Modoc County Record - April 1, 2004 Mary P. Young Mary P. Young passed away March 24, 2004, in Alturas, Calif., at the age of 100 years. Born January 5, 1904, in Green County, Wisconsin, Mary's parents were Martin Cook and Margaret Dunphy Croak. Mary grew up on the family farm with three brothers and five sisters. Her education began in the local county school, and after high school she attended the Lyceum Arts Academy in Chicago, where she studied acting. After graduation she joined the Ellison-White Company of the Chautauqua play circuits. There she met G. Guy Young, a company director on the seven-day circuit. In 1928 the two married in San Jose, CA. Live theatre was no longer thriving after the advent of the "talkies," so Mr. Young went into the insurance business and came to Alturas in 1930 as an agent. Originally planning to stay for just one year, they remained 74 years. G. Guy and Mary worked together in the insurance business until his death in 1965. Mary was the last surviving charter member of the Alturas Garden Club, of which she was also a past president. She was deeply involved in the negotiations with the Southern Pacific for the purchase of the Whistle Stop station as a meeting place, as well as the land for the Alturas Garden Club, whose meetings continue there to this day. The Alturas Cemetery District was another focus of Mrs. Young's energies from 1950 to 2001. Much of the current landscaping configuration of the cemetery is a result of her input. Mary is survived by her son, Superior Court Judge Guy Martin Young and wife Gloria, of Alturas, CA.; daughter, Mary Colleen Lowe and husband Maurice of Taos, New Mexico; five grandchildren: Margaret and Michael Goben, of Sparks, NV.; Marilyn and Robert Baker, of Janesville, CA.; Janet and Michael Server, of Alturas, CA.; Lisa and Dennis Reed Jr., of Alturas, CA.; and Nathaniel and Denise Lowe, of New York, N.Y. There are nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter and an infant great-granddaughter. Mary had always cared deeply for the people and the history of Modoc County and felt herself blessed to have lived here. Services were conducted by the Rev. Patrick Henry at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alturas on Wednesday, March 31 at 10 a.m. Interment followed at the Alturas Cemetery. Remembrances may be directed to the Alturas Garden Club, Alturas, CA 96101. Ila Morine Wistos Ila Morine Wistos, a long-time supportive community volunteer and Modoc resident, passed away March 29, 2004, in Redding, Calif. at the age of 84. Born Ila M. Colton on September 18, 1919 in Kimball, Nebraska, she had three sisters and one brother. Ila moved to New Pine Creek in 1928 and had been a Modoc County resident since 1933. She graduated from elementary school in Alturas and Modoc Union High School During World War II, she worked in Washington for Boeing Aircraft as a riveter. She returned to Modoc and spent many years as a steam presser for Clint Old's Dry Cleaning. She and Stephen Wistos were married in Reno, Nevada on November 11, 1950, and during their 50 years together, Ila enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and hunting (mostly arrowheads) with him and the family. Their extensive arrowhead collection is displayed at the Modoc County Museum. Ila was a supportive and active B.P.O.E. Elk's wife and assisted with Elks Lodge functions. She volunteered to work for many years at the Irwin Memorial Blood Drives in Alturas, when the Alturas Elks Lodge 1756 sponsored the community blood drives. An excellent cook, immaculate housekeeper, and seamstress, she was also a long-time member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Alturas. She is survived by her son John Wistos and daughter-in-law Louisa of Alturas, CA.; her daughter Gee-Gee Taylor of Redding; brother Eugene Colton and sister-in-law Maryann of Condon, OR.; sister Letha Morley, Alturas, CA.; granddaughters Brenda Anderson, Sandy, OR., Tammy Strickland, Severn, MD, ReneŽ Clark, The Woodlands, Texas; great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Ila's husband preceded her in death on April 10, 2000. At Ila's request, there will be no services. The family requests any donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice. Interment