Modoc County Record – April 12, 2001 Dorothy Dorris Long-time Modoc resident Dorothy Dorris, 81, passed away in her sleep the morning of April 4, 2001 at Modoc Medical Center Long Term Care in Alturas, Calif. She had been in declining health for the past two years, suffering from congestive heart failure. Born Dorothy Atkinson on August 24, 1920 in New Castle on Tyne, England, to Thomas and Alice Atkinson, she attended schools in Newcastle and served in the English Land Army during the war, farming the English countryside while the men were off fighting. After the war, she first visited the United States in 1944 staying with an uncle who lived in Alturas. She met her future husband George Bailey Dorris during that visit and the two struck up a special friendship. Dorris was the grandson of one of the pioneering Dorris family that began ranching in Modoc County in the late 1800s. After she returned to England, months later she received a letter from Bailey asking her to marry him. The letter included a boat ticket to New York for the following week. Needing more time than a week to put her English affairs in order, she changed the ticket and arrived in San Francisco, where Bailey met her. The two drove to Reno where they were married and took up residence on the Dorris Lazy UF Ranch, just south of Alturas. In later years, the ranch was sold to the United States Department of Wildlife and became what is today, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge. While building a new home at the top of Parker Creek Canyon, the couple lived in Alturas. In 1972 Bailey died suddenly while visiting Dorothy's family in England. She sold the Parker Creek home and moved back into Alturas. Dorothy approached every aspect of her life with an enthusiasm and zeal that endeared her to everyone she met. She learned to ride horses and was often a part of the Dorris Ranch buckaroo crew. When the ranch cook didn't show or quit, Dorothy would cook for days on end for a full hay or cowboy crew, sometimes for as many as 40. One of her favorite past times was hunting ducks on one of the many ranch ponds, often sharing a duck blind with long-time friend Evie Younger. She also enjoyed playing bridge, an activity that proved to build lasting friendships. Three of her friends, Evelyn Lederer, Lillian Fitzpatrick and Pat Conwell played almost every Tuesday afternoon for 30 years. Later in life she took up golf and enjoyed the game. Although she never had children of her own, she was an aunt, Godmother and second mom to numerous kids throughout her life. She followed their horse shows, sporting events, often bringing picnic lunches and carting kids around when a mom's schedule conflicted. Dorothy was a member of the Federated Church and contributed and volunteered for several local charities. Since she met Bud Porter, the two have been inseparable as companions throughout the past 21 years, dividing their time between Alturas and Palm Springs, with annual trips to England to visit her family. She is survived by long-time companion Bud Porter of Alturas; her sister Monica Mollath in England; cousin Jimmy Barker and wife Mildred of Woodland; nieces Sandy Poupeny, Reno; Jill Clarkson, Belgium; and nephews Rick Parker and John Harvey; grand nieces and nephews. John and Evie Younger's children Liz, Jay, Dorothy and the late David, knew Dorothy as a second mom. Cremation is under the direction of Kerr Mortuary. The Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra will hold a graveside memorial service on Wednesday, April 18 at 11 a.m. at the Alturas Cemetery. Following the service, everyone is invited to attend a gathering at the Federated Church Hall to celebrate Dorothy's life. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Modoc County Historical Society, 600 So. Main St., Alturas, CA 96101 or to the American Cancer Society. William Hosken 'Bill' Hansen KCNO Radio operator, manager and long-time radio broadcaster William Hosken Hansen, 87, lost his life in an auto accident outside of Alturas, Calif. on April 6, 2001. Services will be held at Kerr Mortuary Chapel in Alturas today, April 12 at 10:00 a.m., with burial at the Cedarville, Calif. Cemetery. William Hosken Hansen was born in Long Beach, Calif. on February 5, 1914 to Emile and Kate Hansen. He completed ninth grade in Long Beach schools. He married Thelma D. Beckwith in September 1934. She preceded him in death. Mr. Hansen worked as a spotter in a dry cleaning plant in those early years. A son, Robert, was born in 1935 and another son, Richard, was born in 1940. During his years in the dry cleaning plant, he began studying radio. This led to a career in radio repair and his final goal of obtaining his First Class Commercial Radio Engineering License. In the