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DANNA JO LYTJEN
Danna Jo Lytjen, age 58, died on Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, in her home in Eugene, Ore., after a year-long battle with cancer.
Danna followed her dream to become a botanist with a bachelor of arts and masters degrees from Oregon State University.
Danna is survived by her father, Jim Lytjen, her mother, Reba Siragusa and her husband Nick Otting, sisters Janice and Jean, her children, Seth and Jessica, and three grandchildren.
Remembrances can be sent to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 No. Fairfax Dr. suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203-9867.
Laurence Oliver Vetter
Laurence Oliver Vetter passed peacefully on Aug. 18, 2007. Born on Sept. 2, 1929 in Susanville, Calif. to Joseph and Eola Vetter.
He served in U.S. Army and was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. He had a varied career ranging from Department of Highway Engineer to county manager of Ticor Title, where he was inducted into the president's club.
In the early 80s, he retired from the title business and went on to his dream job of harbor master of Tiki Lagun on the Delta. Ten years later he and wife moved to Magalia.
In his early years he was an avide Micro Midget Racer and softball pitcher. He enjoyed RV traveling, boating and water skiing his entire life. He gave selflessly of his time, he taught many people the pleasure of skiing and boating, coached Little League for many years and repaired nearly anything his friends needed help with.
He was preceded in death by his father, mother, son Rodney and daughter Toni.
He is survived by his wife Betty; sons, Larry, Rick and Carl; daughter Brenda; sisters Myra and Gloria; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Larry will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Donations may be made in his name to Paradise Hospice.
Services will be Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Calvary Chapel of Paradise located at upper Dogtown Road and Skyway in Magalia.
Brusie Funeral Home in Chico, Calif. is in charge of arrangements.
JOSEPH JOHN RICKEL
Longtime Chester resident Joseph "John" Rickel, age 93, tragically passed from this life during the recent snowstorm while caring for his residence in Chester on Jan. 11, 2005.
John was born on Sept. 22, 1911, in Weimer Township, N.D. to Kilian and Pearl Rickel. Family strife required him to leave school early and go to work on the farm, which eventually led him to Woodland.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army in June of 1944 where he served as a tank crewman in Central Europe. John was honorably discharged from the military in May of 1946 and remained in Europe to help with the reconstruction of Germany. Here he met the love of his life, Maria, whom he wed on July 31, 1948 in Bavaria. The family relocated to Chester in 1948 where John went to work for the Collins family, retiring as their foreman of shipping after 25 years of loyal and dedicated service to the company.
John was a self-taught stock market investor who did quite well working the market. In his early years he found pleasure in both hunting and fishing. He enjoyed traveling with his late wife, and both looked forward to spending their winters in Southern Nevada.
John was an accomplished carpenter and the home he built from the foundation up will testify to this. He was a longtime member of the Chester American Legion Post No. 664.
John is survived by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Sieglinde Rickel Wyles and Jim Wyles of Clayton; grandchildren, James R. Wyles of Roseville and Eric J. Wyles of Rio Vista; along with great-grandson, Maxwell J. Wyles of Roseville.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years Maria, in 2003.
A Catholic blessing service along with military honors will take place at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Fehrman Mortuary Chapel in Chester. A reception will follow at the Chester Elks Lodge. Interment will take place with his late wife in the Chester District Cemetery.
An opportunity to express your condolences along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at fehrmanmortuary.com.
The family suggests any remembrances in John's memory be made to Seneca Healthcare District, c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory, P.O. Box 803, Greenville, CA 95947.
MARIA STOKES
Maria Stokes passed away on Jan. 22, 2005, in Banner-Lassen Hospital at Susanville, Calif., at the age of 85.
She was born to John and Melania Totten in Afton, Okla. On April 13, 1919. Maria worked for the U.S. Government at Camp Crowder, Missouri Assembling airplanes. Later she moved to Kansas to work in an ammunition plant assembling bombs during WWII.
Maria and her three children, Dee, Donna, and Joyce moved to Susanville in 1947; she was to work at the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong. Soon after arriving in Lassen County the war ended and she started her long career in the food service business.
She had been a very active member of the local Ladies Auxiliary to the V.F.W. Post 2381 for over 30 years, and the last eight years had been the Auxiliary President until the time of her death. She was fondly referred to as the real life “Rosie the Riveter” by her fellow V.F.W. members. Her belief has always been that “We Americans pay a high price for freedom, and in serving and honoring our veterans we support out nation.” Maria was the most patriotic person that one would ever meet. She was also a member of the honey Lake Valley Grange #0825. Maria loved life. She loved to fish, camp, go to rodeos, and loved the great outdoors. Baseball was her passion. During the World Series you would find her glued to the T.B.; she knew every player’s name, where they came from, and how much they earned per year.
Her children and grandchildren were the “light of her life.” Maria is survived by two daughters, Dee Beckett and husband Neal of Orland, Calif., and Joyce Ewing and husband Dallas of Janesville, Calif. She has six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Donna Chappell in 1954; by her first husband and father of their daughters, Eldon Stotts; and her late husband George Stokes.
Memorial services were held on Saturday, Jan. 2 at Walton’s Colonial Mortuary Chapel in Susanville. A celebration of her life followed immediately after at the V.F.W. Hall.
The family requests that any remembrances be made in Maria’s name to the Susanville V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary.
A private burial will be held at a later date.
JAMES CURTIS ALWAY
May 3, 1916 – January 16, 2005
James Curtis Alway, age 88, was born May 3, 1916, to Gordon and Josephine Away in Burney, Calif. He was a life-long resident of California, residing in Susanville until October of 2004, when he moved to Stockton, Calif., to be closer to his daughters.
As a young man, he attended Susanville grade schools, Lassen High School, and Lassen Junior College. In 1941, he entered into World War II where he served four years in the South Pacific as an Aerial Photographer.
Jim worked for the Fruit Growers Supply Company, Tidewater Oil Company, Burr Automotive, and owned his own business, Alway’s Flying A, which later became Alway’s Phillips 66.
Jim is survived by his brother, Fred Alway, of Susanville; his wife of 60 years, Bea Alway, formerly of Susanville; and their three children — Rita Peralta of Stockton, Janet Peralta of Stockton, and Jud Alway of Van Nuys. There are two grandchildren, Meagan DeBerg of Kamiah, Idaho, and Robby Peralta of Stockton; plus two great grand children, Jessica and Bret DeBerg of Idaho.
A “Celebration of Life” service will be held later in the spring of 2005 in Susanville.
