CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Margaret Thomas Connor peacefully went home to our Lord Dec. 4, 2014, while in the loving care of the angels at Orchard Park Assisted Living in Clearlake.

She was born in Canon City, Colorado, on April 19, 1922, and moved to Southern California at the age of 2.

She met and married her husband of 52 years, Charles Connor, while working at Pacific Aeromotive as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II. They started a family and raised two daughters and settled in Glendora, Calif.

The Connors started spending their summers at Clear Lake in Northern California in 1952 and retired there in 1974.

Margaret was a very active member of the Lake County Historical Society, and the co-founder of the Lake County Redbud Audubon Society, which she started in her living room.

She was an accomplished organist and was active, not only in her organ club, but also in the Sweet Adeline's singing group.

She loved to fish, camp, tend her yard and enjoyed wood working and the outdoors. She started painting in the 1970s and did so for many years.

Margaret is survived by her two loving daughters, Charlotte Connor of Glendora and Peg McCown and her husband Don McCown of Lakeport.

Memorial services will be announced.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Elizabeth Springer
July 14, 1924 – Nov. 29, 2014

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Elizabeth Evelyn Pfister Springer was born July 14, 1924, in Voci, Okla., the first of two children of Christopher and Artie Missy Pfister.

Her father owned one of the most successful farms in the area, growing many crops and employing farmhands in whose lives and families he took great interest.

A very young Elizabeth was often scolded for following behind the plow pulled by oxen too closely.

She adored her father, who died when she was still a child. Yet her mother was remarkable and provided food and guidance her entire life.

Years later, under the cloud of the Great Depression and devastation of the “Dust Bowl” winds, the extended family moved to California, feather beds and all! Their strength was derived from their strong family bonds. It was much of the story portrayed in The Grapes of Wrath.

Elizabeth attended high school in Tulare. She was an excellent student which led to a life of continued learning and respect of education.

Elizabeth eventually met Jack, beginning a marriage that lasted 68 wonderful years and produced three frisky sons.

After the war the family moved to Eureka, then in 1952, to a ranch in Kelseyville, the town she called home the remainder of her life.

She worked with Jack in all facets, from chasing cattle home that always found the hole in the fence, to producing legal documents in their appraisal and real estate businesses.

Also a homemaker, Elizabeth served as den mother among many other roles, and helped in her sons' classrooms on holidays while taking interest in what they studied.

A source of pride, besides her children, was that she served on the governing board of the Kelseyville School Board as it became unified, passed crucial bonds, and embarked on a master building plan that demolished the old and produced the two beautiful main buildings that still grace the elementary and high schools, while taking an active interest in the lives of all the students that attended them.

She loved the students! Much time and effort was spent on these endeavors by board members, school administrators and community leaders.

Elizabeth spoke with humble pride at what was accomplished, a legacy to all those who had a vision.

She also was an active member of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church and considered the members her second family.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Stephen; and grandson, Kenneth.

She is survived by sons, Randall (Virginia) and Daniel (Barbara); grandson, Richard (Brenda); granddaughters, Claire and Stephanie; and great-granddaughter, Kimberly – all Springers.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, at 11:30 a.m., a luncheon will be served at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church followed with a memorial service at 12:30 p.m.

The family prefers donations in her memory to the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St., Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Private interment will take place at Kelseyville Cemetery.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – After a five-year battle to recover from a stroke, Marthe DiGiovanna Lanza finally went home to the Lord at 1:31 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at her home in Kelseyville. She was 88 years old.

Marthe was a French war bride, married her husband GI Joe (a Normandy invader) in Paris.

Aside from her love of family, especially her four children, she had a passion for dressmaking. She worked as a seamstress at a factory until she was able to open her own bridal shoppe. She was gifted in designing, pattern making, beading, and creating that special dress. She took pride in being able to make every bride into the most beautiful princess.

Later she tried other creative arts. She was gifted at crochet, knitting and macramé. She took art classes and was gifted at drawing, water color and oil painting. She made something beautiful out of everything she touched.

