The Humboldt Sun - November 5, 2007

MR. WILLIAM LAUB Sr

William ‘Bill’ Laub, Sr., passed away on Oct. 14 at the age of 83, after a short illness. Laub was born at Fort Mills, Corregidor, Philippine Islands, July 20, 1924, to Harold and Marjorie Laub.

He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. Bill received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the U of C, Berkeley in 1947, and a law degree from the U of C, Berkeley School of Jurisprudence in 1950.

He practiced law in Los Angeles for four years while assisting his father in developing and building a small, struggling liquid propane gas distribution utility serving Barstow and Victorville, Calif. Laub left the law practice in 1955 to join his father full time and moved the utility’s headquarters to Las Vegas where the fledgling company became Southwest Gas (SWG).

He served in various capacities, and was equally at ease with executives in the boardroom and employees at all levels, as he never forgot his roots, those days when he chopped weeds and worked in the trenches. He felt strongly that employees were the backbone of the company. Bill served as president and CEO from 1964 until his retirement after 33 years in 1988. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a visionary, builder and humanitarian. Under his leadership the company brought natural gas to northern Nevada for the first time in the early 1960s, and through various expansions and acquisitions SWG grew from 52,000 to more than 800,000 customers, becoming one of the west’s leading natural gas utilities.

Laubs civic and professional affiliations included chairman, Pacific Coast Gas Association (1982-83); trustee, Institute of Gas Technology (1983-89); chairman, American Gas Association (1986-87); and chairman, Nevada Public Utilities Association (1976-79).

Although an active Republican, he was appointed by Democratic Gov. Grant Sawyer to the Savings & Loan Appeal Board, State of Nevada (1961-66). Bill served in various capacities in the Republican Central and National committees, and was appointed by Gov. Paul Laxalt to serve as the first Nevada Equal Rights Commission chairman from 1966-68. He was president of the Nevada Development Authority (1967-68); member, board of directors, First Interstate Bank of Nevada (1964-88); and a member of the National Board of Advisors, College of Business and Public. Administration, University of Arizona, (1985-89). A life-long supporter of Boy Scouts of America, Laub served as president of the Boulder Dam Area Council (1967-69). He served as trustee of KNPR Public Radio (1994-2005) and was trustee of Claremont School of Theology (1977-2004).

He was president of the Methodist Foundation of Southern Nevada (1967-74) and a founding member of the University United Methodist Church in Las Vegas.

Bill married his college sweetheart, Mary McDonald, on July 26, 1947. They had been married for 60 years. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Las Vegas); children Mary Agnes Boni (Les) and daughters Meghan and Heather (Winnemucca), William Laub, Jr. (Las Vegas); Andrew Laub and sons Russell and Brian (La Jolla, CA); John Laub (Karen) and Sons Michael and Scott (Phoenix, AZ); and David Laub (Sheila) and daughter Virginia (Seattle, WA).

Donations may be made to University United Methodist Church; KNPR (1289 S. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89146); or a charity of choice.

MR. HENRY W. LEE

Henry Wiliiam Lee, 80, died suddenly May 1, 2008. He was born in Norfolk and served in the U.S. Army for nearly 25 years, retiring as a warrant officer serving in Army Intelligence. Hank fought in the Vietnam and Korean War, and traveled to many countries throughout the world. He was a graduate of Eastern Montana College. He was an avid golfer, and excelled on the seniors golf tournament and also made two holes-in-one in recent years. He enjoyed ballroom dancing and duckpin bowling. He was a member of the Norfolk Moose Lodge No. 39. He enjoyed his yearly trip to Winnemucca visiting friends and family.

Hank is survived by his son, Bruce Lee and wife Laura and granddaughters, Jessica and Casandra who reside in Billings, Mont.; his daughter Peggy and husband Brad Bettencourt and granddaughter, Ashley Matson and grandson Brant, who reside in Winnemucca. He is also survived by granddaughter Alisha and husband Chad Coody and two sons, Cameron and Jaden who reside in Gillette, Wyo.; three great-grandchildren, Aryton, Tryton and Melanie Eden of Knoxville, Tenn.; many older cousins and second cousins; sister Audrey Burke and husband Kenneth who reside in Effingham, Ill.; brother Robert Lee and family in West Virginia.

