Thursday, March 23, 2023
Kathy Thompson: 1945-2022
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Kathy Cauble Thompson, a 53-year resident of Humboldt County, passed peacefully on Nov. 27 from an illness that was terminal but of slow progression until suddenly it wasn't. The morning before her death her buddy cattle dog, Sara, galloped in and jumped on the bed to Kathy's joy and amusement. Hugging, tail wagging and laughter ensued.
Kathy was always full of smiles and laughter. She will be greatly missed by her husband of 52 years Jack Thompson, her brother Keith Cauble and his wife Lois Masin, her aunt Ruth McCarthy and family, her uncle Fred Fisher's extended family and her many friends, including Sigrid Casey, Bibbi Lee and Charlie Simonds, Lois Mellert, Laurel North, Vinnie Peloso and Debbi Krukonis, Geronimo Tagatac, Mark and Nadine Lancaster, David and Audrey Selby and Joe and Morris Robinson and their families. In the final months of her life she received kind and gentle support from the staff and her friends at Adult Day Care at Mad River.
Friday, March 3, 2023
Rose Joy Crutchfield Sundberg: 1932-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Fri, Mar 3, 2023 at 7:14 AM
Rose Joy Crutchfield Sundberg peacefully returned to her Creator on Feb. 25, 2023, at the age of 90. She was surrounded by family that loves her deeply. She was born March 25, 1932, at Yah-ter he-wan on the Klamath River, the third of five children, to Lila and Edward Crutchfield. She grew up in Blue Lake and attended elementary school there and graduated Arcata High School with the class of 1950.
Joy was Yurok and descendant from many Yurok villages, both river and coastal ner-er-nerh. Her paternal grandmother was Susie Donnelly Crutchfield, born at the village of Cho’-kwee and the original land holder of their family property at Yah-ter he-wan within the Yurok Reservation. Her maternal grandmother was Mary Shaffer Natt, born at Tsurai village in Trinidad, and the granddaughter of Big Lagoon Charlie. Her maternal grandfather was Robert Natt Sr. from the village of Hop-pew on the Klamath River.
Joy was Yurok and descendant from many Yurok villages, both river and coastal ner-er-nerh. Her paternal grandmother was Susie Donnelly Crutchfield, born at the village of Cho’-kwee and the original land holder of their family property at Yah-ter he-wan within the Yurok Reservation. Her maternal grandmother was Mary Shaffer Natt, born at Tsurai village in Trinidad, and the granddaughter of Big Lagoon Charlie. Her maternal grandfather was Robert Natt Sr. from the village of Hop-pew on the Klamath River.
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Sherae Marie O'Shaughnessy: 1985-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:00 AM
On Jan. 10, the world lost one of its brightest stars in Sherae Marie O'Shaughnessy. Children lost a mother, parents lost a daughter, siblings lost a sister and countless friends lost someone who they'll never forget.
Sherae Marie Meyers was born May 17, 1985 and raised in Southern California, and moved to Eureka when she was 19 years old. She came from a long line of celebrity family names, and was the granddaughter of the famous guitarist and Musicians Hall of Fame inductee Louie Shelton. A legacy of which she did not disappoint.
Sherae was a lot of things to a lot of people, all over the world. In Humboldt, many knew her as the voice on the radio that would take them home after work or wake them up in the morning while introducing you to artists you'd likely never heard before. She was the ruler of the airwaves for years but she was also the queen of the stand up comedy stage, as well. Whether she was hosting an event, making the filthiest jokes ever on a show with her beloved "Ba-Dum-Cha" crew or giving a band their first break on Late Night With Sherae, she was always the star of any stage she stepped on. She was also a regular columnist for the Times-Standard newspaper and The Emerald Magazine, and put on a TED Talk about parenting developmentally delayed children. It was because of her talents, incredible personality, razor sharp wit, impeccable style and, let's be honest, very pretty face ... that she was able to claim the title, “The Most Famous Not-Famous Person In The World!”
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
David Lee Fouché: 1945-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 7:00 AM
On Monday, Feb. 6, David Lee Fouché passed away, with his loving wife and children by his side, after an unexpected and aggressive cancer diagnosis.
Born in Sacramento on July 6, 1945, to parents Daniel and Lorraine Fouche, David attended grammar school, junior high and McClatchy High School in Sacramento.
David moved to Eureka in 1975, where his faith in Christ led him to join Gospel Outreach Christian Church and pursue his passion of ministry work. David’s love of Christ was his foundation, and on this he built his life, which included an unconditional love for all his cherished family and friends.