early 1940s, he worked as an engineer and announcer in several Oregon radio stations. In 1953, he started the K-Boy radio station in Medford, Ore., followed by K-Lad, Klamath Falls, Ore. and K-Dan in Eureka, Calif. He then managed K-Dov, Medford, Ore. and KCNO, Inc., Alturas, Calif., for the past 35 years. As a Christian, his faith in Jesus Christ was his inspiration to spread the Gospel to all who would listen. He and Mona McClain of Alturas, were married in Elko, Nev. on April 18, 1975. They were to have celebrated 26 years of marriage this month. Clergy Marvin Newell will hold today's services. Mr. Hansen is survived by his wife Mona Hansen of Cedarville, Calif.; two sons, Robert Hansen of Camano Island, Wash. and Richard Hansen of Redding, Calif.; seven grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. In addition he had four stepchildren, Peggy, Pam, Don and Dan and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. The family suggest memorial donations be directed to the Lakeview Nazarene Church, Lakeview, Ore. Bob Bunyard Long-time Surprise Valley rancher Bob Bunyard passed away from cancer on April 4, 2001 in Cedarville, Calif. He was 70. Mr. Bunyard was born in Lakeview, Ore. on October 17, 1930 to Susan Elizabeth Toney Bunyard and John Elvy Bunyard. He spent his first three years of life in Oregon. He attended Surprise Valley High School in Cedarville where he met his future wife Mary Lartirigoyen. The two were married in Reno, Nevada on December 26, 1948 and shared a marriage of 53 years, until his passing. The couple purchased a ranch outside of Cedarville, where they raised sheep, cattle and grew alfalfa. They owned and operated the ranch for 50 years and sold it three years ago when they "moved into town" in Cedarville. Mr. Bunyard was a great fan and big supporter of all the Surprise Valley High School sports events. "He loved them all and enjoyed watching his boys and grandchildren participating in sporting events," said his wife. He also very much enjoyed branding cattle in the spring and fall. He was a past member of the Modoc County Cattlemen's Association and Modoc County Farm Bureau. He was preceded in death by his sister Irene Sanderson. Mr. Bunyard is survived by his wife Mary of Cedarville; two sons, Michael and John; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in Surprise Valley; a brother Elvy Bunyard in Salt Lake City, Utah and several nieces and nephews. The Rev. Dr. Ben Zandstra held services at graveside on April 7 at 1 p.m. at the Cedarville Cemetery. Donations in Mr. Bunyard's memory may be directed to the Surprise Valley Hospital, Cedarville, CA 96104. Edwin Clarence Stopp (Photo not available) Edwin Clarence Stopp's closest kin and friends consider him an extraordinary person. They recall their unforgettable summers on the Stopp's ranch near Lake City, where he showed them his sense of humor, taught them to love the Creator, the soil and at the end of each summer day he would drive everyone out for a swim at the old Leonards' Pool on 40 Lane. His zest for hard work and honesty were traits that he imparted to all close to him. He led an interesting life flying biplanes, racing cars and as a master mechanic for the Carmel elite, and a Franklin and Hupmobile agency owner during his younger years living in Monterey. Few really knew what a unique person he was, notes his daughter Cynthia Charles, because his ranch absorbed him. Mr. Stopp passed away in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, Calif. at the age of 94 on March 5, 2001. He and wife Lucile celebrated 66 years of marriage last year. Born in Toledo, Ohio on January 27,1907, he moved with his family at an early age to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he learned Spanish while playing with neighborhood children. "He had two, first languages, Spanish and English, throughout his life," said his daughter. Clarence spoke Spanish so fluently, he was asked while in Mexico, what part of Mexico he was from. His parents and their seven children moved from new Mexico to California where they camped in a tent and the children played on what is now Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles. His father was hired to build the arched windows of the Ambassador Hotel there. In the late 1920s Clarence graduated as a master mechanic from Heald College in San Francisco. He moved to the Monterey Peninsula near his brother who owned a Jersey Dairy in Pacific Grove. Clarence started a Franklin and Hupmobile Agency and Garage where he worked on cars of the Carmel elite. Among his customers and friends were actors, Col. Fitch of Ft. Ord, and Charles and Anne Lindbergh. Clarence became a specialist in working on the air cooled Franklin cars and people brought their cars to