Hollornon-Brown Funeral Home was in charge of services. Condolences may be offered to the- family at www.holland-brown.com.

MRS. LILLIAN LEQUERICA

Lillian Lequerica, age 81, died peacefully at her home in Arock, Ore., on Aug 25, 2007, surrounded by her family.

Vigil Rosary will be recited on Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. and the mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m., both at Saint Bernards Catholic Church in Jordan Valley, Ore. Services under the direction of Flahiff Funeral Chapels and Crematory.

Lillian was born in McDermitt on Nov. 13, 1925, to John Zatica of Izpaster, Bizkaia, and Delfina Coscorrosa of Paradise Valley. She was raised in Oregon Canyon, where she attended grade school, and later graduated from Jordan Valley High School in 1943.

On June 19 of the same year, she married John Lequerica in Winnemucca. Their first years of marriage were spent at their sheep camp near Jordan Valley, where her over 60 years of cooking for an always-full table of Basque herders, cattle ranchers and family began. During that time, in 1946, she gave birth to their first child, Tim.

In 1947, John and Lillian, along with John’s brother, Rufus, bought a ranch in Arock, Ore., and in 1949, their second child, Jonelle, was born. It was on this ranch, the Lequerica Brothers’ Ranch, that Lillian spent the remainder of her always active life, taking care of the ranch hands, tending to family and friends, and inviting in anyone who just stopped by for a cup of coffee, cinnamon roll and a visit.

Lillian is preceded in death by her husband, John Lequerica, and her parents, John and Delfina Zatica.

She is survived by her children, Tim Lequerica and Jonelle (Herb) Krakau; step-children, Gerald (Rayetta) Lequerica and Eleanor Wood; sisters, Emily Miller and Chickie (Jose) Gastanaga; sisters-in-law, Josephine Arritola, Connie Stitzel, and Luella Lequerica; special family who lived on the ranch, Tony and Mary Lequerica and Donato and Maria Obieta; grandchildren, Troy and C.J. (Sheila) Lequerica and John and Delfina Krakau; great-grandchildren, Lily and Joe Bob Lequerica and the many others to whom she was Amuma, Marcia, Raime, Shaun, Tara, Laz, Darin, Joni, Darby, Brianne, Rochelle, Nick, Cali, Cale, Alena, Ken, Timmy, Tayler, Meg, J.J., Shelly, Randy, Trenton, Ryan, Jenna and the numerous nieces, nephews, and friends that knew her as “Aunt Lil.”

Memorials may be made to the Holy Family/Saint Bemards Catholic Church (P.O. Box 186 Jordan Valley, OR 97910) or to the Jordan Valley Ambulance (P.O. Box 345 Jordan Valley, OR 97910).

MR. BENNY LINDER

Benny Linder died Nov. 12, 2007. He was born May 16, 1938, in Bern, Switzerland. He worked in the logging industry for many years before coming to Winnemucca. He worked in mining and construction until his passing.

Benny is survived by his wife Shefry, Sons Benje, Stacy, Michael and daughter Stefanie; grandchildren Brandy, Nick, Katrina, Mike, Katy, Kevin, Stacie and Baylee; as well as many brothers and sisters in the old country and many other friends throughout his worldly travels.

Celebration of life for Benny Linder to be held at Las Margaritas Friday, Nov. 16, at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, cash contributions accepted at Wells Fargo Bank account for any expenses.

MR. JAMES C. LISTER

James C. Lister, 71, of Winnemucca died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, as a result of an ATV accident. He was born May 25, 1936, at Panguitch, Utah, to Austin and Ruth Lister. In 1940 the family moved to the fabulous Silver Valley in northern Idaho.

He graduated from Kellogg High School in 1955 and served in the Army from 1956 to 1959. He married the love of his life, Peggy, May 29, 1971. He retired from the Sunshine mine in 1986. The family moved to Winnemucca, and James worked at various mines until his retirement in 1998.

He enjoyed all outdoor recreation with his family, ATV trips, camping, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin and Ruth; brother Robert and sister June.

Survivors are his wife Peggy of Winnemucca, sons: Terry (Janine) of spring Creek; Tim (Tina) of Meridian, Idaho. Grandchildren Katie, James, Jake, Mikayla and Syrah. Sister Beth (John) Gravley of Elk Creek, Idaho; Brother Ward (Connie) Lister of Wallace, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at the East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center. Everyone is invited to a potluck lunch following the memorial service.