Born in Sacramento on July 6, 1945, to parents Daniel and Lorraine Fouche, David attended grammar school, junior high and McClatchy High School in Sacramento.
David moved to Eureka in 1975, where his faith in Christ led him to join Gospel Outreach Christian Church and pursue his passion of ministry work. David’s love of Christ was his foundation, and on this he built his life, which included an unconditional love for all his cherished family and friends.
Saturday, February 11, 2023
Virginia Ann Ciszek Felter: 1946-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Virginia Ann Ciszek Felter, "Ginny," was born at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital and grew up in a Marine family. Most of her youth was in southern California during the surf and car culture days but horses were always her love. She got her first horse as young teen and she and a friend would pack lunches and ride way out into the hills. Occasionally her horse would open the gate latch to visit the horses at the ranch down the lane. She’d hear the latch click so would have to walk down in her nightgown to bring him home.
She always loved animals and started working for a veterinarian. That led to getting her license as a registered veterinary technician. Horses became a secondary career, both in raising and jumping. Heaps of prize ribbons remain, along with plates and bowls around the house commemorating Hunter and Jumper events that she was in across the region. In the ’90s she became the head of the Equine Division of the Helen Woodward Animal Hospital.
Her dad was a Marine WW2 war hero and a tough father to grow up under. Her older brother never satisfied dad’s expectations so Ginny would step in and try to fill her brother’s shoes. An example is when brother Bob had no interest in the family airplane, Ginny took up flying and soloed. She paid attention to her dad’s business savvy and began a portfolio at a young age.
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Richard 'Dick' Lindsay: 1936-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sun, Feb 5, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Richard “Dick” Lindsay, loving husband to wife of 31 years, Barbara Lindsay, and adoring father to his children, Michelle and Renee, passed away at home on Jan. 30, 2023.
Dick was born May 24,1936, to Alfred and Olga Lindsay in Cambridge, Minnesota. The oldest of six children, Dick joined the U.S. Air Force on June 15,1954 and served until Dec. 9,1957. After his military service, Dick moved to Hawaii with his first wife, Marie, where they had two children, Michelle and Renee. Dick managed a New Holland dealership on the island of Oahu, before moving to California after learning of an opportunity to own his own dealership. That place was Fernbridge and the dealership was Barnes Tractor & Equipment Co. Together with his business partner, Clayton Andrew (Zeke) Van Deventer, they ran the John Deere dealership for many years until Zeke’s death in 1990, when Dick took sole ownership. In 2010, Dick and his son-in-law, Mike Bibby, became partners in Fernbridge Tractor & Equipment, which remained in operation until 2018, when the business was sold to Papé Machinery.
Dick was born May 24,1936, to Alfred and Olga Lindsay in Cambridge, Minnesota. The oldest of six children, Dick joined the U.S. Air Force on June 15,1954 and served until Dec. 9,1957. After his military service, Dick moved to Hawaii with his first wife, Marie, where they had two children, Michelle and Renee. Dick managed a New Holland dealership on the island of Oahu, before moving to California after learning of an opportunity to own his own dealership. That place was Fernbridge and the dealership was Barnes Tractor & Equipment Co. Together with his business partner, Clayton Andrew (Zeke) Van Deventer, they ran the John Deere dealership for many years until Zeke’s death in 1990, when Dick took sole ownership. In 2010, Dick and his son-in-law, Mike Bibby, became partners in Fernbridge Tractor & Equipment, which remained in operation until 2018, when the business was sold to Papé Machinery.
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Gerhard Drumm: 1929-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 7:30 AM
Gerhard Drumm, born in Yugoslavia on Feb. 2, 1929, died peacefully at his home in Loleta on Jan. 25, 2023 after a long, well-lived life.
Gerhard’s family survived the violence and hunger of WWII, only to be interned in concentration camps with other Yugoslavians of German descent by Tito’s forces after the war was over. They were able to flee and eventually emigrated to Pasadena, California. In 1934, Gerhard married Elisabeth Lindner. After completing a B.S. in chemistry, he entered the ministry and was ordained into the (United) Methodist Church in 1961, serving churches in Potter Valley, Fresno, Oakdale and Eureka, California. In addition to ministering to their congregations and raising eight children, Gerhard and Elisabeth opened their home to a stream of relatives, exchange students and refugees.
Casey John Ray: 1973-2022
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Casey passed away on Dec. 21. He was born on Nov. 18, 1973, to Jennifer and Geary Ray.
