Modoc County Record - November 7, 2002 Paul Nielsen Paul Nielsen, 85, died of natural causes on October 29, 2002, at his home in Alturas, CA. Fr. Patrick Henry conducted a funeral service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alturas on Monday, November 4. Dr. Nielsen was born in Aarhus, Denmark on September 3, 1917, to Jens Frederik and Laura Kragh Nielsen. He came to the United States from Denmark as a young boy and graduated from Ann Arbor High School, Ann Arbor, Michigan. At the University of Michigan, he played football on the celebrated team which also included Tom Harmon. After graduating in 1940, he joined the Army. Pearl Harbor was attacked not long after he was discharged and he joined the Navy (1941-1945) immediately and served aboard the USS Guadalcanal among other ships, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. He married Mary Ellen Carney of Bath, Maine on June 27, 1946. The two were lovers of the west and the wild open spaces and settled in the Colorado Rockies, where Dr. Nielsen began his teaching career. Over the years he taught and coached in Colorado, Washington and Southern California. He obtained his doctorate in Education in 1956 at the University of Southern California, the first in his family to be awarded an advanced degree. He served as Principal at Calexico, and Kingsburg High Schools in California, and as Superintendent at Kingsburg High School, Scandinavian School District in Fresno, California, and South San Francisco Unified School District. He was also Vice President of Fresno City College. Dr. Nielsen had obtained his A.B. degree in political science, two masters degrees and his Doctorate in education. Later, he became a professor of education, teaching courses for the University of Southern California in Japan, South Korea, Germany and the Netherlands. In 1980, he served as Superintendent of Modoc Joint Unified School District, and on retirement became a correspondent for the Herald and News, Klamath Falls, OR. Dr. Nielsen was a dedicated Rotarian (joining in 1952), serving as president of several clubs and as District Governor of District 519 from 1988 to 1989. He was a member of Alturas Rotary Club. He was a devout golfer and a member of Arrowhead Golf Club, Alturas and was a former member of the California Golf Club in South San Francisco. A lifelong lover of travel, he visited every state in the USA as well as Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, the Far East, and South America and at age 80, traveled to India. Dr. Nielsen enjoyed living in Alturas, where he also had many friends. He is survived by his wife, Molly (Mary Ellen) Nielsen of Alturas; daughter, Sigrid Nielsen of Edinburgh, Scotland; son, Erik Nielsen of Menlo Park, CA, and grandson, Paul C. Nielsen of San Francisco, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Denmark, among others. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 1372 Longfellow Ave., Chico, Ca. 95926. Gella Ellanora Vick Gella Ellanora Vick, of Eagleville, CA, passed away October 28, 2002 at St. Mary's Hospital in Reno, NV. She was 84. Born Gella Jones on March 31, 1918 in Oklahoma, she married Haskell Vick in Fresno, CA on May 25, 1938. He preceded her in death in 1991. Mrs. Vick lived in Modoc County for 33 years. She was a homemaker and also enjoyed reading, crocheting and praying for people. She was affiliated with the All Nations Church in Cedarville. Mrs. Vick's family describe her as "a very spiritual woman we all enjoyed being around. She was truly a worshipper of God." She is survived by her son Donald Vick and daughter-in-law Marge Vick of Eagleville, CA.; granddaughters, Marjorie Ray of Loyalton, CA; Lori Laxague of Pleasanton, CA.; Amy Rouse and husband Bill of Pleasanton; great-grandchildren: Joe, Jolene, Jacqueline, Claire, Michael, Bethany, Cameron, Alexandria, Tyler, and Kyle. She is also survived by brothers and sisters: Buddie Petrey, Taft, CA; Kenneth Petrey, Redding; Arthur Petrey of Ventura; Vernon Petry, Redding; Clara Gee of Sparks, NV, and Vernie Rylie of Galt. She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Pastors Chrissy and Greg Bicondoa of All Nations Fellowship conducted services at the Eagleville Community Church on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. Burial followed at Eagleville Cemetery. November 14, 2002 Wayne Marshall Mason Wayne Marshall Mason, 85, formerly of California Pines, died of natural causes November 1, 2002 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Services were conducted at Kerr Mortuary in Alturas, CA, on November 5, 2002, by Pastor Dave Nolte of Shasta Way Christian Church in Klamath Falls. Burial services were conducted by combined Veterans organization of Alturas, at the Alturas Cemetery. Wayne Marshall