Jack H. Buescher

Jolene C, Benfield

Evan Edward Chappuis

Henriette “Hank” Hardy

Elva May Donaldson Long

Eileen C. Mattern

Rosemary Ann (Harris) Totten

Jennifer Rose Boatright

Jack H. Buescher

Jack Harry Buescher was born Dec. 9, 1927 in Yakima, Wash. to Leo and Myrtle Buescher. He graduated from Stadium High School and the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., where he played on the basketball and tennis teams. His love of sports (particularly tennis and basketball) continued throughout his lifetime.

Jack served in the U.S. Army, counter intelligence corps, overseas in post-war Germany from 1951 to 1953, when he was discharged. After his service to the country, he moved to California for a teaching position in Bakersfield, where he met his wife, Eunice, also a teacher. They moved to Susanville in 1956 where he taught history and English at Lassen Union High School. Jack also taught driver’s education and coached basketball at Lassen High. He then began teaching at the newly opened California Conservation Center in 1963, and retired from the Center in 1984. He continued to substitute teach for a few years after his retirement. Jack also served on the Lassen Union High School Board of Trustees and the Lassen County Board of Education from the late 1960s until the 1990s.

Jack and his wife, Eunice, enjoyed many trips together during retirement and enjoyed living their golden years in Susanville with their many long-time friends. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on Aug. 27, 2005, in San Francisco.

Jack was an avid reader of many newspapers, books, and magazines and was an experienced bridge player. He was a life-long student of history. Most recently, he was an active member of the Susanville Senior Center where he looked forward to lunch each day. He was a huge fan and supporter of the Susanville Symphony. He was a member of the Susanville United Methodist Church for more than 50 years; and a member of the Lassen Human Society, Lassen Historical Society, California Retired Teachers Association, and the University of Puget Sound Alumni Association.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice, of 51 years. He is survived by daughters Brenda, of San Jose, Barbara, of Granite Bay and Kathleen, of Folsom; son-in-law William Leveille, of Folsom; his grandchildren Justine Leveille, of Santa Rosa and Andrew Leveille, of Rocklin; and his sister Carol Hungerford, of Tucson, Ariz.

Graveside services will be held at Diamond Crest Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. A reception to remember Jack will follow at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on the corner of Cottage and South Lassen.

Jolene C, Benfield, of Sacramento, Calif. andLassen High School Graduate '55lost her battle with cancer Monday Oct. 17, 2011 at the age of 74, in Carmichael, Calif.

Jolene was born April 24, 1937 in Klamath Falls, Ore. to Carroll B.and Josie M.Nixon.

Jolene was a mother, grandmother, retired business owner andavid wildlife rehabilitationist of mammals and birds for more than 25 years. At one time she was referred to as the “squirrel lady” in the newspaper,due to all the squirrels sherehabilitated over the years.

Jolene is survived by her sons, Kevin D. Benfieldandhis wife Maxine Benfield, of Sacramento and Kurt Benfield, of Roseville, Calif.;grandchildren, Heather Benfield, of Austin, Texas, Krystin Benfield, of New Braunfels, Texas, Eli Benfield, of Roseville and Hope Benfield, of Roseville, all of whom loved her very much.

Jolene was preceded in death by her husband Eli David Benfield (Bill), a graduate of Lassen High;and her parents Josie M.and Carroll B.Nixon, the former Mayor of Susanville. Jolene was very active throughout her time in Susanville participating in sports, cheerleading, Job's Daughters, Campfire Girls and Eastern Star.

The family had a celebration of Jolene’s life, held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the North Sacramento Funeral Home, 725 El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95815.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to theSacramento SPCAin Jolene’s name.

If you wish to contact the family please call Kurt Benfield at (916) 212-5730.

7/3/1910-11/6/2011

Evan Edward Chappuis was born to Edward David Chappuis and Nancy Cetera Chappuis July 3, 1910. Evan and his two sisters June and Fern and his two brothers Ray and Leo were raised on the family ranch near Standish, Calif.

Evan attended the Bridgeport school at the age of 6 and graduated from Lassen Union High School in 1927. He attended Lassen Junior College and Armstrong Business College in Alameda, Calif.

Evan married his high school sweetheart, Juen Louise Bangham on June 19, 1932. He and his wife established an accounting business in Susanville where they lived, with their three daughters.

One of Evan’s passions was aviation. In 1946 he received his private pilot’s license and incorporated the use of his airplane into his business.

Evan was a member of the Susanville chapter of the (EAA) Experimental Aircraft Association, and participated for many years in the Young Eagles Program. He belonged to the (UFO) United Flying Octogenarians, the (AOPA) Airplane Owner’s and Pilot’s Association.

