Lake County News,California

Obits

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Friday, 21 August 2020 01:31; 21 August 2020

Edward A. Collins

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Edward A. Collins was born March 4, 1961, in Oakland, California. Ed passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at the age of 59 in his home in Upper Lake.

He was predeceased by his father Arthur Collins and brother Steven Collins.

Ed leaves behind his wife, Trina Collins; his children, Amy Collins, Brandon Goodrich (Vanessa), Melissa Quick (Andrew), Dr. Brandi A. Holt, Shoshana Lane and Amanda Lane; his mother, Hilfri Harvesty; brother, Gordon Collins; sister, Susan Mathiesen; and six grandchildren.

Ed has been involved in the Lakeport and Upper Lake community since he moved here in 1969. Ed worked in the local pear sheds as a teen and graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1978. He went on to drive truck for Kendall-Jackson Wines then Timberline Disposal.

Ed went back to school and got his Associate of Science degree in alcohol and other drug studies in 2013 from Mendocino College. Ed became a counselor at local drug rehabilitation centers and retired as a DUI counselor and instructor.

Ed was greatly involved in his community through many clubs and organizations he was a part of. He helped build the community through volunteering his time with the Lakeport Lions Club, Operation Tango Mike, Sea Scouts, ECV, Lakeport Senior Center, playing Santa Claus during holiday events, Upper Lake Citizens Patrol and other various organizations around the lake.

Due to gathering restrictions at this time, a service will not be held. You can pay your respects to Ed by visiting his plot at the Upper Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Tuesday, 18 August 2020 00:32; 18 August 2020

Paul Racine

LAKE COUNTY, California – Longtime Lakeport businessman and entrepreneur Paul Racine passed peacefully at his lakeside home on July 11, 2020.

Born Paul Edgar Racine on Aug. 18, 1943, Racine was raised in the coastal town of Fort Bragg where his family owned and operated Racine’s, a retail store that has been a fixture of downtown Fort Bragg for many years.

Upon graduation from Fort Bragg High School at 17, Racine enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served with intelligence units in Germany and Turkey.

He returned home at age 21 and enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College. There he met the woman who would become his wife, Olga Carmiggelt.

Together they started Paul Racine Distributor, a small auto parts distributorship in the Napa area and they also began their family.

With daughter Tara Dawn and son Paul Jobe (known always as “PJ”), the Racines moved to the Holiday Cove neighborhood in Lakeport and built the family home, a geodesic dome structure that was unique to Lake County at the time. It was situated at the entrance to Holiday Cove on a commercial piece of property.

The Racines were avid boaters and water sports enthusiasts.

Racine was a born entrepreneur. He had a keen eye for design and mechanical concepts, and these talents revealed themselves in the many businesses that he founded and operated over the years.

In the late 1970s, he bought and operated “Alga Baby Boat Bottom Cleaner.” It essentially was a drive-through boat wash that had an underwater array of brushes that would clean algae and other debris from boat hulls.

At the same time he cleaned local chimneys and stove pipes under the name “Sweeperman and Ashley.” Ashley was the vacuum system that he employed to keep chimney residue from damaging floors and carpets.

Racine’s signature achievement was “The Dock Factory.” He designed and built floating docks, swim platforms and other water-borne structures starting at his home in 1981. Racine’s docks can be found on many lakes throughout California.

Racine’s company manufactured the docks that today grace the shoreline at Lakeport’s Library Park. It is now located at the Soda Bay Road facility.

Racine’s son, PJ, purchased the business in 2016 to carry on the family tradition.

Racine’s latest contribution to the county’s recreation attractions was the building of a slot car track on Soda Bay Road. “Fun Time Slot Car Raceway” was a place where slot car enthusiasts could bring their cars to compete or rent cars by the hour.

In addition to his business achievements, Racine was a founding member of the Konocti Youth Soccer League, which thousands of the county's youth have been a part of growing up, and the Clear Lake Rimlander’s Association. That organization worked to promote the health and access to the lake for business and recreation purposes and many other things.

He was also a life-long Porsche fan and collector and could frequently be seen about town in one of his many classic Porsches.

Racine is survived by his wife of 52 years, Olga; daughter Tara (husband Raoul, children Jasmine, Kaia, Luna and Malia); and son PJ (wife Sausha, children Addison and Riley).

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Saturday, 15 August 2020 01:19; 15 August 2020

Kathy Sue Galyean

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Kathy Sue Galyean, born June 5, 1947, to parents Charlie and Cora Galyean in Oakland, California, passed in her sleep on July 28, 2020.

Kathy Warner/Brennan/Stuart was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Stuart. She is survived by her son, Rocky Parker; grandson, Logan Parker; her sister, Jackie; and two nieces.

She brought a great deal of joy to her son, Rocky, always supportive, always there for him and never short of good advice. In Rocky’s words, an awesome Mom.

Kathy became a Sister of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Lakeport in 1982, Delta Iota Tau Chapter. Kathy was a great friend to all her Delta Iota Tau Sisters, funny, full of life, a bright ray of sunshine and the ultimate accessorizor for all of us, the Queen of Bling, that was our Sister Kathy.

During her many years in Lakeport, she owned a Bible store for a while, then went to work for the Lakeport Safeway store, finally retiring from there.

During her tenure with Safeway, Kathy was in charge of hiring some who later became her Sisters in Delta Iota Tau and others who still work for Safeway.

Kathy leaves behind many friends in Portland and Bend, Oregon; Yuma, Arizona, and Lakeport. A bright light in this world, missed by many.

