News

May is Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for older adults, who are a growing and increasingly vital part of our society.

The contributions they make to our communities are varied, deeply rooted and include influential roles in the nation’s economy, politics and the arts.

From 84-year-old actress Rita Moreno to 69-year-old NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. to 83-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who took her seat as a Supreme Court Justice at age 60, older adults are blazing trails in all aspects of American life.

Since 1963, communities across the country have shown their gratitude by celebrating Older Americans Month each May.

Led by the Administration for Community Living, the annual observance offers the opportunity to learn about, support and celebrate our nation’s older citizens.

This year’s theme, “Blaze a Trail,” emphasizes the ways older adults are reinventing themselves through new work and new passions, engaging their communities, and blazing a trail of positive impact on the lives of people of all ages.

The Area Agency on Aging of Lake & Mendocino Counties pays tribute to seniors each year – especially during the month of May – and affirms the accomplishments and skills of older adults living in Lake and Mendocino counties.

As the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, our communities have increased their efforts to provide meaningful opportunities for older adults – many of whom remain socially and physically active through their 80s and beyond.

Current trends show that people over age 60 account for an ever-growing percentage of volunteers in community service positions, faith-based organizations, online social networking as well as arts and recreational groups.

According to the Administration on Aging, approximately 40 million senior adults – people 65 years or older – live in the U.S., comprising nearly 15 percent of the total population.

One of every eight Americans is a senior citizen, and this number is expected to reach over 72 million older persons by the year 2030.

As part of Older Americans Month and in keeping with the theme of “Blaze a Trail,” we encourage everyone to get involved.

One way to blaze that trail is to donate your time. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is always looking for volunteers, as is the In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Committee.

Be a trailblazer! Join in promoting activities, inclusion and wellness for older Americans in our community.

For more information, please contact Lake County Department of Social Services Adult Services office at 707-995-4680.

Todd Metcalf is the Adult Services program manager at Lake County Department of Social Services in Lake County, Calif.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Memorial Day weekend service at the Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County will focus on remembrance.

The service, led by Rev. Margaret Flick, will begin at 11 a.m. at Sunday, May 29, at the church, located at 3810 Main St. in Kelseyville. Guests are welcome.

In honor of Memorial Day, the service is entitled, “We Remember Them.”

Memorial Day is for remembering. In this service, the church will remember and honor loved ones who have died by learning from their mistakes and emulating the best in them. People who attend are invited to bring a photo of a loved one.

Rev. Flick currently serves as the Minister of Unity of Santa Rosa. She believes that prayer, gratitude and compassion – combined with an open and receptive mind – are the ingredients for a heart-centered and joyful life. She also is a volunteer for the Hospice Services of Lake County bereavement program.

For more information call 707-587-4243.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Sarah Margaret Ekstrom died May 19, 2016, at Meadowood Nursing Center in Clearlake. She was 92.

She was a resident of the Bay Area before retiring to Clearlake in 1983. She was employed as a phone operator for Pacific Bell Telephone Co. for 27 years.

Her husband of 48 years, Harry Pardee Ekstrom, died in 2000. She was also preceded in death by  siblings Tommie Brown, Anne Mae Moll and Leonard Jones.

She is survived by a sister, Betty Joe Jackson of Oklahoma City, Okla., and several nieces and nephews.

Sarah was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clearlake for many years.

She loved her cats Fluffy and Midnight that she adopted seven years ago. She enjoyed feeding the animals as well as gardening. She also loved birds and deer, “Her Outside Work.”

Visitation will be Friday, May 27, at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel in Lower Lake from 4 to 7 p.m. Inurnment will be at Lower Lake Cemetery with husband Harry Ekstrom.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel. Please share your loving memories of Sarah by signing her online guestbook on www.jonesandlewis.com and www.legacy.com .

James Edouard Ray

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Born on April 26, 1933, in Monett, Missouri, and passed away May 21, 2016 at the age of 83.

In 1945 the Ray family moved to Lakeport. Jim attended Clear Lake High School, played football, basketball, baseball and track, and met his future wife, Shirley Hage.

After graduating in 1951, he was a parts manager for Lake Chevrolet for seven years, then owned and operated Thrifty Food Market on Main Street in Lakeport for 17 years.

Jim was a volunteer on the Lakeport Fire Department for 16 years, became a professional fireman in 1975, retired in 1998, then continued as a volunteer for many more years. He served his community as a firefighter/EMT II for a total of 44 years.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Kathryn, and his brother Charles.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; sons, Robert (Karen) Ray and David (Kathy) Schultz; daughters, Rhonda (Dave) Stine and Richele Ray; grandchildren, Jason Brown, Michaela Stine, Jeanine Gentry, Jennifer Herrguth, David Ray, Tommy Stine, Nathan Ray, Jake Schultz, Josh Schultz, Darian Vaars, Rory Ottolini and Sarah Schultz; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Jim had a kind heart, quick wit, immense love for family and friends, and will be greatly missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Saturday, May 28, at 1 p.m.

Family prefers donations to Lakeport Fire Department in Jim's memory.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Donald L. Linde passed peacefully of natural causes with his family at his side on May 15, 2016, in Clearlake.

Born Dec. 20, 1923, in Mankato, Minnesota, Donald was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Proudly serving in the U.S. Marine Corp through World War II, he continued his service as a ranking sergeant in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for 25 years.

Upon retiring, he and his late wife Joann enjoyed all the pleasures of traveling throughout the United States, residing in and exploring Alaska for three summers. They settled in Clearlake where they continued to enjoy the boating and fishing they so loved.

He joined the Elks Lodge where he met and made many friends, volunteering for countless years, doing what members did best raising funds for a various organizations.

Donald is preceded in death by Joann, his wife of 55 years; daughters, Jackie and Ruth; and grandson, Tom.

He is survived by daughters, Anola Linde and Denice Pruett; and grandchildren, Carl Brantley, Greg Brantley, Audra Xanders, Christine Lin, Robert and Rick Masillo, and Sean Robles; and many great-grandchildren.

A private memorial service will be held.

Services entrusted to Jones and Lewis CLMC Lower Lake, Calif., telephone 707-994-6417.

Click here to contact listing agent Don Fulkerson. Or give him a call at 707-477-8766

Contact listing agent.