In conjunction with his part in the family ranching business, he was a member of the Lassen County Cattlemen’s Association and the Lassen County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Lassen High School Alumni Association, the Susanville Elks Lodge and the Susanville Lions Club. Evan served on the Board of Trustees of the Lassen Union High School. He was elected to the Susanville City Council where he was instrumental in the development of the Emerson Lake Municipal Golf Course and was appointed as the Susanville Municipal Airport Commissioner.

Evan always remained an inspiration to his family and friends.

On Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, Evan passed away at his family home in Susanville. He is survived by his daughters, Jane Hail and her husband Roger, of Fort Collins, Colo., Harriet Pace and her husband Fred, of Hughson, Calif. and Catherine Gile, of Visalia, Calif. He is also survived by his 13 grandchildren and his 26 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 at the Assembly of God Church on Richmond Road. A reception will follow. Anyone wishing to bring food to the church is asked to please call Traci Witry at 257-7447.

In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made to the Lassen High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, the Parkinson’s Disease foundation or to your favorite charity.

Henriette “Hank” Hardy passed away Nov. 8, 2011, at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nev. with her family at her side.

Hank was born on Sept. 2, 1942, in Susanville, Calif. to Pierre and Jeanne Arretche. Pierre was a mill worker and Jeanne operated a boarding house. The boarding house doubled as their residence where Hank and her older sister, Yvonne, grew up. It was during this time that Hank learned her culinary and baking skills at a very young age. Basque was the language of the household, and Hank did not learn the English language until she attended grammar school.

Hank and her childhood friends, Berto Cordoba and Norma Cordoba (Garate) were inseparable. Hank and Norma remained the greatest of friends to the end, talking and lunching often.

Hank attended Lincoln Elementary School where she was “a good little student.” According to her 4th grade report card, she could have done better, “if she could control her talking.”

Hank was a 1960 graduate of Lassen High School, and worked the soda fountain at Spaulding Drug Store on Main Street, while attending high school. Hank met her future husband, James (Jim) Hardy, when he entered the store for a soda, just a few days following his discharge from the United States Army in September 1960. Both knew each was the “Love of Their Life” and were married on May 13, 1961, at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Reno, Nev. Berto Cordoba was the best-man, and Norma Cordoba was the maid-of-honor. Hank and Jim were avid bicyclists, having traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe on a tandem bicycle.

Hank was extremely proud of her Basque heritage, where she helped organize and operate the Susanville Eskualdunak Basque Club. Hank was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Laureate Theta Psi. She dedicated her time to the Salvation Army; Caring and Sharing with the Catholic Church; Toys for Christmas and she sponsored two children from Guatemala and the Philippines through Catholic Charities. Hank was a school bus driver for the Lassen Unified School District for 30 years where she positively impacted the lives of those she drove to school, as well as those with whom she worked. Hank retired in 2001. Hank enjoyed gardening and was quite proud of her yard being placed on display for the Art In The Garden Home Tour. Hank also enjoyed traveling, exercising, cooking, baking, rock-n-roll music and spoiling her grandchildren.

Hank was preceded in death by her parents and sister.

Hank is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Jim; her son Jim and his wife Dawn, of Truckee, Calif.; her son Robert and his wife Linda, of Susanville; and her son Daniel and his wife Jelena, of Reno, Nev.She is also survived by her grandchildren, Danielle Hardy, Michael Hardy and Braden Hardy; and great-grandchild Ava Shayne LaFond.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Hank’s memory to the Salvation Army.

Services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

July 1, 1918 – Nov. 8, 2011

Elva May Donaldson Long passed away Nov. 8, 2011 at her daughter’s home in Milford, Calif. Elva was born July 1, 1918 in Independence, Ore. to Lester and Amanda Donaldson.

During her childhood the family moved several times until they settled in Susanville in 1930. Her father worked in the logging camps in Oregon and California.

Elva met her husband George Long at a dance at Cindercone in Standish, Christmas of 1934. They were married Aug. 20, 1935. They were married almost 65 years — George passed away June 7, 2000.

George and Elva lived in Susanville, Westwood, Burney, Tulilake and Napa, Calif. prior to returning to Susanville in 1975. They became active in the Lassen County Historical Society and the Salvation Army. They were also very active in the First Baptist Church. They moved to Milford in 1997.

Elva devoted her life to taking care of her husband and family.

Elva was preceded in death by her brother Leland Donaldson; sisters Verna Donaldson Pierce and Dorothy Donaldson Glenn.

She has four children, Marlene Red-Horse (his Rossen), of Granite Bay; Myrna Long, of Sonora; Elva Jean Weir (Harry), of Milford; and George Ernest Long, of Worley, Idaho. She has 17 grandchildren, Steve, Richard and George Red-Horse, of the Sacramento area; Phyllis Sherburn, of Susanville; Jim McNabb, of Korea; Ron McNabb, of Redding, Lorie Wagmer, of Lodi, Jeff Holmes, of Napa; Alan Holmes, of Susanville; Ken Holmes, of Janesville; Kathryn Tanner, of Yuba City; Karen Eastman, of Lincoln; Daurnei Jardine, of Morgan Hill; George (Eddie) Long, of Worby, Idaho; Angel Long and Teri Morrison, of Fruitland, Idaho; and Debbie Petty, of Nyssa, Ore.

