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03/01/19 01:17 PM #5121    

Bill Duncan (1962)


03/01/19 09:40 PM #5122    

 

Vern Larson (1960)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lowell A. Jahn        R.I.P.          WHS 1940


03/02/19 04:16 PM #5123    

Monte McCray (1966)

My brother in law worked at the golf course on rd 102 cutting the greens. He stated the course didn;t go out of business, They just sold the property because the developers offered them so much money they would of been foolish not to sell.


03/03/19 10:28 AM #5124    

 

Melanie McKinzie-Petersen (Rued) (1967)

Two different stories. Oh well. Hi Monte!!


03/03/19 10:51 AM #5125    

Monte McCray (1966)

`who ever owned it i suppose?


03/04/19 09:49 AM #5126    

Paul F. Aoki (1967)

I see posts about classmates our age passing away. What are you you doing to stay healthful?  I quit smoking ten years ago, I visit my doctor annually for checkups, I take medication daily, I exercise an hour 4-5 times a week, including some golf, and I lean new things to keep my brain working  I don't drink anymore, but I haven't given up caffeine  I'm trying to get my diet under control to prevent diabetes (track A1-c)  It's a daily battle, but maintaining health adds to the quality of life  

 

 


03/04/19 11:36 AM #5127    

Monte McCray (1966)

Hi Mel, love ya.


03/04/19 12:06 PM #5128    

 

Joel Childers (1966)

#1. I quit smoking 30 years ago. #2.  My meat intake is about one third what it would be if I hadn't married my vegetarian second wife. #3. I'm not giving up beer. Beer is food, just don't overdo it. #4. 3 days a week, I peddle a bike at the YMCA while watching The Price Is Right and then dive into the pool for a nice swim. We have people that are morbidly obese, have crippling arthritis or are wheelchair-bound using the pool; so no excuses. The "Y" makes a point of accomodating everybody. And you can swim even if it's 16 degrees outside (like it is right now in Spokane Valley.) To your health.


03/09/19 12:42 PM #5129    

Robert Cowing (1965)

    

John William Armus, 93, passed peacefully on Feb. 24. John was born in Woodland on June 7, 1925.

John was a veteran in the US Army, serving during WWII with the artillery in Europe. After his service, he moved to Oakland, and worked at the Naval Air Base.

On Dec. 14, 1946 John married Carlie Akers and they enjoyed 72 years together. John and Carlie returned to Woodland in 1953. He worked for Marks Meat Company and then for UCD working in viticulture until his retirement in 1988.

John belonged to the Shriners, and enjoyed travel, golf and dancing with his wife. John is survived by his wife, Carlie; son, John (WHS 1966) spouse - (Sharon (WHS 1964) Armus , and daughter, Judy (David) Smith; grandchildren, David (Christine) Smith, Austen (Lisa) Armus, and Martha (Travis) Miller; great grandchildren, Shelby (Victoria) Smith, Ryan Smith, Beth Smith, Jacquelyn Armus, HarrisonArmus, Redmond Blaschek-Miller, Vivian Blaschek-Miller, and great great grandson, Calvin Smith.

Memorial service will be Tuesday, March 12, at the Woodland Christian Church, 509 College St., at 11 a.m.Memorial donations may be made to St. Judes.
Published in Daily Democrat from Mar. 9 to Mar. 12, 2019


03/10/19 09:48 AM #5130    

Norma Berrettoni (Plocher) (1966)

To John Armus and your family - my condolences to you on the loss of your father.  