was at Alturas Cemetery. Sera Rico Taylor Sera Rico Taylor, 83, a long time resident of Modoc County, who lived over 40 years on her ranch south of Cedarville in Surprise Valley, passed away of natural causes on March 20, 2004. A memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Charles May on Saturday, April 3, 2004 at 3 p.m. at Living Water Fellowship Church, 481 Main Street, in Cedarville. A fellowship gathering and dessert will follow at the church after the graveside burial in Cedarville. Sera was born on February 15, 1921, in San Jose, CA. to Guadalupe and Isabel Rico. During World War II, she drove a bus to and from Treasure Island in San Francisco. Later, after buying the ranch and moving to Surprise Valley, Sera and her husband, Bill Taylor, adopted three children, Melvin, Sandy and Terry. Much later, Sera raised two of her grandchildren, bringing to her ranch: Christy, age 2 from a foster home in North Carolina, and Brent from Arizona. Sera enjoyed sheep, rabbits, chickens, and peacocks, and sold eggs, lambs, and rabbits locally. Sera was also an earnest gardener. During one of her last times to enter produce in the "Modoc Last Frontier Fair," the Modoc Record published a feature article about her because she had over 400 entries that year. Sera enjoyed fishing and had a sign under her homemade mail box, selling worms. When the Cedarville Farmers' Market began, her home-made enchiladas and ice cream cones were popular favorites among customers. In 1974, Sera traveled with friends, Elaine and Shirley Lee, to attend a Basic Youth Conflicts Seminar in Portland, OR. and the World's Fair in Spokane, WA. At age 60 she went on an eight-day "Survival Backpack For Women Who Feel Over 30" out of Christian Encounter Ministries Ranch, belaying and rappelling on a major cliff successfully. Another memorable trip for her was a flight with Christy to San Diego for Brent's graduation from the Marine Corps Boot Camp. Later she traveled with friend Jeanne Emerson to Jeanne's family reunion in Sequim Bay State Park, WA. She thoroughly enjoyed weekly visiting, witnessing and praying with residents in long-term care in Alturas and Cedarville, and took great joy in telling them about Jesus. She especially loved her church--Living Water Fellowship and all her church family. Sera is survived by her son Melvin Taylor of Palo Alto; granddaughter Chris (Christy) Bailey and Christy's husband Stuart of Quincy, CA.; great grandchildren, Timothy, 11 years, Jonathon, 10 years, Elizabeth, seven years; her daughter Sandy in New Mexico with three grandchildren; and her son Terry Taylor, whose whereabouts are unknown. She is also survived by her younger sister, Agnes Boulade of Alturas, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an older sister and brother, and by her grandson Brent. Memorial donations may be made to Living Water Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 447, Cedarville, CA. 96104, or to Christian Encounter Ministries, P.O. Box 1022, Grass Valley, CA. 95945. Benjamin Calvin Casad Benjamin C. Casad, 80, died at his residence in Tulelake, CA. on Friday, March 26, 2004, after a long battle with cancer. He is at peace and pain free with his Lord. Memorial services were held at the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds Home Economics Building, in Tulelake, CA. on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Gary Jones officiating. Davenport's Funeral Home of Klamath Falls was in charge of arrangements. There will be no graveside services. Mr. Casad was born March 22, 1924, in Yakima, Washington to Benjamin Cecil and Dora Leona (Hileman) Casad. He was a 1942 graduate of Bremerton High School. He joined the Army in 1943 and served his country in WWII as radio operator and rifle sharpshooter as Staff Sergeant of the Army's 3187th Signal Service Battalion. He was decorated with the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and European African Middle Eastern Service Medal upon his honorable discharge in 1946. He attended Olympic Jr. College in Bremerton for two years, 1946 and 1947. On September 13, 1947, Mr. Casad became the husband of Roberta McCoard. He continued with his education at the University of Washington, Seattle, 1947-1950, while the couple began their family. Benjamin, Jr. was born in 1948, Robert in 1951, and Steven in 1955. Ben's career in forestry began in 1950, taking the family to various towns in Northern California. In 1970, Tulelake, CA. became the family's home as Ben was stationed there. