Obituaries

Dr. Timothy Stoll died suddenly of galloping pneumonia on February 12, 2016 at the age of 77.

Dr. Stoll, an icon of the Tahoe area, practiced dentistry for over 50 years in both South Lake Tahoe and Minden.

On Wednesday morning, December 23, 2015, my wife and best friend, Charlene Middlebrook lost her long and courageous battle with cancer. As with everything she did, Charlene handled the cancer and a subsequent stroke, with grace, courage, total resolve and of course her humor and her smile, once again being the hero in our family. Charlene and I met here in Tahoe 35 years ago and soon discovered that we had both grown up in Southern California about two miles apart.

Mary E. "Betty" Duke, a longtime South Lake Tahoe resident, passed away on Oct. 29, 2015. She was 90.

Betty was born on Feb. 27, 1925, in Monroe, La., to Albert and Clara Olsen.

Betty was an active volunteer with many organizations. She enjoyed reading, traveling, playing piano and accordion, dancing, and the outdoors, but especially anything involving her family.

With the devastating fires currently burning in California it brings to the forefront emergency preparedness.

September happens to be National Preparedness Month and El Dorado County's Public Health Preparedness and Response reminds residents to make an emergency communications plan for themselves and their families. Planning ahead will help protect families, neighborhoods and communities when emergencies and disasters arise.

Hanifan, Mariana Osuna, 82, of St. Louis, MO passed away July 17, 2015 in the presence of her daughter and husband after a wonderful evening attending a long awaited Osuna family gathering held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On Wednesday, May 20, 2015 Dr. Paul Joseph Fry Jr. passed away in his home in El Macero, California in the company of his family. Paul was born in Dixon, Illinois in 1931, the son of Paul J. and Lauretta M. Fry, is preceded in death by his wife, Dee, of 53 years and is survived by his six children, twenty three grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. Upon graduating from Notre Dame, Paul attended Medical School at the University of Illinois; he served his internship at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital and did Residency Training at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dan Rix, affectionately known as “Papa Dan” to his family, passed away peacefully at his home in South Lake Tahoe on February 11, 2015 at the age of 73 after a brave and courageous battle with a long illness. Dan was born December 30, 1941 in Pueblo, CO to Dorothy Mae and George Robert Rix and spent his childhood growing up in Daly City (CA). He eventually moved to Tulare (CA) with his family where he graduated from Tulare Union HS in 1959.

Amada Soriano Masellones, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by loving family on Tuesday morning, December 30, 2014 following a long illness.

Amada was born June 9, 1935, in Calape, Bohol, Philippines to Jorge and Macra Soriano. She attended and graduated from Silos Vocational School of Dressmaking in the Philippines on February 14, 1953.

A photograph hangs in our father’s home—Needham Grammar School, Lodi, California, class of 1944, 120 kids from a different time. Amazingly, Dad could name a fair number of those classmates 70 years later.

A teacher for 25 years, the former students of South Tahoe High School will remember having Mr. Campodonico for history or civics. Vince held an optimistic belief in society and citizenship that he practiced all life long. He was always planning a trip, back from a trip or on a trip. Vince enjoyed people and would want us to say his goodbyes to his friends and family.

Long time resident Esther Simpson, passed away on October 9, 2014 after a short illness.

She was well known as the owner of Simpson’s Jewelers in South Lake Tahoe since 1966, and was not only a fine businesswoman, but an amazing, beautiful soul who loved life to its fullest and a very generous person to so many.

7/23/14 update: After a manhunt lasting several hours, Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies located Anthony Robert Diaz on July 22, 2014 at approximately 11 p.m. walking near Pine Nut Road in Gardnerville. Diaz’ 12 year old son was with him, and was safely recovered and returned to his mother. Diaz was arrested for ex-felon possession of a firearm, and child endangerment. Diaz remains in custody in the Douglas County Jail in Minden, and his bail has been set at $50k.

Clifford Nass, a popular professor at Stanford University, passed away at South Lake Tahoe's Stanford Camp on Saturday, November 2. He was well known for his studies on the way people interact with technology and for his work on individual differences associated with multi-tasking.

Nass, 55, was in South Lake Tahoe to attend the fall Staff and Faculty Weekend at Stanford Camp which is located on the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake. He suffered a heart attack.

If anyone out there is thinking about crying, don’t. Kathy Bluethman would prefer a smile.

“Anyone who is mourning Kathy doesn’t get it,” Bluethman’s longtime friend and local coach Dan McLaughlin said. “Who’d be the most upset? Don’t mourn. Celebrate the fact that we got to spend time with probably the most remarkable person we will ever meet.”

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Paul Ernst Kasper, 79 died peacefully Sunday, March 3 at Renown Regional Medical Center. Paul was born April 26, 1933 to Otto and Anna Kasper in Basel, Switzerland. He served his apprenticeship ...

Sept. 1, 1952 - April 24, 2012Peter Frank Tarantino was born on Sept. 1, 1952 in Pittsburg, Ca. to parents Joseph and Rose Tarantino. He died unexpectedly on April 24, 2012 in Concord, Calif. He...

Paul came to us as a Blessing from God on May 6, 1920 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He gifted his long life to the service and comfort of his fellow man, a soldier and warrior, an attorney and jurist...

October 4, 2006 - February 1, 2013Zoe Janye Orcutt was born October 4, 2006 at Elkhorn, WI. When Zoe was 8 months old, she was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder tha...

September 24, 1955 - January 28, 2013Janice Maureen Eastin, age 57, of Merlin, died Monday, January 28, 2013 at her home.A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 9, 2013 at th...

February 26, 1957 - January 28, 2013Raul "Esky" Mendoza passed away on January 28, 2013. Esky lived in South Lake Tahoe for most of his life. He was a big hearted man loved by many. He is surviv...

10/8/1952 - 1/25/2013Bert Joseph Lucido was born October 8, 1952 and left this world unexpectedly on January 25, 2013. He was a resident of South Lake Tahoe since 1958. Bert was an avid sports f...

Oct. 26, 1923 - Jan. 14, 2013Edward Michael was born October 26, 1923 to Mike and Annie Kazarian in Fowler, CA. As a young man, Mike enjoyed playing the saxophone in his high school band. At the...

December 1, 1925 - January 6, 2013Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Barbara A. Barber, 87, passed away in Citrus Heights, CA, on January 6, 2013. Barb was bor...

December 22, 1915 - December 28, 2012Our much loved mother, grandmother and friend, Mary G. Cannon, 97, passed away in her sleep with her devoted children, Frank Leonis and Anita Lenzini, by her...

In a TV arena in which premiums are placed on the fanciful and trendy, screaming housewives and snarling reality-show participants, no one seemed more out of place or less likely to become a popular star than Huell Howser.