Marthe moved to Lake County in 1988. She was an active member of a singles club, followed the dance route for the seniors around the lake, was an active Christian at Lakeport Christian Center, loved the Lord and it showed in her constant smile, sweet loving attitude and giving heart.

She was a longtime member of TOPS, a group that continued to support her after her stroke with cards and letters.

Her oldest son Denis went on before her but she is survived by her sister, Charlette, who always made her laugh till she wet her pants; her remaining three children, Tina of Kelseyville, Joseph of St. George, Utah, and Michael of Glendora, Calif.; along with daughters-in-law whom she loved; 17 grandchildren; and multiple great-grandchildren.

She was loved by many and will be missed by more. Sing on Mom … and keep on dancing!

We will be celebrating your life at a memorial in January ... we love you Mom.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Crystal Aline Mitchell
1961-2014

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Crystal Aline Mitchell was born on April 7, 1961, and passed away Dec. 1, 2014 at the age of 53. 

She is survived by her siblings, Eugene Mitchell (Marie Frease), Jackie, Emmeline, Lavonna and Sandra Mitchell; children, Christen, Mike, Sanchez, Cherish and Starr Mitchell; grandson, Corey; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

She also is survived by her aunts, Gertrude Lazano, Inez Sands, Pauline Mitchell, Inez Mitchell and Judy Whiterock; uncles, James Sanders, Mick Sanders, Elmer Mitchell and Eddie Mitchell; and nieces, Leticia Frease and Crystal A. Mitchell, who was named after her.

Crystal is predeceased by her parents, Dubert and Severine Mitchell, and siblings, Dennis, Cheryl and Johnny Mitchell.

Visitation will start at Robinson Rancheria gym at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5. A rosary service will be held there at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, along with an all-night wake.

The last viewing will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, followed by a graveside funeral service at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport at 1 p.m.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

Please share your memories by signing the guest book at www.legacy.com .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Brenda Joy Moore of Corning died Sunday, November 23, 2014, at home surrounded by loved ones after a long struggle with breast cancer.

She was born in Bend, Ore., on March 5, 1940, to Frank and Vivian Ward.

She married her high school sweetheart Terrence L. Moore on Dec. 2, 1956. She and Terry moved to Corning in1987. Her home was always open to anyone who needed her.

She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, aunt, grandmother and friend. She was a waitress for many years and then a Realtor, where she sold a million dollars worth of real estate in one year!

She was a member of TOPS, Elk Creek High School Booster Club, the Red Cross, American Legion, Christian Foreign exchange student program and past president of the Middletown Cemetery Board.

She served as president of local TOPS 1711 for many years. She loved teapots. Anyone who had been to her home knew it. She had more than 1,000 of them.

She is survived by her mother, 101-year-old Vivian Ward of Redding; her daughter, Chonne Murphy of Elk Creek; sons, Ken Moore of Clovis and Kelly Moore of Rio Linda; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and more friends than you could count.

Services are planned for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Neighborhood Full Gospel Church, 901 South St. in Corning.

She is to be interned with her loving husband at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo at a later date.

Please send flowers to the church (bright ones); she loved them so.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Paulita Saavedra Nimerfroh was promoted to Heaven on Nov. 30, 2014, in Glenhaven.

She was born on the family ranch in Carrazozo, New Mexico. She spent her youth with cousins and brothers and sisters.

Paulita graduated from Encinal High School in Alameda, Calif. She attended secretarial college and worked for the phone company.

As a single mother, she raised Steven and Kathy.

She happily married Allen Nimerfroh in 1990 and they later retired to Clear Lake.

She was surrounded by family and friends in the weeks before her passing.

A celebration of Paula’s life will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 12:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Lakes, 1626 N. High St., Lakeport.

Flowers can be sent to the Chapel of the Lakes. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Northlake Adult Day Center, 1026 Compton St., Lakeport, California 95453.