Obituaries

Sherry Ann Fletcher died peacefully at her Carson City home after a courageous battle with Acute Leukemia on August 31, 2022. Born May 8, 1940, in Eugene, Oregon, she grew up in Portland with her family relocating to Hayward, California in Sherry’s senior year of high school.

Herman Marty passed away peacefully on July 25, 2022.

He was born on May 13, 1943, in the tiny mountain village of Alpthal, Switzerland. He emigrated to the United States in 1970 and found his life-long home in South Lake Tahoe until his passing.

As a carpenter, he built many homes in Lake Tahoe, including the one he lived in with his wife and two daughters. He also built homes in Carson City, San Francisco, and Oregon. Those who knew him will always remember his Swiss style of craftsmanship — everything had to be exact. He was the ultimate perfectionist.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a celebration of life for Martin Hollary on July 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1384 June Way, South Lake Tahoe. Hollay passed away earlier this year at the age of 101.

Join family and friends as they celebrate the true Tahoe legend. Parking will be at the lower lot at Heavenly Mountain Resort and a shuttle will be available for those that need transportion. June Way will be closed to traffic. Himmel Haus will be catering the event.

Please join family and friends in celebrating the life of Elwyn “El” Hug. A memorial service will be held on Monday, July 11, at 3 p.m. at Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church, 2733 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe. Following the service, El will be remembered at a reception filled with what he loved most – friends, food, and fun (and probably a few stories!).

The reception will begin at approximately 4 p.m. at the family’s home at 3560 Ralph Drive.

David “Dave” Slater passed away on May 29, 2022 at the age of 57.

Robert “Rocky” Duarte, age 85, passed away on May 25, 2022.

Rocky was born on April 10, 1937, to Antone and Dorothy Duarte, in San Francisco, California. Rocky and his three brothers and two sisters spent their childhood in Pescadero, California, where he met his future wife, Yvonne. He attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo. When he graduated from high school, Rocky spent several years working for Pacific Telephone Company.

It is with deep sadness, that we announce the passing of Badass, William “Billy” Roland Bradford, on April 15, 2022. Billy was born in Huntington Beach, Calif. on September 9, 1974, to Dianne Mills and John Bradford, Jr. Billy graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, attended Long Beach City College, and moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1999, where he became a general contractor and took pride in the work he created through his craftsmanship around the area, over the years.

Reunited with the love of her life, Ben, after succumbing to Sepsis/Septic Shock. Barbara was surrounded by her family, cheering her on at the end of her earthly race.

Barbara loved her family, making crafts, using imagination, teaching, and working with children. She was Grandma to so many “bonus” kids in her life, always cheering them on and freely giving out hugs and affection to anyone who needed it.

Garfield “Gar” Ware, 99, passed away peacefully at his home in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Beloved Husband, Daddy, Uncle, Nono, and friend to all, passed away on February 25, 2022. Born to Joseph and Aurelia DeLallo in Albuquerque, New Mexico on November 29, 1935, Rich was the youngest of four siblings Louie, Joey, and Virginia. 

Dennis Michael Purvance was born Denis Hauks in Latvia on May 18, 2002. After spending his early years of life in an orphanage, he was adopted and loved by his family until his passing on February 28, 2022. Dennis charmed everyone who had the pleasure of being in his presence with his endearing smile and infectious laughter. He was always bothered by being the shortest of the group, but what he lacked in stature, he made up for in personality.

Christopher Andrew William Little, 29, of South Lake Tahoe, born December 21, 1992, died January 25, 2022. He is the son of Duane and Tamara Wallace of South Lake Tahoe and Kevin Little of Tulare. He attended local schools and graduated from STHS in 2011. He was a member of the wrestling team and took the NIAA championship in 2007. Chris was an avid skier, snowboarder, rock climber, and fisherman. He was an electrician and had a dog grooming business called Pup Culture. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 8 and was baptized by his grandfather Rev. Paul Wallace in Lake Tahoe.

Patricia "Patti" Clothier was born on June 12, 1960, in Minot, North Dakota. After many years of living in Southern California, she moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1999 and enjoyed the mountain lifestyle with her husband, children, and an abundance of friends. Patti passed away peacefully from medical complications with her husband Steve at her bedside on December 6, 2021.

Steve Kyte died peacefully, on November 24, 2021, in Palo Alto, California, at the home of his sister, from the effects of brain cancer (glioblastoma), surrounded by family and under the care of Mission Hospice. He was 71.

