Brad Fahlen

Mary Lee

Robert T. Shepherd

Louise Virginia Munz Simmons

Donald Gene Smedes

Robert C. Kennedy

Brad Fahlen

Brad Fahlen passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2011 while a resident at Country Villa Riverview Rehab. He was born Jan. 12, 1932 in Los Angeles, Calif. He has been a long-time resident of Susanville, moving here in September 1963 with his family.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 56 years. They have four children, Merea Jean Rippetoe (husband John), Carol Lynne Pettit (husband James), Linda Lou Christman (husband Jim), and son Roger Lee Fahlen (Patty). He has seven grandchildren, DeAnna Dennis, Phil Dennis, Jr., Danielle Laney, Jeremy Rippetoe, Johnna Rippetoe, Jennifer Kostick, Caitlin Christman and he has numerous nieces and nephews.

He attended Lassen Community College receiving an associate’s arts degree in 1966 with a certificate in gunsmithing. He attended extended day classes from California State University at Chico majoring in public administration. He held a Lifetime Teaching Credential in police science, teaching part-time criminal justice and corrections and pistol marksmanship at Lassen College for 28 years.

Brad was a patron member of the National Rifle Association; a life member of the California Rifle and Pistol association; a life member of the Nevada Rifle and Pistol Association; a life member of the Lassen College Gunsmith Guild; a life member of the American Defense Preparedness Association; a life member of the enlisted association NGUS; a member of the Westwood Rifle and Pistol Club; a charter member of the Sierra Sportsmen, serving as president in 2005; and a member of the American Legion Post #204.

Brad was Past Master of Lassen Lodge #149 F.M. and A.M.; Past High Priest Lassen Chapter #47 R.A.M.; Past Illustrious Master Sierra Nevada Council #44 Cryptic Masons; Past Commander Lassen Commandery #13 K.T. and a member of the Knights of York Cross of Honor.

Brad was employed as a police officer of the Susanville Police Department from 1964 to 1971 and a police sergeant 1971 to 1975. He worked for Napa Auto Parts in shipping and receiving and as an outside salesman from 1975 to 1990. He worked at Sierra Army Depot on security for two years before retiring. Prior to coming to Susanville he was a truck driver in Southern California from 1955 to 1963.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 15, 2011 at the Masonic Temple, 84 North Lassen St. in Susanville. There will be refreshments immediately following the service.

The family requests donations be made in Brad’s memory to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.

Mary Lee, 83, passed away at Country Villa Riverview nursing hospital on Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 2011, after a long illness.

Mary was born in Manitoba, Canada on Nov. 2, 1927. She was the oldest of five children of Cecil and Margaret Baker. Mary and her family relocated to North Dakota in 1939. When Mary was starting her senior year of high school, they again relocated but this time to Forest Lake, Minn.

Mary met her husband, Palmer Lee, while she was working at Wagner’s Hamburger Shop in Forest Lake. They were married in May of 1948. Mary and Palmer had three children, Cecelia Lee Lain and Kenneth Lee. In June 1959 another son was born stillborn.

In November 1959, Mary and Palmer and family moved to Santa Rosa, Calif. where Palmer’s parents lived. This is where they lived until 1988 when they relocated to Janesville to be closer to their daughter and her family. While living in Santa Rosa, Mary worked approximately 25 years in retail sales. She worked at W.T. Grant Department Store, Blue Chip Stamps and Lowman’s Baby News.

While living in Lassen County, Mary was very involved in the Methodist church and was an active member of Lassen Hospital Auxiliary. Mary also enjoyed going to her grandsons’ sports games, walking her dog, traveling, baking and playing Bunko with friends.

Mary is survived by her husband, Palmer Lee, of Susanville; daughter Cecelia Lain and husband John, of Janesville; son Kenneth Lee, of Bremerton, Wash. and his wife Candy; grandsons Richard and John Michael Lain, of Janesville; granddaughter Anne Lee, of Santa Rosa; step-grandsons Curt and Josh Brown, of Washington State; sister Rebecca Ann Peterson, of the Twin Cities area in Minnesota; and sister Dorothy Sawyer, of Crosby, Minn. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, some in California and many out of state.

A memorial service for Mary Lee will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011 at Eagle Lake Village, Susanville, Calif. The family would enjoy hearing of any special memories you have of her.

In Mary’s memory, the family requests that any donations be made in her name to the Susanville United Methodist Church or to Honey Lake Hospice in Susanville.

Robert T. Shepherd

1933-2011

Robert T. Shepherd, affectionately known as Shep, passed away in the caring hands of the Paradise Hospice House in Butte County, Calif. on Sept. 26, 2011.

Shep is survived and remembered by immediate family including Sandra Grace Shepherd, wife of 14 years; Robert C. and Sarah Shepherd, their two children Will, 11 and Grant, 9; Rebecca and Gene Terwilliger, their two children Joseph, 17 and Emily, 16; and John and Heide Shepherd, and their two daughters Hannah, 11 and Julia, 8. He is also survived by brother Francis, 95 and Ann Shepherd, of Slaterville, N.Y.; sister-in-law Carol, 93, of Millsboro, Del.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews, some of whom include Kevin Wilson, of Key Largo, Fla.,Barbara Button, of New Castle, Del., Karin Rohrer, of Nottingham, N.H. and Joanne Shepherd, of Atlantic City, N.J.