him from as far as New York. He enjoyed Anne Morrow Lindbergh's company as they used to ride around the Peninsula together. "She could shift at stop signs with a Franklin, like a race car driver," he told his family. While Lucile Cramton of Lake City was attending the birth of her niece in Pacific Grove, she met Clarence. They fell in love and married in Reno, Nev. August 20, 1934. Lucile's parents lived on the 49 Lane near Lake City and her father, Oliver Cramton, telegramed that the Enich Reynolds ranch was for sale. The newlyweds sold their new home overlooking the Monterey Peninsula directly above what is now Monterey Bay Aquarium and purchased the Reynolds Ranch. That ranch was Clarence's joy. He loved his angus, reservoirs, the wildlife and the solitude. The family later realized that the ranch, surrounded by its beautiful mountains and cloud formations, must have reminded Clarence of his happy childhood in New Mexico. Mr. Stopp never ceased to amaze his Spanish-speaking caregivers with his fluent Spanish, even near the end of his life. A celebration of Clarence's life was held in the home of his daughter Cynthia Charles in Healdsburg. Mr. Stopp was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was President of the Soil Conservation Service for many years. He is survived by his devoted wife and working partner, Lucile; daughters Cynthia Charles of Healdsburg and Charlynn Long of Montague; grandchildren, Christopher Robertson of Santa Rosa, Chester Robertson of Mill Valley, Leticia Brent of Peoria, Ariz. and three great-grandchildren. _ His cremains will be placed at the Lake City Cemetery at a later date. Correspondence may be sent to the Stopp family, c/o Lucile Stop, Dutra Guest Home, P.O. Box 4, Montague, CA 96064. Dale Weigand (Photo not available) Dale Weigand, 61, passed away from cancer on March 27, 2001 at his home in Chico, Calif. He was born September 17, 1939, on the family ranch to Lawrence and Norma Weigand. Dale attended Center School, Bieber Elementary, Bieber High School and Healds Business College in Sacramento. He married Janice Clark of Adin in 1960. Mr. Weigand operated his own logging truck in Burney for seven years, then moved to Chico and drove fuel trucks and freight trucks for 35 years. He received a one million mile safety award from Yellow Freight. Funeral services were officiated by Jeff Jones and his father and lifetime friends Donald Jones. Interment was at Glen Oaks Memorial Park, Chico. Dale is survived by his wife, Janice; two daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and Dave Sayer of Chico; Valerie and Jim Dugan, two grandchildren, Nicholus and Jacquilin of Clovis; sister Cleo Hunt and brother Stan Weigand of Adin. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Avis Crews. Donations may be sent to Big Valley Historical Museum, Bieber, Hospice or any organization of the donor's choice. Lyda Laura Brown (Photo not available) Lyda Laura Brown, 78, a 10-year resident of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, Calif., died suddenly at her home on the evening of March 21, 2001. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8 at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC), 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. Mrs. Brown always considered herself a "Modoc'er," says her husband Vernon. Lyda's grandfather by marriage was John Davis, a past Assessor of Modoc County. Her uncles Dan A. and John C. Davis and cousins Paul D. Davis, Richard M. Davis, and Dorothy C. Kelley preceded her in death. Mrs. Brown retired in 1981 from the William Feria Academics Plus School in the Cupertino School District, where she taught third grade at Feria for three years, a magnet school that stressed 'back to basics approach to education.' She spent 11 years at Panama School, involved from the beginning with the A+ program. Prior to this, she taught in two schools in the Arcade District of Sacramento County, Wyda Way and Dyer Kelly. She graduated with Honors from Sacramento State College in 1955, with a B.A. degree in Education and Music. She taught piano. For two years she attended the Sherwood Conservatory in Chicago, IL. She was born in Chicago and graduated from Roosevelt High School as its' Valedictorian in 1940. She received the outstanding student award from the American Legion while in the eighth grade at Von Struben School. For 38 years she was active in square dancing and at Rossmoor was a member of the Happy Squares until her health failed. She kept active as the secretary/treasurer of the Big Band of Rossmoor, and as a parish coordinator and collator for her church. She is survived by her husband Vernon Brown of 58 years, whose father William S. Billy Brown was a past assistant Supervisor of the Modoc