Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 21 December 2023 02:40; 21 December 2023

Jeannie M. Ernst

**Mike and Jeannie Ernst. Courtesy photo.**

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — We are heartbroken to inform our family and friends about the loss of our beloved wife and mother, Jeannie Ernst.

Jeannie, and her husband, Michael Ernst, celebrated their 63rd anniversary this year and have lived in Lake County since 1970.

Jeannie was a happy, loving mother that centered on the needs of children as her life’s work. She enjoyed being outside and being surrounded by her family was her joy.

She obtained a degree, later in life, and she loved working with people. When she lived in San Francisco as a young mother and wife, she was like a second mom to many children living in public housing, taking them to church, field trips to parks and museums and baking cookies.

She enjoyed cooking and baking, freezing and canning. She was a superb seamstress and made dresses.

When she moved to Lake County, she volunteered at Big Valley Head Start for preschool age children. She worked for North Coast Opportunities and traveled around Northern California and to the State Capitol advocating for children (even with her own diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.)

Jeannie outlived her illnesses. She had the diagnosis at 30, but always felt it wouldn’t get the best of her.

Jeannie had a great passion for health and gardening. In her 40s and 50s she was outdoors. She loved gardening and landscaping. Planting flowers around the county at local businesses.

Into her late 70s and 80s, she was loving being a great-grandmother and grandma. To her great grandchildren she was “Grammy Jeannie.” Even with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, she was able to remember everyone.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Ernst; daughters, Julie and Peggy; and son, Michael; four grandchildren, Janelle, Jonathan, Xavier and Sarah; and five great-grandchildren.

Her kind, caring, loving energy will be missed by so many. Rest in Peace, beloved.

An open service will be held at St. Peter’s in Kelseyville on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 at noon. All are welcome and a celebration of life will be late summer and will be announced.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 15 December 2023 02:33; 15 December 2023

Ragnar Taylor

GLENHAVEN, Calif. — Ragnar Lyman Taylor died on Dec. 7, 2023, at his home in Glenhaven in his mother’s arms with his family surrounding him in love.

He was born June 1, 2022, to James and Rachel Taylor, and is survived by his parents and his three siblings, Cedric, Calliope and Orrin.

He was a beloved son and a treasured brother who loved to cuddle more than anything else in this world.

A vibrant little warrior, Ragnar led a beautiful life. His sister always said of him, “He is tiny but he's mighty. He’s small but he’s strong.”

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Clearlake.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthlakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 09 December 2023 03:02; 09 December 2023

Emalee Jean Schmitt

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Emalee Jean Schmitt on Nov. 26, 2023, at the age of 75.

Emalee was born on Feb. 6, 1948, to Wilfred and Lynda Morrison in Lakeport, California.

She attended Upper Lake High school (class of 1966) and Sacramento State University, where she pursued a career in library science. She worked at the Sacramento State University Library until 2000.

She then moved to Port Angeles, Washington to enjoy retired life with her husband Bill, where she lived happily until her passing.

Emalee is survived by her husband of 55 years, William (Bill) R. Schmitt; her children, William M. Schmitt and Melanie Maciel; and her six grandchildren, Kevin Schmitt, Sara Schmitt, Nicole Schmitt, Isabella Maciel, Justin Maciel and Connor Schmitt.

She leaves behind her lifelong best friend and sister, Willynda Freitas; brother-in-law, Fred Freitas; sister-in-law, Marilynne Luke; and her many nieces and nephews.

Emalee was loved dearly by everyone.

Emalee loved traveling, reading, swimming, and spending time attending concerts and events with her many friends. She found joy in helping with local nonprofit foundations and giving back to the community.

Emalee will be remembered for her enthusiasm for life, and for her dedication to being a loyal and loving friend to all. She could lift your spirits just with her smile.

The family appreciates the love and support during this difficult time. Celebrations of life will be held in Port Angeles, Washington and in Northern California.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 21 December 2023 02:35; 21 December 2023

Thelma Ramsey

Thelma Irene Wallace Ramsey was the second child born to Fern and Marshall Wallace in Santa Rosa, California, on Aug. 26, 1926.

Thelma passed peacefully at home in Lincoln, California, on Feb. 25, 2023.

Thelma is survived by daughter, Marsha Dixon-McGill of Lincoln, California; stepdaughters, Linnette Ramsey Collingsworth of Spanish Fork, Utah, and Shelley Ownsbey of Ukiah, California; and nine step-grandchildren.

Thelma is also survived by three sisters-in-law, Inesse Ramsey Duarte of Santa Rosa, California, Ruth Sharp of Fair Oaks, California, and Eudora Rutledge Sweeney of Angel’s Camp, California; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by husband, Robert Neal Ramsey, of Clearlake Oaks, California, brother Marshall Malcom Wallace of Carmichael, California, and stepson Edmond Neal Ramsey of Santa Rosa, California.

Thelma graduated from Santa Rosa High School in Santa Rosa, California, in 1943 at age 16. She moved to San Francisco volunteering as a Red Cross Gray Lady at the Oakland Naval Hospital and joined the Red Cross Motor Corps, Mare Island. Her daughter still cringes at the thought of her young mother driving a stick-shift bus on the hills of San Francisco.