03/10/19 11:35 AM #5131    

 

Mahala O'Brien (Wegener) (1964)

To the Armus family, my condolences and love! Mahala


03/10/19 11:37 PM #5132    

 

Charlotte Apodaca (Lucero) (1961)

March 10, 2019

In response to Paul Aoki's question: what are we doing to stay active:   

Some time ago: Vern Larson has asked me to share my experience of walking the Camino del Compostela (Portugal/Spain).  Vern asked me on three separate occasions to share this journey.  I learned many years ago – when asked three times – it might be meaningful to others.  What you will find is a brief background as to why I enjoy traveling and seeing the world up close and personal. The Camino del Compostela was an experience like no other I have ever had.  Vern, thank you for encouraging me to write this story; and thank you, Paul, for asking the question of each of us.  Staying busy and active is the gift we all can give ourselves before we go on to Higher Ground-All part of life.

LIFE’s JOURNEY

Inspiration:

Before I give a narrative of what was a very deep spiritual experience for me - the Camino del Compostela.  I want to give a summary of why I love to travel and experience environments up close.  I have had the opportunity to live and work in developing countries, including growing up in our agricultural community of Yolo County. Where my family was part of the farm labor workforce. 

Some of you as classmates might recall a teacher at Dingle School (I don’t recall his name) at the beginning of each school year would call an assembly.  The assembly was held in that very large dark Dingle School Auditorium; with those hard-dark wooden seats that were flanked with decorative black rod iron arms and legs.  While I don’t recall the teacher’s name nor the grade level he taught – he would present a slide show of his summer travels; he made traveling seem like the most exciting thing anyone could experience.  He would talk about the people, the food, the landscape, the art, and the importance of learning geography and history of all parts of the world.  It could be that there were only a few of these assemblies – but I was taken by the idea of travel and the world unknown to me as a daughter of farm workers. 

My parents encouraged the loved of personal heritage, Spanish language, world history, and geography.  Both of my parents would say there is a big world to be explored – they encouraged determination to dream and have personal goals we hoped to accomplish in our lives. My father never allowed us to say the phrase (I can’t); he believed his children could and would accomplish anything they set their minds to.  With the inspiration of those school assembly’s and my family’s encouragement, my goals were – education for myself and any future children I would bring into the world, and a goal to step on every continent before I go on to higher ground. 

While there have been many detours along the journey of my life: my goals were always steadfast and step-by-step to date my educational goals for myself and my children have been accomplished, and I have stepped on five continents – Africa and the Antarctic are yet to be visited.  (I am proud to note in this narrative that Rudy, myself and three children are UC Davis graduates, and one child graduated from UC San Diego).

My opportunities for travel include living in Mexico over a period of three years when Rudy was overseeing a project for his company. After I graduated from UC Davis and became a retired person of the same institution; I applied and was accepted into Peace Corps Ecuador at age sixty.  These experiences strengthen my beliefs in a universal power that guides us all – if we trust and have faith in the unknown; all things can be manifested into realities.  It is because of my faith and trust that I have lived with a powerful desire to experience cultures, customs, and how people live around the world: as well as being a person of service abroad and locally.  A lot has transpired over the course of my life – some very challenging times; and some very exciting experiences that only come from being persistent and looking at the glass half-full; life is not perfect; but, life is good and I am a blessed woman.

SUMMER 2017

The Camino del Compostela walk is one of the many desired experiences - I have been fortunate to experience and a life benefactor.  The history of the Camino is tied to Saint James, also known as the Way of Saint James.  The Way is a spiritual pilgrimage that an average of 300,000 pilgrims walk each year.  There are several routes one can take; the goal is to plan a walk that brings peace and tranquility – regardless of the trek.  People from all over the world have walked the “Way.”  For each of us, the walk has a different purpose. On our “Way!” we met people from every country, except for North Korea.  Just, being able to say, “accomplishing the Way” was a personal and emotional experience. 

We (three generations) together walked the Portugal Way the summer of 2017 – my eldest daughter Katherine, two granddaughters (Roxanne and Meg), my son-in-law Matt; and my granddaughter Meg’s partner Shea. 

The six days, 129K (80 plus miles) walk was difficult in many respects, for the first few days we mostly walked up very steep mountainous paths.  Paths that included busy highways, crossing freeways, narrow bridges, rocky dry and wet creek beds, walking across lots of boulders, as well as walking through lots of beautiful vineyards. 