Mason was born March 20, 1917 to Claude Arthur and Estella (Scott) Mason. He lived in Minnesota until moving to Southern California in 1937. He served with the U.S. Army in the Combat Engineers from 1941 to 1943 and honorably discharged. He then worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator for the City of Los Angeles for the next 30 years, retiring in 1973. He married the former Florence Hunt on December 5, 1941 in Los Angeles and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage before her death in 1994. Mr. Mason was a life member of the Sunnyside Lodge 577 Free and Accepted Masons of Torrance, California. For 12 years he was Associate Guardian of Bethels 30 and 245 in Los Angeles. Following his retirement from the City, he and Florence moved to Cal Pines near Alturas. There they were active in the American Legion, Clifford Harter Post 163 and the Disabled American Veterans. Mr. Mason was a life-time member of the Christian Church and was a member of the Shasta Way Christian Church in Klamath Falls at the time of his death. He was a mechanic, carpenter and builder by trade and enjoyed model railroads and collecting tools of various types. He enjoyed family gatherings and getting together with friends. He is survived by his daughters, Sharon Wieser, Klamath Falls, OR, and Kathleen Mason, Redding, CA. Four grandchildren, Larry Floyd, Wendy DiSario, both of Alturas, Erik Wieser, Klamath Falls, and Samantha Bagula of Redding; Four great-granddaughters, Kristina, Jordan, and Tiela of Alturas and Jennifer of Redding. One aunt, Lula Knowles of Missouri and various cousins also survive. The family requests donations to the charity of the donor's choice. Melvin D. Myers Melvin Dunbar Myers was born in Fall River Mills on July 23, 1915, second of the six children born to James R. and Edith (Dunbar) Myers, both members of pioneering California families. About 1917 James and Edith moved their family to Rush Creek, north of Adin, where James operated a sawmill. Later they lived in Janesville and Susanville before returning to Big Valley. In 1929 James Myers leased a ranch from Frank Studley, partly so that Melvin and his older brother Norris could expend some of their youthful energies taking care of a cow and doing other chores. James died in 1932 and after graduating from the Adin High School the following year Melvin, with the help of Frank Studley, who helped him with his first cow herd, his great-uncle Ben Waite, and his uncle Ernest Dunbar, became a rancher. In later years he told family members that the farming methods he learned from his Uncle Ernest were old fashioned, and as he matured Melvin devoted much energy to learning the more modern scientific techniques. He was so successful that on at least one occasion his methods of cattle raising were written up for publication in the California Farmer magazine. On December 30, 1946 Melvin married Nettie Lovine Maben, in Willows, CA and to their union were born two children, Lura and Darrel. Melvin and Lovine raised their family in an atmosphere of love and hard work, teaching them to value their extended family and to enjoy simple pleasures. Melvin enjoyed hunting, fishing and all kinds of family outings from picnics in the summer to holiday gatherings in the winter to simply sitting out on the lawn with his wife and children on a summer evening to enjoy a dish of ice cream or slice of melon. He was deeply interested in the history and wildlife of Big Valley and the surrounding areas. He loved children and was blessed with an ability, unusual for an adult, to see things from their perspective. He loved animals, and always had at least one dog running at his heels or riding in the pickup with him, and he dearly loved to hear and to share a unique or funny story. One example of his interest in his community was his donation of the land on which Adin sewer plant was built. Mr. Myers was a man of character, courage and great conviction; a hard worker who enjoyed life and loved his family deeply. With his death on November 7, 2002 at Mayers Memorial Hospital in Fall River Mills, he leaves a void in the heart of lives of his wife Lovine, his children Lura Yowell and Darrel Myers, all of the family ranch south of Adin; his granddaughter Brenda Rodriguez, her husband Rick; and two great-grandchildren, Easton and Elleshya Rodriguez, all of San Jose; his brothers, Delbert Myers of Adin and Ben Myers of Pensacola, Florida; and a host of nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Norris, and his sisters Delores Myers and Evelyn Coppedge. Services were held on November 9 at Big Valley Missionary Baptist Church, with burial at the Adin cemetery. The family asks that any memorials be sent to a charity of their choice. November 27, 2002 Marilyn Ruth