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Thursday, 20 August 2020 02:39; 20 August 2020

Nancy Odette Hundemann

Nancy Odette Hundemann
Oct. 12, 1954 - Aug. 12, 2020

Nancy Odette Hundemann, age 65, passed away peacefully and without pain. She endured an ongoing battle with diverticulitis and short bowel syndrome. She had multiple surgeries at various hospitals from Florida to California and even Nevada.

Nancy was born on Long Island, New York. She was married, and subsequently, divorced. She leaves behind one son, Travis; and a grandson, Cameron.

Nancy was a “people person” and was always willing to help others as she saw fit. She loved Angels and flying stunt kites. She was a strong woman with many multitasking abilities.

A life-long friendship was formed with her “Sister” Annette. They met in 1983 as a bartender and a server.

Nancy then turned her talents into entrepreneurship as a restaurant owner in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She had three restaurants, and as her sickness progressed, she lost them all by 2007.

Nancy will be laid to rest in Jax, Florida, side by side with her parents and uncle. May she rest in peace and shine down upon us all from above.

Donations towards the family's funeral costs can be made to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 North High St., Lakeport, CA 95453. Please send checks or money orders. No cash, please.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

**Nancy Hundemann, at right. Courtesy photo.**

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Saturday, 15 August 2020 01:23; 15 August 2020

Viola Trujillo

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Viola Trujillo was born on April 19, 1926, in Del Norte, Colorado, and went to heaven on Aug. 9, 2020, at the age of 94.

She was the oldest of 13 children born to Juan Antonio Herrera and Maria Leocadia Gurule, but was raised primarily by her grandmother Sofia Gurule. She was predeceased by her sister Martha (Peña) and brothers Charlie, Delmer and Eppie. She is survived by her brothers Antonio and Arturo and her sisters Helen (Dulac) and Alice (Waid).

Viola married Gilberto Trujillo on Sept. 8, 1941. They migrated to California during the war in 1942 in search of a better life. They settled in Richmond where they raised their five children; Barbara Carver (Ed), Sandra Holman (Dan), Ronaldo, Roger and Lisa Romo (Absalon).

They retired in 1976 and moved to Clearlake. They were able to travel extensively with friends and family and spent several winters in Yuma, Arizona. Viola and Gilbert were married for 59 years before his passing in January of 2001.

Viola, also known as Mama, Nana Lolo, and Dodo, had 10 grandchildren: Greg Stanfill, Carrie Moore, Dan Holman, David Holman, Dean Holman, Chea Briggs, Maria Trujillo, Joanna Trujillo, Melissa Romo and Armando Romo; and 10 great-grandchildren, William R. Moore, Heather Hansell, Cherylynn Thompson, Aurora Stanfill, Tony Holman, Jason Holman, Tommy Holman, Cassandra Romo, Ariyanna Romo and Asher Romo; and one great-great-grandchild, Rylan Bemish.

She will be remembered as a delightful woman, young at heart who enjoyed life to the fullest. Everyone wanted to be in her presence listening to her stories and her jokes! She enjoyed spending time with her large, extended family: picnics, reunions, playing cards, board games, dancing, music and especially going to the casino.

While she leaves an enormous void in the family, she also leaves many memories that will be cherished and passed on forever.

Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

: Lake County News Reports; Posted On Thursday, 13 August 2020 03:03; 13 August 2020

Helen Beilsten

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Helen Beilsten, age 98, passed away very suddenly on Aug. 7, 2020. She was born in Los Angeles in 1922.

Helen was an amazing, very loving mother, and a beloved wife. She had a sweet sense of humor and a beautiful soul.

She was happily married to Harry Beilsten – who predeceased her in 2015 – for 70 years, and they had so many wonderful adventures.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Branston and Debbie Vayder; three grandchildren, Tammy Varnum, Jenny DeGroat and Sheri Obranovich; and her three great-grandchildren, Austin Penney, and Audrianna and Emilie Obranovich.

Helen was an accomplished singer and pianist. She and Dad met singing together for many churches and venues in Los Angeles and sang the leads in the opera “Carmen” for the San Gabriel Opera Co.

They married during World War II, which changed her singing ambitions. They started building houses during the war while working full-time jobs. They built 14 homes and an apartment complex over their lifetimes, for which Mom drew the plans and ran the skill saw.

In 1962 they moved from LA to Lake County. Helen loved the country and taught us to appreciate the beauty of nature. We learned to sing, play piano and cherish gorgeous music.

She came from a family of ranchers in New Mexico and Arizona and she bought a ranch in Lake County complete with cattle, horses and pear trees.

We loved every minute there learning to garden and become horse-loving cattle folk, enjoying everything the country life had to offer.

Every cow was special. The pigs all had names. She went to the horse auction and bought a horse that jumped the fence a few days later.

They purchased a restaurant in the Bay Area to supplement their lives, and ran both places for many years.

Helen had always loved art, and traveled abroad and to Alaska, Canada and the US gathering pictures for her paintings. She sold many of her paintings and was in the Painters of America catalogs.

She wrote a novel, taught us to sew, to bake, to garden, to laugh, to love, to cherish life, and in spite of many downturns and challenges in her life she always remained positive. Her message to us was “that taking risks is OK, and don’t give up when difficult times come.”

One of her favorite sayings was, “It’s in God’s hands.”

The last year of her life she said, “If you have any joy in your life, live it now,” and about the COVID-19 virus and life in general she said, “Don’t you think the Lord will take care of us?”

In her last few weeks she said, “Go with God every day.”

We will miss her until we see her happily with Dad in Heaven above. We were lucky to have known her, and I am sure she is shining brightly in Heaven.

We all love you forever, Mom.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .