Obits
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
In Loving Memory ...
Mary F. Carter
1940-2024
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On April 12, 2024, Mary Frances Carter passed away at Orchard Park Memory Care unit after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mary served the community for over three decades. She retired as a nurse from Sutter Lakeside Hospital after 23 years, her last few years in the Birthing Center, and volunteered as an EMT2/Medic with the Kelseyville Fire District. She was a member of the Early Lake Lions, and served as a president of the Big Valley Lions.
She is survived by her husband, Don; her two sons, David and Glen; five grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.
Mary was loved by all who knew her and was especially known for her sense of humor and compassion.
She loved to travel by Don’s side while flying with him and on extended road trips. We will always miss her smile and beautiful disposition.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Eric ‘Keith’ Petterson
1945-2024
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Keith Petterson was “born at a young age” in Lakeport, California. His parents, Jean and Katie Dorn Petterson were pear farmers in Kelseyville.
With his two brothers, Dave and Tom, he grew up working on the farm and developed a lifelong love of farming. He continued farming his entire working life.
After high school graduation, Keith earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He “crammed four years of schooling into five,” obtained his pilot’s training and license and met and married Joyce Autry.
They moved back to Lake County, where he continued to farm the family pear orchards, and where his children, Stacia and Eric, were born.
Besides farming, the whole family enjoyed the outdoors: camping, riding horses, hunting, fishing and diving. Keith also enjoyed sailing and took many trips with his son, Eric, and cousin, Myron Holdenried, and different friends, to the Windward Island, Sea of Cortez and Tahiti.
Besides sailing, Keith traveled to several South American countries with the Agricultural Leadership Program, as well as numerous trips to visit his cousin, Reid Dorn, who grew wine grapes in Chile. He traveled to Guam and France to visit daughter, Stacia, who was living there.
In 2005 he met and married Denise Ishihara, and they traveled to Australia and Alaska, and celebrated one magical Christmas in Yellowstone National Park.
Keith loved road trips and traveled to Texas and Nebraska with “The Queen Mother”-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Vicki and Kathy, and stepson, Rob.
He loved to see the natural scenery but also the farmlands to see what crops were being farmed. But the sight that excited him the most was the tractor dealerships, where he would point out which tractor he wanted.
The most wonderful thing about Keith was his love of family and friends, many of them lifelong.
He is survived by his wife, Denise; his brothers, Dave and Tom; children, Stacia (Jim) Drape and Eric (Laurie) Petterson; stepsons, Rob (Jennifer), Rich (Kristen) and Scott (Lauri) Ishihara; and his beloved grandchildren, Chloe, Annie, Caleb, Emily, Gus, Cate, Eva, Josie, Brianna, Lucas, Ava and Dominic. He also has two great granddaughters, Ophelia and Iris. His love for them kept him going through numerous health challenges.
He maintained his positive attitude and enjoyment of life until the end when he passed away April 5 in the home in which he grew up.
He was an inspiration of strength and fortitude and will be deeply missed. He loved to take the road less traveled, and his motto was, “I don’t just travel to medical appointments, I go on adventures!”
A graveside ceremony to honor Keith will be on Monday, May 6, at 11 a.m. in the Kelseyville Cemetery on Bell Hill Road.
Lunch and sharing stories about Keith will take place immediately afterwards at the home of cousins Debbi and Brent Holdenried.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Clayton Smethurst, a beloved father, brother and grandfather, passed away on March 30, 2024, at the age of 81.
Born on July 25, 1942, in Longview, Washington, to Jack and Stella Smethurst, Clayton brought joy and laughter to the lives of all who knew him.
After graduating from high school in Astoria, Oregon, in 1960, Clayton proudly served in the Army. He then embarked on a fulfilling career as a propane gas delivery driver in Lake and Mendocino County, California, where he worked for over 30 years.
Clayton's quick wit and funny sense of humor brought smiles to everyone around him; it brought him great joy to tell everyone he was a ‘professional gas-passer.’
Clayton is survived by his sister, Judie Davis; daughter, Candace (Larry) Griffin; son, Shane (Leia) Smethurst; two nephews; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his longtime partner, Lola.
He will be dearly missed but forever remembered for his laughter, kindness, and dedication to his family and country.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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