Irene Harmston's remains were carried to Hartley Cemetery in a horse-drawn hearse, recently purchased by Chapel of the Lakes. Mrs. Harmston's funeral was the first use of the hearse. Photo courtesy of Woody Hughes.

Irene passed away peacefully at her home, April 3, 2008, at the age of 74, surrounded by loved ones, after a short battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 9, 1933 in Olympia, Wash., to Joseph and Cora Lawant.

At the age of 12, Irene and her family moved to Palo Alto. She was the youngest of four children. Irene graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1952. Irene married in 1953, and after having three children, moved to Lake County in March 1964. Here she made her home for the past 44 years. She went to work for Bank of America, and after her retirement, worked for a short time at Bank of Lake County.

Irene met and married Norman Harmston after a brief courtship. She volunteered her time to the Lakeport Senior Center and was a current volunteer with the Gleaners. Each year at voting time you would find her sitting on an election board. Irene stayed involved with her church and the VFW.

Irene loved being around people. She looked forward to trips to her sister Pat's. She helped her children with parties and get-togethers. She loved spending time with all of her children and grandchildren. Irene and Norm loved to entertain and play cards with their friends and she was known to occasionally be seen at the casino trying her arm out on the machines.

Irene will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Norman Harmston; sister, Patricia Jack; children, Chris (Patrick) Lynch, Vicky (Dave) Cooper, Carol Lima (Steve Winant), Lynn (Sheryl) Harmston and Clayton (Marlene) Harmston; grandchildren, Shannon, Keith, Becky, Dustin, Jon, Molly, Chelsie, Kevin, Zoe, William and Katie Lynn; two great-grandchildren, Larsen and Jacob; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Earl, sister Catherine, brother-in-law Dale Jack, and nephew Dana.

A celebration of life and memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush Street, Lakeport, officiated by Chaplain Woody Hughes and the Rev. Diana Green followed by a special memorial service by the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 2015 at the VFW Post 2015 Plot at Hartley Cemetery.

Family prefers donations in Irene's memory to the American Cancer Society.

For further information contact Chapel of the Lakes at 263-0357 or 994-5611 or vist www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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She was born to Lars and Clara Fogderud on April 8, 1921 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Esther’s parents were both Norwegian-born and traveled by ship to work in Canada. Later they met in Alberta, married, and homesteaded a farm seven miles out of Burdett, Alberta. They raised three children; Esther was the youngest child. Preceding her in death are her husband, Charles Thomson Grieve; her parents; her sister, Anne Storlien; and brother, Terrance Fogderud.

Esther is survived by an only child, a daughter, Claire Grieve. Many nephews, nieces, cousins and old family friends live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Norway and Australia.

After growing up on the farm, Esther moved to Lethbridge, a 40-mile train ride from the farm. She candled and graded eggs. She married Charles (Chay) Grieve in September 1946 and a year later they had a daughter. Health problems caused the family to move to a hot, dry climate in Arizona. While living in Mesa, Arizona, Chay worked at the Carnation Dairy. A year later they moved to Eloy, Arizona and purchased a diner. Esther baked and decorated five-tier wedding cakes, pies and wonderful meals in the diner. Twelve years later they both worked at the San Francisco Giants spring training center located in Casa Grande, Arizona. After retiring they enjoyed going to Show Low (near the White Mountains in eastern Arizona). A few years later they moved to Nice, California to be near their daughter. Within that year, Chay had a massive stroke and died four months later. They were married 35 years.

Esther was a longtime member of the Upper Lake Methodist Church, and in the last five years, she enjoyed attending the United Christian Parish in Lakeport. She enjoyed having friends over for “tea parties” to share her baking talents and visiting. She belonged to TOPS over 22 years, with her health a very high priority. She walked a few miles everyday, and at 65 years old she walked in the SF Bay to Breakers with her daughter and friends. She enjoyed the members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club, and joining in the planning of all their activities. Esther had a kind heart and the many friends in her lifetime will tell you how special she was.

A memorial service will be held at the United Christian Parish in Lakeport, California at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, with coffee and desserts served afterwards. A private service will be held at the Upper Lake Cemetery later in the week.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes, Lakeport, California, 707-263-0357.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Lung Association, Lake County Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

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Vera Carr with her husband, Frank. Family photo.