On the first day, we were full of energy and excitement of becoming part of the historical trek that individuals by the thousands from all walks-of-life, faiths, and nationalities before us have made.  As a Catholic, I felt, how hard could this be if Saint James and others of his time – walked in bare feet; maybe they had leather strapped sandals - who knows. The apostle Saint James is known as the pilgrim who begin what has now become the famous Camino de Compostela - “the way to Santiago,” founded in the IX Century after the discovery of the tomb of Saint James, over time it has become one of the three major cities of Christianity along with Jerusalem and Rome.

With my “faith” and “Catholic” background – I was set to enjoy a long, but mild terrain each day that we were now going to walk.  We were each well equipped with great boots, shoes, socks, clothing, water, snacks to eat along the way, and with our smartphones we could take photos along the path to journal, photos to share with family and friends at the end of each day’s experience; and our well-packed backpacks stored anything we “might” need along the journey – we were set, and off we went. (side note: I had practice walking in my “hiking boots – and had put over 250 miles which took about seven months walking around my community of Davis, before setting out for the Camino walk).

Our first day’s walk and the first-night stay was a spiritual challenge.

We started our 16-mile day’s walk in the town of Biaona, Spain. We set out at 7:40 in the morning: our walk for the day was going to be a 24K walk on our way to the community of Vigo; as it turned out – it was an expedition of mountain climbing; when you go up - there is then a time when you must come down.  The drop in some parts of the pathway was steep, and going down was challenging – “thank goodness for walking sticks.”  This first day was an awakening – with lots of questions – such as “why are we doing this.”  Our feet hurt, we were hot and sweaty, our packs seemed like they weighed a ton.  We talked about how we could get rid of some of the “stuff.”  Did I mention – our trek was not a tour – planned by a company – we like traveling on our own: planning, getting our “own” nights lodging, etc.  Those groups that travel via an arranged tour – have their packs driven to the next town – where beds and lodging are waiting at the end of the day (something I would highly recommend).

We, on the other hand, carried our packs, and each night googled for available lodging in the next town where we needed lodging for the next night; we also google vegan restaurants where we could eat lots of veggies, fruits, and for those who ate meat – could indulge in their meat fix. 

Day Two: Vigo to the Redondale community – a shorter 11 miles walk than the day before, and more climbing – steep mountains; with steep downhill challenges.  A skateboarder’s dream; the walk was beautiful, overlooking the coastline, and rural areas as well.  The path was well marked – lots of Camino shells, yellow arrows pointing the way – the arrows were found on the ground, sides of fence lines, electrical poles, and sides of latrines.  The “WAY” is well supported by the locals in every community.

At the end of the second day, we decided to send some of our weight to colleagues of my son-in-law who were living in San Sebastian Spain for the summer, and our ultimate destination.  San Sebastian was our focus where we would rest and recoup from the six-day Camino walk; the goal was to enjoy a lighter vacation with family and friends at the end of the walk for an additional three weeks.  We found a Correo – a type of FedEx – between the six of us, we sent four boxes off to San Sebastian. Our packs were now a little lighter.

Day Three to Day Six: Redondale to Santiago (the ultimate goal of the walk) – each day was tough – a lot of walking up and down - who planned this trip, anyway???  I must take full responsibility and admit I had placed a seed earlier in the year when we were planning our trip to Europe.  Wouldn’t it be fun to Walk the Comino del Compostella??? Being an Apodaca Lucero – one does not stop -just because there are uncomfortable moments.  And so, it went for the remaining days; up in the morning, full days of walking up and down mountains, and all types of terrains where we each experienced a different momentum in the walk of this Camino. Our feet hurt, the perspiration rolled off every part of our bodies, and water was a welcomed relief.  We would find our nights lodging; shower and slip into our beds as though we had never had the comforts of sheets and a place to lay our heads.