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 29 years as a ranger and an instructor. He retired as District Ranger in 1979. Ben Casad was active in many organizations and societies throughout the years. He became active as a square dance caller beginning in 1973, calling for Scott Valley, Fall River, and Alturas clubs. Ben and Roberta are best known through the Tule Twirlers Square Dance Club where they were a driving force behind the organization and performed at many regional events. After his retirement, Ben worked as a station attendant at Dave's Chevron in Tulelake from 1979-1983, and drove the van for the Tulelake Senior Citizen's Nutrition Site from 1984-1986. He was a member of the Lone Pine Lions Club (serving a year as zone chairman), Tulelake Rotary Club, Tulelake Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Service, First Aid Instructor, Organization of Professional Employees Department of Agriculture, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, International Association of Square Dance Callers, and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as director of the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair Board from 1988-1993, helping especially with the parade, museum and entertainment. In 1994 he was honored with the fair's highest "WFA Blue Ribbon" achievement award. Survivors include his wife, Roberta; son, Benjamin C. Casad, Jr., of Fallon, NV.; son and daughter-in-law, Steven R. and Molly, of Bend, OR.; son, Robert, of Red Bluff, CA.; granddaughter, Emily and her husband Thomas Sims, of League, TX.; grandson, Timothy Casad, of Salem, OR.; granddaughters Maggie and Allison Casad, of Bend, OR.; brother and sister-in-law Frank and Peggy Casad, of Sequim, WA. Memorial donations may be made to Klamath Hospice, the American Cancer Society, and Saddle Mountain Christian Camps, c/o Basin Bible Church, 500 Glendale Street, Tulelake, CA. 96134. April 8, 2004 Francis Adrian Roberts, Sr. Services for respected, long-time Alturas businessman Francis Adrian Roberts, Sr. will be held Friday, April 9, at 12 noon at the Cedarville Cemetery. The Rev. Patrick Henry will conduct the graveside service. Mr. Roberts passed away Saturday, April 3, 2004, in Chico, Calif. He was 86. Born March 22, 1918, in Lakeview, OR., he was the first child of Ollie Verl Thruston Roberts and William Harold Roberts of Cedarville, CA. His grandparents, Frank Lora Roberts and Bertha Woods Roberts, were early settlers in Cedarville where they owned a small farm, south of town. Adrian spent much of his teen years helping on the farm and attending Surprise Valley High School, from which he graduated in 1937. He then worked on different ranches, for the Flournoys in Likely, and Jess Stiner in Cedarville. It was there that he met his wife, Marie Dalla Lasta of Dunsmuir, who was teaching at the high school. Adrian worked for Mack Word, hauling freight from Ft. Bidwell to Alturas and back. For a few years he lived in Ft. Bidwell before moving to Alturas, where he worked for Farmers Exchange repairing and delivering machinery. He worked for the City of Alturas Water Department and Fields Plumbing, before opening his own business in 1957. He operated his business from his house until he purchased the Bowman building on Main Street in 1967. Mr. Roberts was knowledgeable about plumbing and pumps, and often worked long hours to help people with their water problems. He retired after 40 years as owner/operator of A&M Pump and Plumbing in Alturas, and sold the business to his son, Bill Roberts, who worked for his father, helping solve the many problems concerning water and drainage. He leaves his wife Marie, to whom he was married for 58 years; son Adrian, Jr., his wife Alice, and their daughter Amelia of Chico, CA.; daughter Mary Jeffers, her husband David of Dallas, TX and their son Jim of Norman, OK.; son Bill, his wife Marlene, and their son Brandon and daughter Charlene of Alturas and Chico, CA.; daughter Kathleen Gentry, her husband Dan, and their daughter Andrea of Chico, CA.; brother Arlen and his wife Betty, of Magalia, CA.