National Forest. She is also survived by her daughter Karen Phillips of Walnut Creek; son Bill of Fall River Mills, Calif.; four grandsons and one granddaughter and cousins Lulu Grivel and Lola Dollarhide of Davis Creek and Michael Grivel, Alturas. Memorial gifts may be made to the Diablo Vista Retired Teachers' Association scholarship fund, (DVRTA), 4254 Heights Ave., Pittsburg, CA 94565. William Boyman (Photo not available) Former Cedarville and Alturas resident William E. Boyman died April 3, 2001 of cancer in Springfield, Ore. He was 74. Mr. Boyman was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars in Cedarville, Calif. and served as chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars for a couple of years. He moved from Los Angeles to Cedarville and then to Alturas, Calif. and Springfield, Ore., where he had lived since 1984. Boyman was a seaman first class during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 in San Pedro, Calif. He attended school in Los Angeles. He was the owner of Bill's Market across from Springfield High School from 1984 to 1990 when he retired. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading. He was born October 24, 1926 in Los Angeles to Otto and Lucretia Boyman. He married Melba Brown in Tijuana, Mexico on April 20, 1968. Survivors include his wife Mildred; three sons, Michael Boyman of Gold Run; Tony Mansfield of Antioch and Michael Mansfield of Weldon; a daughter Janet Terral of Springfield, Ore.; sister Elaine Pritchard of Dover, Ark. and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A daughter Patricia Boyman, died in 1978. No services will be held. Springfield Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Brent Taylor Former Cedarville resident, Brent A. Taylor, 29, died on April 6, 2001 in San Diego, Calif. from injuries sustained in a pedestrian-vehicle accident. At this time, no services are planned. Interment will be in the Cedarville Cemetery. Desert Rose Funeral Chapel of Lakeview, Ore. is in charge of arrangements. Brent was born in Arizona on April 14, 1971 and grew up in Cedarville. He was a 1989 graduate of Surprise Valley High School, Cedarville. He worked in the Surprise Valley Hospital for approximately two years, before enlisting in the Marine Corps for four years. After his service, he settled in San Diego where he worked as a restaurant cook. He was a very loving person with a big heart and enjoyed family activities and cooking. He is survived by his mother, Sera Rico Taylor of Cedarville; sister Christine Bailey of Cottonwood; brother Mel Taylor of Palo Alto and numerous cousins. Contributions in the memory of Brent may be made to the Surprise Valley Hospital, 417 Main St., Cedarville, CA 96104 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Veva Bonacina (Photo not available) Graveside services were held in Chico, Calif. on Saturday, March 24 for former Modoc County resident Veva Bernice Bonacina, 93, who passed away on March 21, 2001 of natural causes in a Chico hospital. Born Veva Watkins on May 26, 1907, in Modoc County to Charlie and Josephine Watkins of Davis Creek, Calif., Veva was reared in and spent much of her life in Modoc County. She graduated from "the Grammar School of South Davis Creek District" in 1920. When she was young, she worked with her father at the Davis Creek Store. She also was manager of the NCO building on Main Street for a time, and a charter ember of the local Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Auxiliary. She volunteered to teach arts and crafts at Alturas Elementary School. Before leaving Modoc County in 1971, she owned the two-story house which once sat near the corner of Fourth and Main and was later moved to 11th Street. During the service, she was remembered as a person who often made sacrifices to help others. "A mother to many, a friend to all," is how great-grandson Joseph Torsitano, described her. Although she was 57 when Joseph was born in Alturas, she raised him until he left home at 19. She often assisted members of the local Indian community. When friends and family found themselves between jobs or otherwise in tough circumstances, they were always welcomed by Veva and given a place to "get back on their feet." Veva was also remembered as a person who had a great will to live. Cancer surgery in 1979 was performed to enable her to live up to another five years. But, she held on much longer because she always said, "I want to see how it all ends." She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Noel Watkins, Sr. Survivors include a son, Burnell Shelton of New Jersey; a sister, Reva Gray of Chico; and two nephews, one grandchild, one great-grandchild and two great-great grandchildren. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.