He spent his early years in Southern California. His mother remarried in 1982, and his family moved to Ferndale when he was in third grade.
Casey was involved in Boy Scouts, church activities and especially sports. He was very proud that in his senior year at Ferndale High (Class of ‘93!), the football team went undefeated, and he was named co-MVP of the league. After high school, he played football at Ventura JC and at Santa Barbara Community College. During high school and college, Casey shared his love of sports with many young people, coaching in multiple youth leagues.
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Patricia Meinhardt: 1937-2022
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sun, Jan 29, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Patricia Nan Meinhardt, 85, of Ferndale Ca. passed away Nov. 8, 2022 due to living a long fulfilling life of joy, love and faith.
Patricia was born on July 23, 1937, to Blanche and Vincent Casavecchia in the city of Lynn, Massachusetts. After she graduated from high school she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Washington, D.C., Army Hospital. While serving in the Army she met Don Bowen Sr. and had a son named Don Bowen Jr at Walter Reed Hospital.
Shortly after having Don Bowen Jr, Patricia and family moved to Southern California, where she would soon meet lifelong friends Patty Larouche and Shirley Robertson. The three became inseparable and shared a bond as single mothers spending time and raising their kids together.
As a single mother, she took on several positions at the Orange County hospital with a focus on diet and nutrition. While working in the health profession and raising her son, she met the love of her life, Joseph Meinhardt, who eventually convinced her to marry him and move to the great northwest in a beautiful Victorian home in Ferndale.
Enjoying her retirement, she spent much of her time involved in community activities such as: The Village Club, The Garden Club, The Ferndale Museum and Bocce Ball. However, her favorite commitment of all was her devotion to God and a member of the Church of the Assumption, where she attended regularly, read passages at mass and spent a short time as a Sunday school teacher.
Patricia was a beloved member of her community and was often spotted attending gatherings with her dear friends at local diners and visiting patrons and merchants while strolling downtown Ferndale.
Patricia was predeceased by her parents, Blanche and Vincent Casavecchia, brother Wayne Casavecchia and husband Joseph Meinhardt. She is survived by her sister Anna Scalia, son Don Bowen, daughter-in-law Donna Bowen, grandson Vincent Bowen and his family Danielle, Liam, and Giddeon, dear friend Shirley Robertson and extended East Coast family.
The Bowen family would like to extend thanks to all who had a lasting memory with Patricia and the warm love, prayer, and thoughts shared.
On Feb. 4 at 11 a.m., a service will be held at the Church of the Assumption located at 546 Berding St., Ferndale, California. A gathering immediately following were memories, stories and shared laughter can be had in Patricia’s memory. Welcome to all who would like to attend.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Joan Katri: 1939-2023
Posted By North Coast Journal Staff on Sat, Jan 28, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Joan Katri was born in 1939 in Eureka to Bernard and Mary Katri. She grew up in Ferndale, graduating in 1957 from Ferndale high school.
Joan attended and graduated from California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. She then worked in commercial art in San Francisco for several years after which she lived on the East Coast for a number of years.
Joan returned to Ferndale about 40 years ago and became involved with the art community. She was active in the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce , the Ferndale museum and the Art Co-op.
She is survived by her twin sister, Janice Holdaway, of Magnolia, Texas, and brother, Dennis Katri, of Fortuna.
A memorial gathering will planned at a later date.
Submit an Obituary
The North Coast Journal publishes free online obituaries, allowing people to share news of a loved one's passing with the community and celebrate their life. Submit your obituary with or without photos to obituaries@northcoastjournal.com at least three days before you would like to see them posted. Please include your name and contact information. Submissions may be edited for spelling and grammar. (For some tips on how to write a compelling remembrance, click here.)
The Journal also offers paid obituaries in our weekly newspaper as an option for those who would like to see them print. For more information on print obituaries, contact Mark Boyd at mark@northcoastjournal.com or (707) 442-1400, extension 314.
The North Coast Journal publishes free online obituaries, allowing people to share news of a loved one's passing with the community and celebrate their life. Submit your obituary with or without photos to obituaries@northcoastjournal.com at least three days before you would like to see them posted. Please include your name and contact information. Submissions may be edited for spelling and grammar. (For some tips on how to write a compelling remembrance, click here.)
The Journal also offers paid obituaries in our weekly newspaper as an option for those who would like to see them print. For more information on print obituaries, contact Mark Boyd at mark@northcoastjournal.com or (707) 442-1400, extension 314.