Contributions may be made to Friends of Castaway Companions Animal Shelter, Winnemucca, Nev., 89445. Lovelock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MRS. IRENE C. LITTLE

Irene C. Little of Winnemucca passed away quietly in her home on Feb. 2, 2008. Death incident to age.

Irene was born Sept. 24, 1926, in Merced, Calif., to Albert and Josephine Nova. She attended school in California, graduating from the University of California School of Nursing in San Francisco. She graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in nursing.

Irene married Richard C. Little of Winnemucca on Feb. 13, 1949, and has resided in Winnemucca ever since. The couple had three children, Sandra Little of Evanston, Wyo., Tim Little of Oakland, Calif., and Ted Little, deceased. She was employed for several years by Humboldt General Hospital as a staff nurse, private duty nurse and as the HGH in-service director until her retirement from nursing in 1976.

Early in 1960 she was employed by the state of Nevada Public Health Service in which she served the entire Humboldt County, making many friends around the county. Later she served as the supervisor of the Nevada Home Health Agency in Winnemucca. Irene was active in the Winnemucca 4-H program for 28 years. Over those years she taught many of Winnemucca's youth in food preparation, bread making and food preservation. She prepared many of her students for state food demonstrations and food judging teams. She served on the local 4-H leader's council for many years. Irene was also an active member of the Humboldt County Hospital Auxiliary after her nursing retirement. She worked for several years at the Poke and Peek Store and served many years on the hospital auxiliary scholarship committee. Always interested in her nursing profession, Irene was an active member of the American Nurses Association and the Nevada Nurses Association. She served as an officer for both the state and local associations. In 1985 she was honored by being the recipient of the Nevada Nurse's Association recognition service award.

Irene is preceded in death by her parents; her bother Carl Nova and son Ted Little. She is survived by her husband Richard C. Little; daughter Sandra Little; son Tim Little. Also nieces Ruchmini Lester and Cathy Nova; and nephews Dale Nova and William Nova, all of California. A viewing and visitation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at Albertson Funeral Home, with a service immediately following at 11 a.m. A private burial will follow at the Winnemucca City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Humboldt County Library, the Humboldt County Museum or The Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary

MASTER DUSTIN L. LOCKABY

Dustin Lawrence Lockaby, age 14, passed away on Aug. 7, 2007, at Onion Reservoir due to a tragic ATV accident.

Dustin was born Nov. 25, 1992, in Winnemucca to Edward Dewayne Lockaby and Valarie Deanne Smith Lockaby.

Dustin would have entered the 9th grade this year. Dustin loved skateboarding, golf and art.

He is survived by his parents; Valarie and Dewayne Lockaby and brother Daniel Lockaby, all of Winnemucca; grandparents Don and Brenda Lockaby of Kansas; Gary and Sharon Smith of Nevada; aunt Debbie Lohr and cousins Sarah and Megan Lohr, all of Winnemucca; aunt and uncle Bruce and Shayla Hudson and Tony Lohr, and cousins Tiffany Hudson, Jeremy, Mike and Cody of Lovelock; aunt and uncle Donna and Artie Montoya, along with cousins Jennifer and Eric of Denver, Cob.,Colo., aunt and uncle Colleen and OK Kiker of Kansas; aunt Terressa Whiteside along with cousins Dannya and Robyn, all of Minnesota; uncle and aunt Craig and Diannia Smith and Kern of Winnemucca; uncle Ivan Smith of Kansas and Jason Smith of New Mexico.

Funeral Services were held on Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at 10 a.m. at the Winnemucca Christian Fellowship Church, with Pastor Mark Clendenen officiating. Albertson Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.

MR. LEE D. LOCKE

Lee D. Locke, 80, of Winnemucca, passed quietly away Sept. 10, 2007, with his family by his side. He was born June 25, 1927, in Farmington, N.M., to Otis and Ida Locke, a pioneering family. He followed his family to Winnemucca in 1946. Lee started as a meat cutter for Sewell’s Market. He farmed Gumboot Lake north of Winnemucca and worked for Westem Pacific Railroad as yardmaster.

