LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Momoko Shimada died peacefully on Jan. 8, 2014, with family by her side.

She was born in Tokyo, Japan Feb. 5, 1923, to Yonetaro Tsuyuki and Ko Tsuyuki.

She loved dance, music, arts, animals, children and nature. She mastered traditional Japanese dance and received her license to teach from kabuki theater choreographer Bando Mitsunojo, from whom she received her distinguished stage name Bando Mitsuyu.

She performed at Teikoku Gekijou (Imperial Theater) near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo when she was 20 years old.

She also mastered Shamisen (a three string instrument) from Master Kineya, and Nagauta singing from Master Matsunaga Wafu (her stage name is Matsunaga Wakuni).  

Momoko and her husband Kiyoshi Shimada owned and operated a restaurant, Tenkuni in Ginza, Tokyo. She was the third generation owner of Tenkuni.

After her husband unexpectedly died at an early age of 57, she left everything behind and moved to Lake County, Calif., in 1990 to live with her only daughter’s family and spent the next 24 years of her life here.

She performed and taught traditional Japanese dance in the Ukiah area into her mid 80s.

She is survived by her daughter, Machiko Shimada; granddaughter, Hinda Darner; grandson, Kiyomizu Darner; great-granddaughter, Layla Elise (Kaimai) Darner; and great-grandson Dezmond Shimada Solomon.

She touched many hearts and has left a great void with her passing but also leaves behind fond memories. She was kind and humble and known for her lovely smile. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Her daughter carries on her legacy of music, her granddaughter dancing and her grandson culinary arts and the restaurant business.

A memorial will be held at the Tallman Hotel Meeting Room in Upper Lake on Saturday, Feb. 22, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Donna Sanders-Stephenson passed away peacefully January 23, 2014 at the age of 58. She was surrounded by those she loved.

Donna loved to crochet, listen to country music and play card games.

She is preceded in death by her infant son, Joshua Levy.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Tabitha Renee Blankenship, and her Tailored Living Choices family.

A funeral service will  be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, with Pastor Charles Thomas officiating.

Burial will follow at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jess Willard, 98, passed away on Jan. 22, 2014.

Born to Martha and James Willard on November 10, 1915 in Bray, Oklahoma, Jess grew up with seven siblings.

He is survived by his three children: Mary Louise, Richard and Ken. Jess also is survived by brother, Horace; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, with one more due in April; and five great-great-grandchildren. Jess survived three wives, including Ruby of a 60-year marriage.

Jess worked in agriculture most of his life, beginning on the family’s broom corn and cotton farm in Oklahoma. He worked the Oklahoma oil fields before moving to California in 1937. During World War II, Jess helped construct Fort Ord, Camp Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts.

In both San Martin and Atwater, Calif., Jess and Ruby owned and operated the Jess Willard Dairy. He was founding director of the Western Dairymen Cooperative, received five "Best Producing Herd" awards, and was a member of the California Milk Advisory Board for 30 years.

As a lifetime member of the North American Sheepdog Society, Jess bred and raised border collies that achieved both California and national championship status.

Upon retiring, Jess and Ruby moved to Oregon to assist on son Ken’s ranch, raising Dorper sheep and hay.

He spent his last five years in California, living in Clearlake Oaks, sharing food, telling stories, and passing time with new and old friends, as well as family.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 12821 First St., Clearlake Oaks.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Funeral services for Daniel Cota, who passed away Jan. 25, 2014, will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St., Lakeport, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.

Family prefers donations made to Chapel of the Lakes to help with expenses.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Robert “Steve” Stephens, born October 5, 1935, passed away peacefully Jan. 25, 2014.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Jeanette and his children, Kimberly, Jeffery and Lisa.

Steve was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a career carpenter.

May the Lord smile upon you, Steve.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Edith Colleen Neal Klier passed from this earth Jan. 23, 2014, at the age of 88.

She was born to Walter Washington Neal and Zee Wilson Neal of Nail, Ark., on Jan. 22, 1926, in West Portal, Colo.

She spent her childhood around large construction sites where her father worked as a high explosives expert until the Great Depression ended most large construction.

Her parents divorced and she and her father spent the war years working in the Bremerton Navy Yards. Her mother remarried and moved to Kelseyville and she followed after the war.

She ran the switchboard for Bell Telephone at the Kelseyville office, and picked pears along with her stepfather, Jesse C. Casey for Martin Klier on the side.

She married Martin Klier in October of 1948. Together they had four sons, Martin N. (Pamela) Klier, Walter A. ( Diane) Klier, both deceased, and John C. Klier and Richard C. (Deanna) Klier. Her husband Martin passed in December of 1989.

Edith spent the rest of her life on the ranch she and Martin bought in Scotts Valley.

Over the years she worked in Thorpe's nursing home, the Lake County Justice Court, Lakeside Hospital and Crawford, Major and Kranz, attorneys at law. She joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1954 and remained a member throughout her life.

She leaves behind four grandchildren, Christian Klier, Nathan Klier, Leanne Klier, and Ian Klier; four great-grandchildren, Paris, and Portia Klier, Avery Thurman and Lily Klier; and her stepsister, Pearl Divine of Red Bluff.

No funeral services are planned. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

The family prefers donations to either the Lakeport Fire Department at 445 N. Main St. Lakeport, CA 95453, or Hospice of Lake County at 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

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