Obits
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.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
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.
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
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 .
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
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