LAKEPORT, Calif. – Beloved Lakeport resident Carol Kesey died peacefully at home on Feb. 19, 2015, age 97 years.

Born in 1917 in Ukiah, Calif., to parents Franz D. Grothe Sr. and Jennie (Goodrich) Grothe, Carol was the second of four children.

At the age of four weeks she was brought back to the family homestead at Blue Rock Ranch near Bell Springs in northern Mendocino County. Part of this journey was over steep horse trails in a buckboard wagon.

Her formative years were spent at the family pear ranch on Babcock Lane in Talmage. Carol attended Ukiah public schools, excelling in English and Latin, and graduated from Ukiah High School in 1936.

She attended San Francisco State College, earning her bachelor's degree and her teaching credential. There she met William “Bill” Kesey in the college band.

During World War II, Carol taught third grade in Petaluma while her fiancé Bill served as a navigator on a B-24 over occupied Europe.

In September 1944, Bill and Carol were married at her parents' Witter Springs home. Following Bill’s military service, the couple returned to Lake County and raised three children.

In 1967, Carol returned to the classroom full-time, teaching kindergarten in Lakeport. Her students fondly remember field trips to her beautiful home flower garden, the fun art projects she gave them, and her kind heart.

Carol was active in her retirement years, tending her garden and arranging flowers, playing bridge with close friends, and researching family genealogy. She always preferred to give her creations away to friends and family.

She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered for her clever wit and her constant generosity.

Carol is survived by her sister, Margaret Crane of Belmont, Calif.; brother, Dan Grothe of Lakeport; her children, Tom Kesey (wife Jane) of Potter Valley, Jim Kesey (partner Karen) of Sacramento and Laura Kesey-Farrell (husband Verne) of Forks, Wash.; her grandchildren, Roy Kesey (wife Ana Lucía) of Bethesda, MD, Kelly Kesey of Ukiah, Andrea Farrell of Bellingham, Wash., and Jonathan Farrell of Pullman, Wash.; and by her great-grandchildren Alexandria Clark of Colfax, Calif., and Chloe and Thomas Kesey of Bethesda, MD.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill, her sister Connie Weaver, and three nephews, Lewis “Jeep” Grothe, Richard Crane and Paul Weaver.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 6, at United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush St., Lakeport, with Pastor Shannon Kimbell-Auth officiating.

Her family expresses its gratitude to the wonderful staff of Hospice of Lake County and Sequoia Senior Solutions for their generous, loving care for Carol.

Memorial contributions to Hospice of Lake County, http://www.lakecountyhospice.org/donate/ , and United Christian Parish, http://www.lakeportucp.org/ , are encouraged.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 27 February 2015

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Naomi Ruth Richmond entered into rest on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at the age of 64 in St. Helena.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Naomi had lived in Lake County for 45 years and was a teacher and artist.

She was a member of The Women of Our Vietnam Veterans, the Silent Warriors Wives and Partners and Widows of Agent Orange (Vietnam Era).

She is survived by her sons, Edward Rasmussen Jr. of Blountstown, Fla., Jon Rasmussen of Westfield, Wis., and Todd Rasmussen of Marshall, Wis.; grandchildren, Krystie Rasmussen of Janesville, Wis., Dylan Rasmussen of Minot, North Dakota, Alora Paminto of Clearlake, Calif., Emma Fernau of Nashville, Tenn., Sydney Olsen of Port Angeles, Wash., Kirah Rasmussen of Norman, Okla., Casey Fox of San Diego, Calif., Erika Rasmussen of Biloxi, Miss., Megann Dillinger of Blountstown, Fla., and Trevor Rasmussen of Marshall, Wisc. Naomi is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Naomi will be inurned with her husband at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon. Memorial funds for Naomi are at www.gofundme.com/n0posw .

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.

Please share your loving memories of Naomi by signing her online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .

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Written by: Editor

Published: 27 February 2015

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Robert Heath Cotton Sr., frequently referred to as “Bob” by many friends and family passed away in Clearlake at age 69.

Bob was born on Feb. 25, 1945, in San Diego, Calif., to Russell and Maxine (Morgan) Cotton.

He would have turned 70 just 10 days later on Feb. 25. Instead he was suddenly taken from us all on February 15, 2015. His passing is a shock to family and friends.

Bob left behind eight children (from oldest to youngest), Tanya Mahlen, A. Laura Matthias, John Christopher, Heather Marie, Robert Cotton Jr., Carina Cotton, Kirsten Dellinger and Matthew Cotton; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Bob served his country in the U.S. Army until he was discharged with full honors in late 1963.

During his service, he earned his marksmanship badge. As a skilled marksman, he was able to pass his unique skills down to his oldest two children, Tanya and Laura, one of whom passed her skills down to her children.

Bob lived his life to its fullest throughout his different career paths which took him from California to Washington and back to California. He had the ability to change careers if he was bored or tired of doing the same thing day in and day out.

One employer he really enjoyed working for was a local favorite, Epidendio Construction in Clearlake. He worked there as a truck driver for five years.

He also had a notable career working as a cook and a restaurant manager/manager trainer for Denny's Restaurant. He absolutely loved to cook, and passed those skills on to his daughters Tanya and Carina. He even patented his own barbecue sauce known by family as Bobaloo’s BBQ sauce.

As Bob settled into retirement, he chose to live out his senior days sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes and talking with his best friend Paul.

Through the last five years he enjoyed living with his son Robert Jr. and his wife and kids, and spent his final year living with his daughter Carina and her husband and kids.

Among different careers, he had many hobbies. One of which was rock collecting. His son Robert can tell you many stories about those rocks.

He would talk often about every one of his children to anyone who would listen. He would keep pictures of those that he didn't get to see often in his personal folder. Although he didn't get to talk to all of his children very often, he loved each and every one of them and never forgot them.

Bob will be missed by many, but he will be especially missed by his children.

A memorial service will be held for Bob at Jones & Lewis Mortuary located at 16140 Main St. in Lower Lake at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March, 17.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family on the Go Fund me account at www.gofundme.com/bobcottonfuneral .

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Written by: Editor

Published: 27 February 2015