Born to John A. and Elizabeth Shepherd in Atlantic City, N.J. in 1933, Shep was the youngest of eight children including Francis, Gene, John, Howard, Jimmy, Marie and Betty. After growing up as an avid baseball player and fan in Margate, N.J., and graduating from Holy Spirit High School, he moved on to St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, and graduated with honors in 1955. He furthered his education at the University of North Dakota, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a masters degree in English.After brief teaching stints in Montana and Elk Grove, Calif., he began his most memorable teaching experience in Lassen County. After four years of teaching English at Lassen Union High School he moved over to the Lassen Community College District. During his 30-plus years, including many summers and holiday breaks; he educated, mentored and molded students from extremely diverse backgrounds. There was not a student in his life that he denied an opportunity to learn. Some of his teachings focused on lessons from textbooks and journals.Most of his teachings were the result of his focus on real world application.

Shep will be remembered for his willingness to engage everyone he encountered in intellectual conversation, whether it was leading his highly successful speech and debate teams to a national level of competition, developing athletic skills in youth, or enriching the lives of others in the local deli.While demonstrating his passion for shared governance he was always willing to fight the good fight.

After retiring as the president/superintendent of the Lassen Community College District, he spent the remainder of his life attending almost every event or competition that included any member of his family. He spent some time chasing the ponies, traveling from coast to coast, maintaining contact with his widespread family and as importantly, keeping mental tabs on the best eating establishments in North America!

A private Catholic graveside service was held on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 at the Diamond Crest Cemetery near Susanville, Calif. A public celebration of Shep’s life will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at the Monsignor Moran Hall in Susanville.

In lieu of flowers, and to further promote his legacy of providing opportunities for ongoing student learning, donations can be made to the Robert T. Shepherd Legacy Scholarship. Checks should be written to the Robert T. Shepherd Legacy Scholarship and mailed to: 195 Delaney Dr., Chico, CA 95928. The intent of the Legacy Scholarship is to support Lassen Community College graduates as they further their education.

View and send condolences online at nbcfh.com.

Louise Virginia Munz Simmons, Weezie, died peacefully on Sept. 23, 2011 in her niece’s residence in Susanville, Calif. She was 87 years young, and died as she lived — with grace, dignity and a heart full of love for others. She was a beloved sister, aunt and best friend and will be greatly missed.

At her request, no service will be held.

Louise was born in Lancaster, Calif. on Feb. 10, 1924. She graduated from Antelope Valley High in 1941 and then attended Pepperdine University and graduated with her teaching credentials in 1948. She taught in Okinawa and in Germany where she met her future husband, Joseph Franklin Simmons, and married him in Newhall, Calif. on Aug. 17, 1963.

Louise was an avid golfer, seamstress and adventuress, always coming up with new ways of having fun. She volunteered enthusiastically for Banner Lassen Hospital and Salvation Army. She was a favorite of all her nieces and nephews, encouraging, supportive and never judgmental. We will all miss her tremendously.

Louise is survived by her brother Carl Munz and his wife Barbara; sister Irene Blount and sister-in-law Reva Munz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph Simmons, brother Arnold Munz and parents Eric and Rose Munz.

Don Smedes, 83, of Susanville, Calif. passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 5, 2011, at Renown Medical Center in Reno. Don was born March 11, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Claude and Hattie Smedes. His brother, Ralph, of Des Moines, Iowa, preceded him in death. Don resided in Susanville since 1963.

Don grew up in Iowa where he was a star basketball player in high school and later in the Navy. He served in the Navy for two years at the end of World War II. He was stricken with polio in his early 20s, but against great odds overcame all of his disabilities and continued to have a great and prosperous life. Don was a pioneer in Susanville Little League and Babe Ruth where he both coached and served as an officer for 45 years; it was his greatest passion. He also coached and served on the board of the Lassen Youth Soccer Association.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gay; four sons, Ray (Jane) Smedes, of Carson City, Nev., Tom (Frances) Smedes, of Sparks, Nev., Steve (Jaime) Smedes, of Santa Rosa, Calif., Kevin (Traci) Smedes, of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter Judi (Brent) Bauer, of Susanville, Calif.; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at the Methodist Church in Susanville, Calif., beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 15, 2011. Following a graveside service, a reception will be held at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Don’s family cordially invites all of his friends to attend.

Robert C. Kennedy, 79, passed away at his home in Placerville, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. He was born Sept. 18, 1932 in St. Joseph, Mo.

Bob is survived by his sons Charles, and wife Valerie, of Sacramento; John and Lisa, of Janesville; brother William, and wife Helen Kennedy, of Texas; sisters Shirley and husband Bob Teschner, of Missouri; Sharon and Joe McNamara, of Arizona; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his son George.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 at Silveyville Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. Visitation will be held on the same day from 10 a.m. to noon at Reichert’s Funeral Home in Citrus Heights, Calif.