Obits
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Brett Behrens, 46, of Clearlake, Calif, left the life, family and friends that he loved on Dec. 18, 2008, and continued on to a better place where the limitations that bound him on earth can no longer restrain him from the dreams and ambitions he strived for.
He was born in Lakeport, Calif., on June 29, 1962, to Hugo and Willa Mae Behrens.
Brett was a longtime resident of Lake County. He graduated from Lakeport High School in 1980 where he made lifelong friends, was active in sports – his favorite being tennis – and voted most spirited for his graduating class. He then went on to Arizona State University where he received a bachelor of arts degree in communications.
Brett’s biggest passion in life was photography which he had done for over 20 years until his eyesight recently failed him.
During those years as a photojournalist, he photographed everyone from the King of Sweden to Joe Montana and events such as the 1984 Summer Olympic Games and the Democratic National Convention.
In addition to working and contributing to many newspapers and publications such as the Associated Press, www.lakeconews.com, Lake County Record-Bee and Ukiah Daily Journal, Brett also owned his own portrait photography studio in Lakeport and then in Ukiah.
Brett was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, working as the advancement chair for the Lake District. He organized the district Web site and helped to organized and start two Boy Scout units within the county. He also played a very active role in the Clearlake Pack No. 144 and Troop No. 44.
He leaves behind his fiancée Peggy Engstrom, son Cody Engstrom, daughter-in law Kim Engstrom, his new grandson Logan Michael Engstrom, future mother-in-law Mignon Perry and many, many friends.
Brett lived everyday of his life to the fullest and truly knew how precious life was and how the little things that most people take for granted are the true blessings. He considered the life he was living as his “Second Life,” not a life that he had expected, not one that was fair and one that many times could be cruel, but nevertheless the one he was dealt and the one he would make the best out of.
He was truly and inspiration and everyone he knew will truly miss him.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the Ukiah and Lake County Davita Dialysis Centers which always treated Brett with love and respect; the St. Helena Hospital Clearlake Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, whose care and support helped not only before Brett’s death but after; and to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and LCCOA for their support following Brett’s death.
A memorial will be held for Brett in May 2009; details will run in the local newspapers.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that family and friends bring plants or seeds to the memorial.
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George was born May 29, 1922, in New York. His family moved to San Francisco when he was 3 years old.
After high school, George served with the Seabees in the US Navy during World War II and later relocated to Santa Rosa. He worked at Sonoma State University where he met his wife, Irma.
After George and Irma both retired, they moved to Hidden Valley Lake where he enjoyed fishing, golfing, RV-ing with friends and traveling to craft fairs, where they sold their handmade crafts.
George and Irma moved back to Santa Rosa in 2004 to be closer to their family. After 28 years of marriage, Irma passed away on Nov. 8, 2007.
George will be dearly missed by his sister, Anna (Ted); brothers, Mervyn (Beth) and Donald (Fumi); his son Bob; his daughter JoRene (Craig) and his stepchildren, Gene (Sidney), John (Tara) Kathy, Liz (Mark), Mike, Debbie (Jon), Dennis (Marnie), Allyson (Steve) and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, 11 a.m., at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Franklin Avenue. Donations may be made to Sutter Hospice in George and Irma's names.
Our family would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to John and Tara Schallert for all their loving care for our dear Georgie-Porgie.
Arrangements handled by Santa Rosa Mortuary Eggen and Lance Chapel.
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Donald Gene Brice was born on Aug. 5, 1929, in Cove, Ark., and passed away peacefully at his home in Chino Hills, Calif., on Oct. 25, 2008.
He attended California’s Burbank High School and graduated from Sonora High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-58 stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco. 
He ran his business, Brice Engineering, from 1967 and continued to work in the machining business until he retired in the spring 2008. His son, Keith, continues to run Brice Engineering in Lakeport.
Don was an accomplished machinist and innovator. He was introduced to water ski racing in the late 1950s and hand-built his first ski race boat, an 18-foot Rayson Craft named “Goosebumps,” in 1961.
During this period in his life, Don was actively involved with working on the Offenhaeuser powered Novi Indy Car Team and was partially responsible for the success of Lee Taylor’s “Hustler” jet boat world record run of 286.875 miles per hour, as Don personally installed the throttle mechanisms for this achievement.
He was also instrumental in introducing the late great Ray Caselli, blown fuel flat bottom icon and close personal friend, to drag boat racing in the early sixties. Another key achievement around this time, was building the first prototype Arneson pool sweep units for inventor Howard Arneson of San Rafael, Calif.
Don had a passion for motor sports and was an accomplished drag boat racer with the National Drag Boat Racing Association in conjunction with becoming a National Champion boat racer and elected official and founding member of the National Speedboat and Water Ski Racing Association. He served on the board of directors as a Commodore for many ski racing organizations. He loved dirt bike riding, driving his dune buggies and, in more recent years, enjoyed piloting his Seadoo as well as his golf cart with his two dogs on board. He was also a member of the Long Beach, Los Angeles and Marina boat and ski clubs.
Don and his family have vacationed and competed in ski racing events in Lakeport since the early 1960s. He loved Lakeport and all the many friends he made here.
He is survived by his loving companion of 32 years, Judith Cotner, of Chino Hills, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Dawna Brice of Lakeport, Calif.; daughter, Susan Rasmussen of South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; daughter, Cristy Brice of Lucerne, Calif.; stepdaughters and sons-in-laws, Rhonda and Gary Hardasty of Chino Hills, Michelle and Phil Kramer of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Melissa and Paul Rivera of Yorba Linda; grandchildren, Shiloh and Kura Brice, Ryan and Sarah Rasmussen, Jason Kramer and Amy King, Jeremy and Amanda Hardasty, and Lauren, Michelle, Crystal, Valerie and Jordan Rivera; great-grandchildren, Emily and Kayla, as well as many nieces and nephews and other family relatives including brother-in-law, Jeff Young of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by ex-wife Joanie Brice, and mother and stepfather, Effie and Paul Piltz of Big Oak Flat, Calif.
Family services will be held in the spring of 2009 at Lake Havasu Landing where Don and Judy had a second home. They both had many friends and cherished memories there.
Family and friends have decided to purchase a lamp post in downtown Lakeport.
Donations can be made to the “Don Brice Memorial Lamp Post Fund” at Savings Bank of Mendocino County, P.O. Box 156, Lakeport, CA 95453.
Don has the “pole position” secured at the newly dedicated “boat racer alley” on First Street next to Library Park in Lakeport.
“Big Daddy Don” will always live on in our hearts.
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