Thelma soon returned home to attend Santa Rosa Junior College, graduating in 1946. She went to work as a bookkeeper for Albers Feed Mill then went on to work for the county of Sonoma in Santa Rosa for over 20 years. She was a 1980 graduate with a degree in political science from Sonoma State University.

In the late 1970s, Thelma met her third husband, Robert Neal Ramsey. They married in 1981 in Santa Rosa after Thelma’s retirement from the county of Sonoma and lived in Ft. Bragg, California.

She loved being on the coast, learned how to grow tomatoes in the ever-present summer fog, became active in the American Association of University Women, volunteered at the Artists Co-op of Mendocino, and served on the board of the California Lung Association Redwood Empire.

After Bob’s retirement, they built a home in Clearlake Oaks, California, on the water for easy access to boating. Thelma organized a crochet prayer shawl group for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lakeport.

The Ramseys were also never far from a camper, fifth-wheel or motorhome, traveling on road trips across the states and in 1989, started what would be an annual pilgrimage for 16 summers to Alaska.

During their six-month journeys north, Bob kept busy fishing for reds and halibut, and Thelma caught up with family and friends, crocheted, did crosswords, and was always there for daily fish cleaning and canning.

Beta Sigma Phi honored her in 2014 as a 60-year member by including her in their Diamond Circle Ritual.

Following the passing of husband, Bob, Thelma moved to Lincoln, California, in 2015.

At her request, there will be no services. Her ashes are to be interred with husband Bob at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Santa Rosa, California.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 13 December 2023 03:06; 13 December 2023

Michael Linnell

Michael Douglass Linnell
Sept. 15, 1947 — Dec. 1, 2023

Mike was born in Santa Monica, California to Albert and Rosanne Linnell, the middle child of three boys: Warren, Mike and Brad, and spent most of his childhood being raised in Calistoga, California.

He played baseball, basketball and football through the years and had many great friends who had endless adventures and laughs to chat about right up to the end. He loved reminiscing about his childhood antics in small town Calistoga.

He graduated from Calistoga High School in 1965. Toward the end of high school he was taken in by Dr. Burton Hall and his wife Virginia and their children: Steve, Sue, Dick, Judy and Margie. He would consider these people his family from then on, and he appreciated their generosity of taking him in as one of their own.

As a young adult Mike married Joan Cardoza, also of Calistoga, and eventually settled in Kelseyville, California in the spring of 1979 with their two small children Jeremy and Lindsay.

He had two job offers at different newspaper companies, one in Lake County and one in Alaska. His sense of adventure wanted to take the family to Alaska, however Joan wasn’t on board, so Lake County it was!

He soon started his own business out of his garage in Kelseyville, Linnell Printing, and shortly after moved the business downtown where he ran it for over 37 years. He and Joan eventually parted ways but stayed in Kelseyville to raise their kids and live out their lives.

He was involved in many community events over the years while being part of the Big Valley Lions Club and Kelseyville Business Association.

Mike had a sense of adventure! He enjoyed taking his kids camping and doing anything outdoors. He eventually made it to Alaska on a cruise with his brother Warren and others. He loved racing his modified at Lakeport Speedway and coaching and attending any and all sporting events for his kids throughout the years. He loved to drive around and knew every back road in Lake County.

He is survived by his brothers, Warren (Kathe) Linnell of Idaho and Brad (Karen) Linnell of Oregon; his longtime partner, Barbara Green; his children, Jeremy (Mary) Linnell and Lindsay (Steve) Bushey, all of Kelseyville; his bonus children, Jake (Sara) Green of Middletown and Tyler Green of Sacramento; his grandchildren, Marissa, Rachael, Tyler, Olivia and Owen; and his bonus grandchildren, Dylan, Gavin, Abigail and Emma.

If you would like to come honor Mike and meet up with friends and family to reminisce and pay tribute, there will be a celebration of life on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Kelseyville, 5005 Second St. All are welcome!

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 07 December 2023 01:18; 07 December 2023

Mary Carol Erquiaga

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Mary Carol Erquiaga passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 23, 2023. She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Juan Erquiaga and great grandson, Carson.

A Southern California native, Carol graduated from nurses training and finished training at St. Vincent Hospital in Los Angeles in 1951 and by 1952 she was the head charge nurse at Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport where she would work until she retired in 1989.

In 1955 Carol married the love of her life, Juan Erquiaga. The happy couple’s first bundle of joy arrived in December of 1961, a bouncing baby boy, Mark Lynden, named after Carol's father. Mark enjoyed being the only child until the stork dropped off Mary Kate in June of 1967.

Together Carol and Juan worked and played and raised their family in Kelseyville.

Carol leaves behind her son, Mark L. (Jeanine) Erquiaga and daughter, Kate Erquiaga; grandchildren, Marcus and Ryan Erquiaga (fiancée, Sandra Martinez), Justin Newton (Misty), Johnathon Newton (fiancée, Dreamer) and Kenny Henninger; great-grandchildren, Justin, Sean, Nova, Conner and Carter on the way; and lots of nieces and nephews.

Memorial Mass will be held at St Peter's Catholic Church in Kelseyville on Dec. 15 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Lake County Passion Play.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Obits

Jeannie M. Ernst

Ragnar Taylor

Emalee Jean Schmitt

Thelma Ramsey

Michael Linnell

Mary Carol Erquiaga

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