Steve was born on April 10, 1950, to Ruth Gardiner Kyte and Donald Kyte in Lynwood, California. He grew up in South Gate, a suburb of Los Angeles, where he attended State Street Elementary School, South Gate Junior High, and graduated from South Gate High School in 1968. He attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College where he studied electronics.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Wiley Tipton on October 10, 2021. Wiley was born on February 5, 1950 and passed away in his sleep on October 13, 2020.

He had been suffering complications from a recent stroke.

Friends and family are invited to The Landing in South Lake Tahoe for the Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. Come share stories, love and laughter.

The Landing is located at 4104 Lakeshore Blvd.

A man of kindness and generosity with a powerful, fighting spirit, Robert Gregson Christen passed away on July 22, 2021.

Born on the Fourth of July in 1953 in San Francisco, CA, the whole country celebrated Bob’s birthday, and he loved it.

Bob graduated from Novato High School in 1971 prior to joining the Navy in 1972. He served as a Boiler Technician (BT) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (aka San Francisco’s Own). He spent time in Southeast Asia towards the end of the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of E-5 when honorably discharged in 1976.

Randall "Randy" Brown, age 69, passed away in his South Lake Tahoe home on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Randall was born in Iowa, and was raised by his loving parents George and Verna. He graduated high school and, in 1974, he fell in love with South Lake Tahoe and was a resident for over 45 years.

He retired after a very successful career as a General Contractor building custom homes and owning his own business, RB Tile & Construction for over 30 years. He is survived by his twin daughters, Alexis and Ciara as well as his granddaughter, Gabriela.

Robert Anthony Warren passed away unexpectedly in his South Lake Tahoe home on June 17, 2021. He was born on October 31, 1967 in Concord, Calif.

Robert was a member of the South Lake Tahoe community for more than 20 years where he was a loving father to his two daughters Serenity and Brittany. He is predeceased by his parents who he loved so dearly.

Robert was a personality you would not forget and has many friends all throughout the world that miss his outgoing spirit dearly.

A Celebration of Life for Teresa (Teri) Golden will be celebrated on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lake Tahoe Community Presbyterian Church. All those who knew and loved Teri are welcome. The family hopes friends will share a short remembrance of her during the eulogy time.

Teri passed away in her home on Dec. 29, 2020. She had called South Lake Tahoe since 2007 and loved this area and serving the community in many ways. She loved the outdoors and the mountains in particular. She will be missed by her family and friends.

* * *

Early Saturday morning on the first day of Spring our father, Bill David Russell, went home to his heavenly father and joined the love of his live, Ann Amelia Russell, who proceeded him in death 21 years earlier. He is survived by his three sons and their wives (Alan / Nancy, Gary / Marja and Steve / Donna), 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Bill was born to Harry and Katie (Hornbeck) Russell on Aug. 25, 1930 in Klamath Falls, OR. He was the youngest child in a family of 10 children (with 3 sets of twins).

Our Muetti (Mommy) passed away peacefully on April 29, 2021. Anyone that knew her will understand that she gave a good fight to the very end.

She and her husband immigrated to the United States from Switzerland in 1957. After a very brief time in Tracy, CA they both discovered Lake Tahoe in 1959, bought a tiny motel that they soon completely rebuilt, and over the next 25 years fulfilled their American Dream. The Matterhorn Motel was our home, our fun, our family’s fondest memories. Relationships were created that are still in place today.

Long-time teacher and community member Donald H. Kortes died March 24, 2021 at home in South Lake Tahoe surrounded by his family. His death was due to congestive heart failure and complications from surgery in October. He was 90 years old.

James Anthony Biller was born in Ventura, CA, July 10, 1951, to Jack and Marjorie Biller. Growing up in Ventura, he surfed, sailed, played water polo for the Ventura High Cougars, and was one of the best swimmers Ventura High had ever seen, getting his varsity letter and pin as a sophomore and setting swimming records that stood for many years after he graduated in 1969. That Jim had a love of the beach, sailing, and everything that had to do with the water was obvious to everyone around him.

Raul I. Aguilar was one of 10 children, born on April 17, 1942 in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico and passed away on December 19th, 2020 in South Lake Tahoe, California. In his 20's, Raul worked as a radio disc jockey and enjoyed playing and winning in chess tournaments.

Raul moved to South Lake Tahoe in the early 1970's where he later got married and had three children. Raul always worked in the service industry as a banquet server and enjoyed meeting people and catering all sorts of events along the way.