Rhodes Alturas resident Marilyn Ruth Rhodes, 77, died November 15, 2002, of natural causes in Alturas, CA. There will be a fellowship gathering Saturday, November 23, 2002 at the Alturas Elks Lodge at 2:00 p.m. Marilyn was born July 16, 1925, in Boyle Heights, California to Thomas Milton and Cecile Marie (Baker) Bergo. She was reared in Los Angeles, CA and attended Fremont High School. On July 17, 1941 she married Russell K. Brooks and they had two children, Judy Lee and Russell William Brooks. They later divorced. In 1955, she met Donald Lee Rhodes and they were married on December 17, 1955 at Las Vegas, Nev. They made their home in South Gate, CA. In 1958, they had a daughter, Sharilyn Marie. In November of 1973, the family moved to Alturas, CA. where they made their home at California Pines. They operated the Auction Yard Cafe for several years, until retiring. Mrs. Rhodes' love was being with her grandchildren. She also loved to camp, fish and spend time at Blue Lake. She had been a member of the Gardena Emblem club and enjoyed golfing and spending time with friends. She is survived by her husband Donald Rhodes of Alturas; her father Thomas Bergo of Grover Beach, CA; daughter Judy Keeler of Grove Beach, CA; daughter and son-in-law Sharilyn and Terry McLain of Lakeview, OR; brother and sister-in-law Ed and Mary Bergo of Arroyo Grande, CA and their children Ed, Diane and Richard; grandchildren Tammie, Gina, Michael, Patrick, Christopher, Doug, Billy, Zack, Canbria and Travis; and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Cecile Marie Bergo and her son Russell Williams Brooks. Memorial donations may be made to the: Hugh Currin House, Urhmann Ave., Klamath Falls, OR 97601 or to any charity of the donor's choice. Kate Lawrence Rice Former long-time Alturas resident and rancher Kate Lawrence Rice, 84, year passed away at Mercy Care Center in Mt. Shasta, CA on November 16, 2002. Kate was born on January 15, 1918 in Manilla, Philippine Islands to William and Frances Lawrence. She was raised in San Francisco after her father returned from the Philippines. Kate attended Katherine Burke School and Stanford University. She married Jack Rice in San Francisco in 1940. Kate lived in Scotia for four years, Alturas for 32 years, and Ferndale for 10 years. She then moved to Redding, where she lived until she became ill and moved to Weed, Siskiyou County in 1998 to be with family. Mrs. Rice, a Modoc rancher, raised purebred Suffolk sheep in Alturas and won numerous awards for them and their wool. She was a member of the California Woolgrowers Assoc. and the California Cattlemen's Assoc. Until advanced age, she studied wild flowers and sea life. She was a lifelong student of nature, taking classes and visiting sea shores of the Pacific Ocean. Survivors include two sons, Michael Rice of Weed, Tom Rice of Sparks, Nev., and a daughter, Sally Rice of Chester; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. No services are planned. Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka, is in charge of arrangements. Dorothy May Lancaster Dorothy May Lancaster, 56, of Alturas passed away on November 19, 2002 at Modoc Medical Center, Alturas, CA. She had undergone four-way by pass surgery and never recovered. Services will be held at the Full Gospel Church, Henderson Street, Alturas on Saturday, Nov. 23. She was born in Marshall, Arkansas, on May 10, 1946. In May of 1967, she met Mervin Lancaster in Santa Rosa, CA. The two have been together for 35 wonderful years and had two children. She is survived by her husband Mervin Lancaster of Alturas; son Ralph Lancaster of Alturas; daughter Shelia Lancaster of Alturas; son Steve Lancaster of Ukiah, CA and daughter Lisa Lancaster of McKinleyville, CA. Mrs. Lancaster has 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She will always be loved and missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her mother Ethel Crawford, brother Billy Scott and son Keith Jones. Kerr Mortuary of Alturas is in charge of arrangements. Service time was pending at press time. November 27, 2002 Georgia Genevieve Stanley Cedarville resident Georgia Genevieve Stanley, 94, passed away at her home on November 23, 2002. Services were held Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at the Cedarville Cemetery. Dr. Ben Zandstra officiated. Mrs. Stanley was born in New Pine Creek, OR on September 27, 1908. She retired as a mail clerk with the U.S. Postal Service after 32 years. Kerr Mortuary of Alturas was in charge of arrangements. Richard Eugene Smith Alturas resident Richard Eugene Smith, 89, passed away in Alturas on November 24, 2002. A memorial service will be held at the Alturas Elks Lodge 1756 on Friday, Nov. 29 at 11:00 a.m. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.