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Harold, who died at age 40, his mother Ollie and his sister, Kathleen Roberts Ritchey. Meera Myrl Pratt Meera Myrl Pratt, age 84, of Roseburg, OR. passed away February 16, 2004 in Roseburg, Oregon. She was born on July 13, 1919, in Quincy, CA. to Augustus Milton and Mary Myrl (Hunt) Elam with birth weight being 2-1/2 pounds. Her mother died several days after giving birth, at the age of 23. Meera was adopted and raised by her father's sister and her husband, Gertrude Augustine (Elam) and Leonard C. Remick. Her brother, Edward Milton Elam remained with "Papa Gus" in Eureka, CA. Meera was born and grew up living at the Plumas County Hospital where her father was manager and her mother was a nurse. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Quincy. Her great-grandfather, Dr. Willard Pratt, founded Prattville, CA., located on the west side of Lake Almanor. She had many adventures with cats, dogs, chickens, riding cows, donkeys, and horses, tap dancing and playing with many children in the water fountain located in front of the hospital. She hiked to the top of Mt. Lassen three different times, the third time being in 1976. She graduated from Western School of Business in Sacramento. On October 12, 1946, Meera married honorably-discharged WWII Veteran Virgil Pratt of Alturas, CA. He had just graduated from Strutz School of Watch Making in Sacramento, including jewelry design and repair, and later from the Gemological Institute of America, Los Angeles. Virgil and Meera moved to Redding, CA. and soon to Weaverville, CA. and opened the first of their four stores, Pratt Jewelers. They owned and operated their Alturas store for 14 years. Their largest store was in downtown Nampa, ID, which they operated for five years. Burney, CA. would be the home of their fourth store in 1968, which they sold for retirement in 1977. Next stop for hunting and fishing was Hamilton, MT., back to California, where they settled in Anderson, and moved to Roseburg, OR. in 1999. Upon Virgil's retirement, Meera worked for J.C. Penny and retired from Target in Redding in 1999. Meera was a member of Order of Eastern Star and VFW Auxiliary, serving as District President. She enjoyed hunting purple bottles and arrowheads, antique shopping, crocheting, family barbecues, ocean and creek fishing, and being the official camp cook on hunting trips. She was full of fun and adventure, always ready to travel, and loved to laugh. The Pratts donated framed pictures of Captain Jack and tribe with arrowhead designs to the Modoc County Museum. Meera is survived by her devoted husband of over 57 years, Virgil Pratt; daughter Suzanne Myrl Dean who was born in Modoc, grandsons, Ryan and Nathan, granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Sherah (Dean) and Carlos Gonzalez, all of Roseburg, Oregon; daughter and son-in-law Deanne and Michael Regan, granddaughter and great-grandson, Lynne and Sean Carrera, six step- grandchildren with families, all of the Sacramento area; brother and sister-in-law Edward and Maria Elam of Morris Plains, New Jersey; nephews, Robert and Thomas Elam, niece, Suzanne (Elam) Riggio and families; cousins, Elsa (Remick) Odermott of Hamilton, MT.; Jean Keeny and her husband, Albert of Grass Valley, CA.; Jere Hunt and sister, Sidra (Hunt) Pauly of Redding, CA. and families. Other loved ones are Mildred (Pratt) Jones of Cedarville, CA. Felix F. Styler of Salem, OR. John Fisher of Klamath Falls, OR. Edward Dean of Grants Pass, OR. Michael Gilbert of Anderson, CA. Karen Schmidt and Scott Fulton, both of Roseburg, and families. Preceding her are her parents and niece, Lisa Anne Carrera.. A private gathering celebrating her life was held at their home in Wilbur, OR. on February 21, 2004. Memorial contributions may be directed the American Diabetes Association or the Alturas VFW. Condolences may be sent to Meera's husband, Virgil Pratt at 1100 Oak Hill Road, Roseburg, OR 97470, (541) 464-0478. A Pratt Reunion is scheduled for Memorial weekend in Cedarville. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.