Dennis Richard Bender July 11, 1949 — Jan. 26, 2022
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”— Gandhi
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Dennis Richard Bender found himself consistently by losing himself serving as many people as possible.
Born at Mercy Hospital in Sacramento in July 1949, he graduated from Grant High School in 1957 and served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1972.
He continued to follow his servant heart as a carpenter and later a general contractor where building homes and remodeling existing housing was his way to improve the lives around him.
After moving to New York in 2001, he returned to Clearlake Oaks, California, in 2016 to be closer to his three sons, Douglas, Daniel and David, his eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Clear Lake provided the backdrop for Dennis’s enjoyment of fishing with his sons, and tournament fishing with his eldest son, Doug.
Dennis lived his life in deep commitment to Jesus Christ, which empowered his ability to bless all who crossed his path.
You may have met Dennis on the docks of Clear Lake, where he worked as a quagga mussel inspector and ramp monitor since 2018.
If you have met Dennis, you knew beyond a doubt that he was honest, reliable, and a pleasure to be around — unless you were a fish, that is. As a fish, you knew you couldn’t escape his hook forever. Dennis embodied the quote, “It is better to sit in a boat thinking about God, then to sit in a church thinking about fishing.”
It is with a sad yet hopeful heart that we say, “till we meet again” to Dennis Bender. As a Christian family we are assured to see Dennis once more as he has returned home with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in the afterlife by his father Richard Bender (1994), his mother Hilda Bender (1992), and his sister Marlene Kilponene (1988).
A celebration of a life well spent will be held at Grace Church, 6716 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville, on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Dana Parker Obermeyer. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Dana Parker Obermeyer, age 74, of Glenhaven, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2022, in the care of Sutter Lakeside Hospital ER with her beloved husband Dan at her side.
Dana worked hard for 10 years battling a rare autoimmune disease.
Dana leaves behind her husband of 17 years and love of her life, Dan Obermeyer; stepdaughter, Lisa (Dan) Currier; grandson, Stan Currier; sister, Leslie (Bob) Rumfelt; niece, Amy Rumfelt; niece, Melanie (Paul) Brown and family; nephew, Ron (Samantha) Rumfelt and family; and many cousins.
Special friends include Patsy Thorburn, Cathy Wilson and Melody DeLeon, and the Fourth of July group including Susan and Dan, Robin and Vonn.
Dana was preceded in death by her father Frank Parker in 1961, and mother Lucille Parker Walker in 1994.
Dana was born Aug. 17, 1947, in Oakland, California, to Frank and Lucille Parker. They lived in San Pablo at that time. Dana attended schools in the San Pablo/Richmond area through her sophomore year of high school.
In 1963 Dana and her mother and sister moved to the family vacation home in Clearlake Oaks where she graduated from Lower Lake Union High School in 1965.
After graduation she became the school secretary at Lower Lake Union High School, and later became district secretary for the Konocti Unified School District where she worked for several years.
Dana was married to Carl Burton Jr. before his deployment to Vietnam. They lived in Clearlake Oaks. This marriage lasted 10 years. They have remained friends.
Dana briefly lived in Napa, moved to Redding where she lived for eight years, then moved back to Lake County where she remained.
Her last job was partnering with Jeff Lucas to run Community Development Services for approximately 30 years to assist local businesses and local governments to obtain small business loans and grants and create jobs. She retired in approximately 2012.
In 2005, Dana and Dan got married and went on to build a lovely house in Glenhaven with a great view, where they lived for their entire marriage.
In 2006, Glenhaven was in need of a water master, so Dana took the schooling and training needed and passed her exam for water master. She and Dan have worked closely with the Glenhaven Mutual Water Co. and the Glenhaven community for many years.
In her healthy years Dana was always full of energy and on the go. She and Dan enjoyed hiking, camping and traveling. Her favorite area was Mt. Lassen, camping at Hat Creek, visiting Burney Falls and hiking to Lake Britton.
Early in their marriage D & D (as they were known) bought a truck and fifth wheel RV in 2003 and traveled the Western U.S. for many great adventures until Dana’s health prevented this.
Several years ago Dana prompted Dan to finish restoring a 1929 Model A. They enjoyed touring with the Lake County A’s for several years.
When Dana was 40, she and friends Susan, Robin and Vonn began annual girls’ trips to Pelican House in Bodega Bay in the spring, and Sardine Lake in the fall which were very special times.
Dana and Dan enjoyed years of inviting neighbors together for dinners in their home. Dana had a great big heart and was always willing to help others.
A celebration of Dana’s life is planned for the beginning of summer as she so loved summers.
Michael Willingham. Courtesy photo. Michael Brian Willingham Feb. 21, 1954 — Jan. 27, 2022
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Michael Brian Willingham of Lakeport passed peacefully in his home Jan. 27, 2022.
As he goes to join all those that passed before him in heavenly glory he leaves behind his mother, Roberta Christensen; his two sisters, Linda Moyers and Lori Wagner; his two children, Marcie Willingham-Burke and Ian Willingham; and his five grandchildren, Kayla, Cobe, Bailey, Iryss and Archer.
Michael was born in San Francisco, California, to Daryl and Roberta Willingham.
While he grew into a young man, he developed a close bond with his cousin Richard Lenormand; they would remain very close throughout his whole life.