She is also survived by 37 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren. Seven nieces and nephews including, Gail Langslet, of Susanville.

Donations may be made in her honor to the Lassen County Historical Society, P.O. Box 321, Susanville, CA 96130.

Eileen C. Mattern

Eileenpassed peacefully at Pinecrest Retirement Home in Auburn, Calif. Nov. 6, 2011.Born Sept. 9, 1921 in Whittier, Calif. She was the daughter of William Joseph and Nancy Cora Clark.

She is predeceased byher parents; her belovedhusband, Robert Stanley Mattern; herson Mark S. Mattern;and brothers, Karl and William Clark.

Eileen graduated from Whittier UnionHigh School and attendedWoodbury Business College in Los Angeles, Calif. While in Whittier she worked as a carhop,telephone operator, seamstress, and assistant to the vice president ofWelch's Candy Co.and raised her three boys.

The family moved to Westwood, Calif.(LassenCounty) in 1963, and later she and Stanmoved to Susanville, Calif.,where she resided until October 2008.

Her husband once wrote, "Eileen is the same sweet girl with a few gray hairs added.She keeps busy year round.Having a real estate office at Lake Almanor andherhobbies of collecting antiques and all-around good junk keep her busy ... she could have kept up with the pioneers of years gone by, asmy"Cory" can whip up a real tasty meal on the wood stove and handle the snow shoveling like a veteran."

She lovedbaking (always trying new recipes)andgardening (with a specialfondnessforgrowing Africanviolets).She wasan avid reader and her organizational skills were to be envied. She enjoyed herbook club, garden club,volunteering at the Salvation Army, and golfing with the ladies, who were fondly known as the "niner's."

Shemade the world a more beautiful place, just by being in it, and will be greatly missed by allwhose lives she touched.

She is survived by her son, Robert W. Mattern, of Apache Junction, Ariz.,his wifeGeorgia Sue; sonJohn Steven Mattern, of Auburn, Calif.,his wife, Frances (Snider);daughter-in-law Vickey Mattern; former daughter-in-law, Kathy Ferguson; 10 grandchildren,29 great grandchildren, four nieces and extended families as well asher loving caretakers, Danny and Davika Moktan.

Rosemary Ann (Harris) Totten

Rosemary Ann (Harris) Totten was born on Dec. 18, 1960 in Vallejo, Calif. She passed away Nov. 6, 2011 in Alturas, Calif. due to complications from viral encephalitis.

She graduated from Susanville Elementary in 1975, Ponderosa High School in 1979, Lassen College in June 1982 with an associates degree and California State University of Sacramento, in 1986 with a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

Rosemary was an RN in Susanville when she contracted viral encephalitis in November 1992. She was a supervisor who helped organize and start the Northeastern Home Health Care in Susanville. Prior to that she worked at the local hospital in the ER and surgery. She never recovered from the effects of her illness and was moved from various hospitals and nursing homes and spent the last 13 years of her life as a patient at Warnerview Long-term Care in Alturas, Calif.

Growing up, Rosemary was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with her many friends and five brothers. She would spend summers in Grass Valley visiting her grandparents and learning to gold pan. Rosemary was gifted in music, academics and her ability to make friends easily.

During her high school years, she expressed her love of music through choir, piano and clarinet. Rosemary looked forward to camping trips with the C.Y.O. where on one trip to Eagle Lake, she began dating her childhood friend, Tracy Totten, who she later married on May 2, 1987.

Rosemary is survived by her husband, Tracy Totten, of Susanville; mother, Joan Harris, of Susanville; brothers, Anthony Harris (Connie), of Susanville, Michael Harris (Wendy), of Utica, N.Y. and Peter Harris, of Carson City, Nev.; aunt and uncle Bernadine and Carlos Astesana, of Grass Valley, Calif.; great-aunts, Jean Kotchick and Florence Krulewski, of Hanover Township, Penn. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who will all miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Ira E. Harris in 1985, and her brothers, Edward and John in 1987; her grandparents, Edward and Martha Suchodolski, and Ira J. and Verda Harris.

Services are pending at this time.

Jennifer Rose Boatright was born April 15, 1981 and died Nov. 8, 2011. Join us at a celebration Mass at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at Sisters of Mercy Chapel, 535 Sacramento St., Auburn, CA. The celebration will continue at a location to be determined. Per Jennifer’s request, dress colorfully and come share the joy of her life.

For more information call Elaine Theobald at 257-6243.