When we reached Santiago, it was a personal relief and a joyous moment – here I was a 74-year woman who just walked six days and over 80 miles.  I climbed mountains and maneuvered steep downhill paths, and can say “I did it” …  Standing in the square of Santiago with my daughter and granddaughters (three generations) this was a great accomplishment. I felt fulfilled, accomplished, and wondered how I would continue to be of service when I returned to the comforts of my home and community. 

Memories to be shared with family for generations.  For each of us, the walk was personal, rewarding, and an awakening to our individual spiritual growth – at the end of each day our feet hurt, blisters covered each toe and the balls of our feet; yet the next morning our feet with all the discomfort – were ready to carry us onto the next town and the final experience of Santiago de Compostela: THREE GENERATIONS WALKING TOGETHER - how awesome was that!!!!

Blessings to each of you and may your daily walk-of-life, be fulfilled with joy, love, and kindness.


03/11/19 06:36 AM #5133    

Miguel Michel (1966)

Sending my condolences to my good friend, John Armus, and his family. 

 


03/11/19 08:46 AM #5134    

Janet Long (Levers) (1966)

Charlotte Apodaca: what an inspiration your post was. I have thought how great it would be to walk "The Way", but you've done it! Maybe I'll get there yet. 


03/11/19 09:32 AM #5135    

 

Gail Smith (Maxwell) (1964)

Charlotte, what an inspiring story about your trek.  I have other friends who have done it and all were blown away by, not only the scenery and commraderie of the hikers but also the pure emotion of making the trip.  We have been to the north coast of Spain, visiting San Sebastian and Santander.  San Sebastian was by far our favorite city, overlooking the beautiful bay with such friendly people.  The food was pretty darn good too!

Thank you so much for sharing your story!

 


03/11/19 09:36 AM #5136    

 

Donald Daily (1961)

Charlotte

Thank you for posting your beautiful family story. You are amazing, You are the glue that keeps a family close. God bless you.

Don


03/11/19 11:22 AM #5137    

Melinda Leiser (1962)

 

..Charlotte, Your story of your walk is truly inspiring.  There were so many parts that were not only inspirational but feeling awed and so much praise for all three generations.  Back in high school did you ever think you would  ever have such an incredible experience?   That’s how I felt when I went to Cuba which was so memorable although not such a test of my will and strength as yours. What I felt most was truly humbled.

Thank you so much to sharing this wonderful experience! 

Melinda Leiser 


03/11/19 02:47 PM #5138    

 

Vern Larson (1960)

Thank you Charlotte for sharing the experiences you and your family had while accompishing the trek of the Camino del Compostela.  While you were making the trek I enjoyed following you and your family each evening on social media as you would post your daily activities along with photos. I was able to enjoy most everything you did...minus the blisters. You truly have an adventurist and spiritual personality. Thanks again for sharing a part of your life's journey with us. We are all now awaiting your travels to Antartica and Africa. 

God bless you and your family Charlotte!

 

 

 


03/17/19 03:44 PM #5139    

Robert Cowing (1965)

Gregory Knox Leiser of Knights Landing, CA, a farmer in the Sutter Basin, died Feb. 9, at the age of 70 years old.

Greg was born in Woodland, to Phil and Marietta Gillam Leiser.

Greg was very active with the Boy Scouts. He received his God and Country Award at the age of 13 and became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15. He also attended many Boy Scout Jamborees throughout the country. Greg graduated from Woodland High School in 1966, and he spent the summer of his junior year in Finland as an American Foreign Exchange Student. While attending the University of California at Davis, he spent his summers as a boatman guide for the Wilderness Expeditioners in the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River and all the other great rivers of the West. He was a daredevil on skis and in 1967 performed his famous Kangaroo Jump at Sugar Bowl by doing a backflip on skis. He was an avid photographer and an active member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Ag Science and Management, and Renewable Natural Resources.