Michael excelled in sports at Serra High School, playing football, basketball and baseball. Wearing an old pair of Converse, he broke the state high jump record his first time trying it, which made newspaper headlines at the time.
After high school he worked in the San Francisco nightclub scene as a bouncer briefly before joining the US Air Force and becoming a crew chief.
It was while stationed in England that Michael would find his true calling by giving his heart to Christ.
He also met Ruth Grant, with whom he would marry and have his two children.
After his service to the country in the Air Force, Michael attended Trinity Bible College where he would become an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He worked as a youth pastor at Trinity Church sharing his love of Christ and developing his gifts as a minister.
It was then that Michael felt called back to England. Following the Lord’s leading, he packed up his family and set off. While times were not easy for him in England, a light was cultivated inside him there that would shine brightly for the rest of his days.
Upon returning to the United States Michael would take the role of pastor, leading the congregation at Lakeport Christian Center. Over his time there he was instrumental in bringing many souls to Christ by sharing his love for Jesus and the bibles teachings with countless people.
After his time in Lakeport he moved to San Diego. He took a job as a lot manager at Encinitas Ford and quickly excelled to a top performer at the dealership.
It was during this time that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the throat. Undeterred by this diagnosis, Michael would go on to beat the bleakest odds, coupled with a divorce, and survive.
Michael would return to Lakeport with Richard Lenormand where he would continue to minister until his passing.
It’s impossible to overstate the impact Michael Willingham had on this world through his ministry, generosity and kindness. All who knew him loved him and had a great story with him. He will be deeply missed.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at Lakeport Christian Center, 455 S. Forbes St., and at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the National Cemetery of Sacramento, 5810 Midway Road in Dixon.
Vonda Brown. Courtesy photo. Vonda Loraine Brown Dec. 31, 1954 to Feb. 4, 2022
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our beloved daughter and sister passed on to Our Lord Jesus Christ on Feb. 4, 2022, at 11:20 p.m.
Vonda was a unique soul, and loved by all her family and friends.
She is survived by her mother, Freddie Brown; brother, Fred Brown and wife, Jaynie; brother, Jon Brown and sister-in-law, Merry Brown; her dear friend, Karen Jones; and nieces and nephews, Clinton Brown, Cody Brown, Courtney Eberhardt, Lexi Toy and Tucker Brown.
Preceding her in death were her father Roy Brown and brother Nathan (Nate) Brown.
There will be a graveside service for Vonda on Saturday, Feb 12, at 10 a.m. at the East Line Street Cemetery in Bishop, California, where she will be laid to rest beside Nathan. Reception to follow.
Vonda will be missed with broken hearts every day.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Kjellaug Lieb. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Kjellaug Hjelvik Lieb (Jan. 17, 1938 to Jan. 20, 2022) passed away peacefully at her home.
Kjellaug, affectionately known as Molla, was one of six children born on the family farm in Vågstranda, Norway.
Before emigrating to America, Kjellaug worked as a nanny in Oslo, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden.
At the age of 19, she and a friend sailed to New York City on the Queen Elizabeth II. After returning to Norway, she found herself missing New York City, so she applied for an immigrant visa.
Upon her return to the US, she worked as a nanny in New York City, before being offered employment as a fashion model.
Kjellaug's fashion modeling soon led to some small acting parts in “Requiem For a Heavyweight,” “Car 54 — Where Are You?” and “Naked City.” Before long, she became a regular at Studio 54. She also made many friends in the UN diplomatic community and enjoyed attending many galas.
It was in New York City where she met her husband, Joseph Charles Lieb, a Madison Avenue advertising executive. They soon married and, in 1963, Kjellaug gave birth to fraternal twin boys.
Eventually the family moved to Southern California, where Joe ran his own Beverly Hills advertising agency while Kjellaug worked as a full-time mother. Joe’s advertising work took the family to the Northeast for four brief years before the family returned to Southern California, and then, one year later, the family relocated to Lake County, California.
Kjellaug joined Buckingham Realty as a salesperson in 1977, which led to her earning her broker’s license. In 1980, Kjellaug and Joe bought Buckingham Realty. Due in large part to Kjellaug’s boundless energy, ambition and tenacity, the business flourished.
During her 43 years in real estate, Kjellaug was one of Lake County's top Realtors. She was a long-standing member of the Lake County Association of Realtors and her knowledge and professionalism brought Buckingham Realty much business and accolades.
Described by some in the community as “a powerhouse of real estate,” she was also known for her thoughtful acts of kindness, often leaving bottles of wine and gift baskets for clients in their new homes.
Over the decades, she not only helped many people achieve the dream of homeownership, but she also helped people make those houses feel like home.
She retired in 2019 at age 81 and devoted herself to her beloved house and garden. Kjellaug enjoyed cooking (she was superb), country line dancing and following the latest fashions.
She will be remembered for the kindness and hospitality she showed family and friends near and far.
Kjellaug, daughter of Tordis Agnete and Knut Knutsen Hjelvik, widow of Joseph Charles Lieb, is survived by her two sons, Jonathan and Michael, her daughter-in-law, Maggie, and her siblings, Alf, Trygve and Reidun, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
At Kjellaug's request there will be no funeral or memorial service. Her ashes will be returned to her birthplace in Hjelvika, Norway.
Anyone wanting to send their condolences may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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