. Russo also raised and trained German Shepherd dogs as a hobby and enjoyed rock collecting. He began coming to the Modoc area in the 1930s. He enjoyed making treks to Modoc County and the Nevada desert as a rockhound. He made lasting impressions and long-time friends in the area. His devoted and loving wife Alva preceded him in death in the 1980s, and his youngest son Richard P. Russo died a year prior to his father's death. He is survived by a son Robert E. Russo, grandchildren and among his great-grandchildren are triplets Sage, Timber and River. Jean (Gray) Foster Jean Irene (Gray) Foster passed away February 16, 2005, at the age of 80 in Sacramento, CA. She was born Jean Irene Gray in Klamath Falls, Oregon on March 21, 1924. Mrs. Foster graduated from Modoc Union High School in Alturas, CA and retired after 30 years, from IBM as a supervisor-librarian. She was active in Beta Sigma Phi, the Ladies Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars and AmVets Ladies Auxiliary. She lived in Bend, Medford, Central Point and Malin, Oregon and in Westwood, Alturas, Quincy, Blairsden, Graeagle, Portola, Truckee, Sacramento and Los Angeles, CA. over the years. She was married to Bill Dory, Jay McKinney, Dick Gillette and Jay Foster. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Larri and Edward Powers of Brookings; grandsons Edward William Powers and his wife Mary Lee and Matthew Alan Powers and his wife Julie. Great-grandchildren Charles Edward, Julia Noel, Madison Grace, and Trenton Michael. One sister, Margaret Moyer, nieces, Sharon Moyer and Patricia Waters, nephew Donald Moyer. Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at 1 p.m. in the Land Park Chapel of Harry A. Nauman & Son, 4041 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento. Donations in Mrs. Foster's name may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 2555 49th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Modoc County, California "The Last Frontier" www.rh2o.com/modoc --- Our outgoing mail is checked by Norton AntiVirus.