On February 21, 2008, Vera Lillian Carr died peacefully in San Diego, California. She was 88 years old.

Mrs. Carr was born Vera Lillian Rock on November 16, 1919 in Stoke-on-Trent, England. In 1922, she immigrated to the United States with her parents and sister Joan. She lived in Southern California throughout her life until 1984, when she and husband Frank Carr moved to Lakeport, California, to enjoy their retirement years. Mr. and Mrs. Carr lived in Lakeport until 1999, then moved to San Diego, California to be close to their sons Jeff and Randy.

Mrs. Carr was a loving wife, mother and homemaker. She enjoyed gardening and cooking, and loved her pets; she was especially fond of her cats. Proud of her English roots, over the years she sought out and developed relationships with her relatives in England. She loved sharing afternoon tea with her neighbors and friends.

She will be especially remembered as a warm and loving mother. Home and family were at the center of her life. She was always ready to listen, offer kind advice or help when needed. She will be greatly missed by her family and all that knew her.

She is survived by her sons, Jeff Carr, Stephen Carr, John Wardy and William Wardy; sister, Lorna Young of Kelseyville; along with grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by the loss of her husband Frank, son Randy and sister Joan Forth.

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June was a longtime resident of Lucerne and Clearlake until moving with her son and his family to Maine.

She is survived by her twin sister, Rosemary; daughter, Kathryn; son, William (wife Gloria); grandsons, Edward (wife Megan) and Tyler; granddaughters, Jessica and Melanie; great-granddaughter, Makena; and June's beloved companion, Pepper.

She retired from Lakeside Community Hospital after a 35-year nursing career. June volunteered for many years as a member of the Lucerne Fire Department. She enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends. She was an avid football fan and bowler for many years. June will be remembered for her sense of humor and her loyal friendship.

Although she wouldn’t want anyone to fuss, there will be a small service to celebrate her life at the Clearlake Methodist Church in Clearlake on April 12 at 10 a.m.

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He moved to California to work in the shipyards during the war. After the war he became a house painter and later a painting contractor.

Jim moved to Lake County in 1972. He enjoyed hunting, fishing , traveling in his motor home and working in his vegetable garden. Jim was a past member of the Kelseyville Lions Club.

Jim is survived by his present wife, Susanna Clement; children, Sharon (Sam) Ketchum and Jim (Nancy) Clement; grandchildren, Shari (Dean) Blevins, Wes (Kristie) Clement, Gerald (Sue) Ketchum, Mike (Jennifer) Clement and Holly Clement; great-grandchildren, Trevor, William, Zachary, Lauren, Hunter, Ben, Paul, Mark and Brianne; extended family, Mike and Barbara Alexander and family and Dan Alexander and family, Brian Alexander and John and Sharon Murray and family.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary.

Jim enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and the family get-togethers at his house on the creek. We will miss his sense of humor and his stories of passed days. He will forever be in our hearts.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

For further information call Chapel of the lakes at 263-0357 or 994-5611 or www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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Michael is the youngest son of Meriel and Jack Medrano. His father preceded him in death in 1971.

Michael was born on April 14, 1966, and grew up in Anderson Springs with his mother and stepfather George Sweat. He loved all kinds of sports, especially fishing in the local creeks, and was a motorcycle enthusiast.

After graduating from high school, Michael went to Santa Rosa Junior College. He moved to Pasadena, Southern California and started a K-12 textbook company, which grew to be the largest in the state.

While in Southern California, Michael developed a passion for sailing and racing sailboats which he continued pursuing after returning to Lake County in October 2007. Upon his return he made a number of new friends playing at the Anderson Springs Bocce Court.

Michael is survived by his mother, Meriel Medrano; stepfather, George Sweat; brother, Joaquin Medrano; sister, Kari Donley; stepsisters, Victoria, Lisa, Linda and Terry; nephews, Justin and Landon Donley; uncle, Dale Chihuly; grandmother, Naomi Cyr; and a host of friends.

A special memorial service celebrating Michael's life will be held at the Middletown Community United Methodist Church on Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m.

Donations in memory of Michael should be made to Animal Rescue, One Union Square, 600 University Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101-4107.

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