After graduation he returned to work on the family farm. In 1972, Greg met Mary MacLeod, who came from Boston to work in California, and they were married in 1973. By 1973 he had taken over the family farming operation, incorporating as Greg Leiser Farms. In 1981 they moved to Knights Landing from Davis, with their young son, Peter. Greg was past director of the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation; past director of the California Gourd Society; long time member of the Sutter Basin Growers Co-Op, and member of the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau. Known for his innovative approach to farming and his willingness to experiment with new techniques, he won the California Jaycee's Outstanding Young Farmer Award, Top Farmers of America Association Award, an award from the California Gourd Society.

Family time included camping in Baja CA, Oregon, and the family land in Idaho. In the late 1960's between river trips on the Snake River, Salmon River and Colorado River he built a Finnish style sauna on the land in Idaho that is still standing. Greg also enjoyed family ski trips to the Sierras and windsurfing with his son Peter, with whom he would windsurf around Northern California, Oregon and Idaho.  In addition to growing rice, wheat, corn, pumpkins and sweet corn, he took particular delight in growing 25 acres of hard shell gourds. The farm became a destination for gourd artists and musicians from all over the continental United States, Hawaii and Canada. Greg and Mary started an annual Gourd Art Festival that was attended by artists, musicians, vendors and collectors from all over the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Greg is survived by his wife and partner, Mary MacLeod Leiser, with whom he celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on July 15, 2018. He is also survived by their son, Peter Leiser, his wife, Janice Parmar, and grandson, Killian. His brothers-in-law include, Jimmy, David, Charlie, and Peter MacLeod, and Cap Thomson; sisters-in-law, Helen MacLeod Thomson, Audrey MacLeod Pfeiffer, Camilla MacPhee; cousins, Clairelee Leiser Bulkley (WHS), Malcolm Leiser (WHS) and Melilnda Leiser (WHS 1962), and two dozen nieces and nephews. Greg was predeceased by his parents; brother, Fred (WHS), and his sister, Pam Stockton (WHS 1964).

The family would like to express their gratitude for the outstanding care he received from Sutter Health, Sutter Home Health and Hospice, and Carlton Senior Plaza Memory Care in Davis. Donations in his memory can be made in Greg's name to the Knights Landing Community United Methodist Church Building Fund.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 23, at 11 a.m., at the Knights Landing Community United Methodist Church, 9493 Mill St., Knights Landing.

Published in Daily Democrat from Mar. 17 to Mar. 23, 2019


03/17/19 03:51 PM #5140    

Robert Cowing (1965)

                    

Ben Carr, 89, passed away from complications due to a fall.

A 1947 graduate of Woodland High, he frequently said he had lived a wonderful life, and looked forward to being reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife of 54 years, Dobby.

They had traveled much of the world during his 20 years of service to the US Air Force, and lived in several states while employed with the US Postal Service.

After retirement, Ben and Dobby made their home in Arizona where they pursued their many interests in archaeology, model railroading, photography, astronomy, travel and history. After Dobby's death in 2004, Ben returned to the Auburn area to be near family.

He became a Placer County Museum Docent, and formed new friendships at Auburn Grace Church. More recently he moved to Woodland to be a companion to his nephew, Steven Taylor (WHS 1967), a Vietnam veteran, and became involved with the Woodland Museum of Biblical Archaeology. His love of travel never waned, and in recent years he had traveled to China, Australia, Europe and Russia, South America, the Caribbean, Jordan and Israel.

Ben is survived by adoring nieces and nephews whom he referred to as his children. A memorial service with full military honors will be held Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m., at Woodland United Fellowship, 240 N. West St.


03/19/19 12:59 PM #5141    

 

Joel Childers (1966)

Attention baseball fans. Believe it or not, the 2019 major league baseball season opening game will be played tomorrow, March 20, between the Oakland A's and Seattle Mariners in Tokyo, Japan. It's on ESPN around 3 AM here in Washington and I presume in N. Calif and other markets if you care to set your recorder tonight. I mentioned back at the beginning of spring training that a kid from Woodland, CA named Braden Bishop, was called up from the minors to join the Mariners. I was keeping my fingers crossed, and low and behold, he made the team and will play the opener in Tokyo. As an added bonus, 45 year old Ichiro will also be playing for the Mariners in what will probably be his last few major league games.