He then owned and operated Winnemucca Mobile Homes, Winnemucca House of Parts and the Hitching Post Mobile Home Park.

He is survived by three sons: Dennis, Kyle (Karen) both of Winnemucca and Lenny (Deborah) of Ariz.; six grandchildren: Allen of Femley, Sasha and Branden of Winnemucca, Meriam of New Jersey and Tayler and Ashlee of Arizona.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Lee’s incredible, life at 1 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2007, at the Senior Citizens Center in Winnemucca. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Lee’s memory to the Humboldt County Museum, P.O. Box 819, Winnemucca, Nev., 89446.

MR. JAMES A. LUDLOW

James Alton Ludlow, lovingly called “Bubba” by Lynn and her Lowry students, found respite from his long illness Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, at home surrounded by his life companion, Lynn, and dear friends.

Jim was a determined and dependable man who never saw a task that he felt he could not complete. Hard-headed and stubborn by nature, few people were as honest, loyal and truthful as he was.

Jim’s warm and funny sense of humor gave him a gallant outlook on life. Even during the worst days of his long illness, Jim never lost the innate qualities of a gentleman. Jim was a shy man but once you got to know him, he was a faithful friend for life. Jim will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Humboldt Volunteer Hospice. This group assisted the Ludlow family in facing this final journey with dignity and grace. A special thanks to Mary Orr for helping make this transition a serene one for Jim and Lynn.

MRS. HEIDI M. LUTZ

Heidi Maigret Lutz, 33, passed away on Dec. 8, 2007, in Reno. She was born on July 30, 1974, in Reno. Heidi grew up in Brighton, Colo., and attended schools in Henderson and Brighton.

She is survived by her father, Robert Lutz of Winnemucca; her mother and step-father, Wendy and Eric Mayer of Gold Hill, Ore.; brother Andrew Lutz of Reno; brother and sister-in-law, Jeremy and Sandy Lutz of Winnemucca; sister Emily Lutz of Reno; step-sister Chelsea Mayer of Littleton, Colo.; grandparents, Paul and Joyce Mills of San Anselmo, Calif.; uncle, aunt and cousin, Peter, Martha and Carter Mills of Leeds, Utah; and Godparents, Richard and Emmie Krajewski of Reno.

Heidi will be dearly missed by all who have been blessed to know her and she will forever be in our hearts.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Heidi’s name to the National Kidney Foundation; 3151 S. Vaughn Way, Suite 505; Aurora, CO 80014.

MR. LEONARD L. LYON

Leonard Leroy Lyon passed away at his home in Winnemucca, on Dec. 15, 2007. Leonard was born to Ola and Opal Lyon on Aug. 29, 1937, in Adena, Colo. He was raised by his parents with three other siblings in Fort Morgan, Colo.

He married his love Johann LeValley on Sept. 15, 1953, in Ration, N.M., working in the oil fields in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming, along with being an Electrical Lineman and Road Construction.

They moved to Ruth in 1961, working in the copper mine and then moved to Winnemucca with their three children in 1964, making it their home.

Leonard worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator (Local #3) on road construction throughout the State of Nevada and retiring in August of 1985.

He was preceded in death by his sisters Barbara Lyon and Joyce Barker, his parents Ola and Opal Lyon and grandson Levi Leonard Lyon.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Johann Lyon; children: sons, Michel (Anna) Lyon, Lome (Debra) Lyon, daughter Lenora (Rick) Madrid and her significant other Steve Armstrong, all of Winnemucca; grandchildren: Michel (Mindy) Lyon of Stone, Idaho, Brandy (Leo) Leija of Hagerman, Idaho, Larteresta Lyon of Elko, Loma (Cody) Elms and Jiovanni Madrid of Winnemucca.

Great grandchildren: Harlee, Bre'kell, Oaklie Lyon of Stone, Idaho, Mikaiecla, Dario, Angelina Leija of Hagerman, Idaho; James, Taron Metz of Elko and Annika Elms of Winnemucca.

Brother-in-laws: Diwiatt

of Las Vegas and William (Kelly) LeValley of Lake Wood, Colo. Brother: Kenneth (Bonnie) Lyon. Along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be held Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge located on the corner of Baud and 5th Street in Winnemucca. Please come join and join us in the celebration of his life.