03/21/19 10:35 AM #5142    

Robert Cowing (1965)

         

Janine Hevel Eaton passed away peacefully the morning of March 13, 2019 with family by her side. She was just 11 days shy of her 90th birthday.

Janine was a proud third generation Californian. She was born Doris Janine Hevel in Woodland, CA to Lowell Holloway Hevel and Helen Moe Hevel on March 24, 1929.

She attended Spring Lake School House, a one-room country school house, from 1st through 8th grade, and graduated from Woodland High School in 1947. It was during high school that she met and started dating Edmond "Pep" Eaton. Janine and Pep were married in 1948. Together, they created a happy life in Woodland and raised their family. They were married for 44 years until Pep's passing in 1992.

In addition to Pep, Janine was preceded in death by her parents, Lowell and Helen Hevel; sisters, Shirley Hevel and Donna Flynn; brothers, Norman Hevel and Robert Hevel.Janine is survived by her three daughters, Wanda Mast (WHS 1969) (Nathanael), Martha O'Donnell (Joseph) and Janet Kappes (Kurt). She was the very proud grandmother of six grandchildren, Joshua Mast (Vanessa), Caitlyn Mast, Brendan O'Donnell (Erin), Anne Megaro (John), Colleen Leveck (Mark), and Emily Kappes, as well as loving great-grandmother to nine. Janine is also survived by her dear sister, Dorothy Findley (Robert), and by numerous nieces and nephews.Janine loved the spring and all of the promise it held.

She loved to garden, and spent much of her time tending her garden. She loved to sew. She loved to cook and host family gatherings. But most of all, she loved her family. She was shy, kind, loyal, funny, compassionate, strong and independent. She was the matriarch of the family and her family will be her proud legacy. She will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. John's Retirement Village - Manor East for their compassionate care the last few years, and also the doctors and nurses with Dignity Health Mercy Hospice for allowing Janine to live comfortably her last few months. The family would also like to thank Sara Quinones and Kathy Csaposs for their diligent care and for their kindness towards Janine in her later years.Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m., on Friday, April 5, at St. James Catholic Church in Davis, CA. Interment will be at Monument Hill next to her husband, Pep. In lieu of flowers or donations, please honor Janine by striving to live a life of kindness and gratitude.
Published in Daily Democrat from Mar. 21 to Apr. 5, 2019


03/22/19 10:25 AM #5143    

Tony Moddesette (1963)

Jeezz! Thie has turned into an OB page!


03/22/19 12:25 PM #5144    

 

Joel Childers (1966)

Tony Modesette (sorry if I messed up the spelling), I agree with you. I'm sure most of us do not want this to be only obits. So Tony and others of you who would like to see more Woodland nostalgia and memories, life after WHS,  and general what - where - how are you doing now, by all means, contribute to the forum. Nobody can tell it like those who lived it. I lived in Woodland for my first 20 years, and no place on Earth is more etched in my memory and my dreams (and occasional nightmares - LOL). Remember kindergarten? For me it was Maxwell School - Mrs. Gunther - graham crackers and milk - fingerpainting - and chewing on sourgrass on the walk home. Henrietta Toothacher (great name) was our music teacher in 1st and 2nd grade. Then I played drums in the band under Mr. Gordon Friday. I'm glad music got into my soul. I still play my Yamaha DGX660 electronic keyboard at least an hour every day. I'll never get tired of it. That and swimming at the Y keep me alive.


03/22/19 08:30 PM #5145    

 

Don Murdoch (1962)

I agree on too many obits. How about fun stuff, not sad stuff.  Obits only for Classes of 60-69.  That's what this forum is about, right?


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