Shirley (Larson) Baker
Shirley (Larson) Baker was born to Norwegian and Irish parents, Irving and Clarene Larson, in Dickens, Iowa, on April 27, 1935, the second of four children.
She was raised in Peterson, Iowa, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She was trained as a lab/x-ray technician, but worked in the field only a short time. Her husband was an Air Force transport pilot, then later a pilot for United Airlines and was often away, so she became almost a single parent to their three kids at times. While an Air Force wife, she packed up the house and kids, moving all over the country and even Okinawa as the Air Force saw fit. She was a Sunday school teacher and Girl Scout and youth group leader, taking many camping and back-packing trips into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Shirley enjoyed being outdoors and keeping fit—she loved tennis, hiking, water skiing, swimming and horseback riding. She was a jogger long before it was popular, even being offered rides for wherever she was going in such a hurry! She thrived on new challenges and got her private pilot license so she could fly the family club Cessna 172 around northern California.
As the children left home, she filled her time with more volunteer work. A caregiver to many elderly, an usher at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, President of the Christian Women’s Club and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League in Santa Rosa. She learned to paint and became proficient in still life and landscape oil paintings. Plus a lot more tennis!
World travel was another passion, and she traveled in the Orient/SE Asia, the Holy Lands, Europe, Russia, British Isles, Scandinavian countries, Greece, Africa, and this is only a partial list. She was always an eager participant—rode camels in Egypt, parasailed in Puerto Vallarta, cruised the Fjords of Norway and the canals of Bangkok, toured the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania in a land cruiser, hiked the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch, walked the gold-lined halls of Russian Tsars’ Palaces in St. Petersburg, white water rafted in Costa Rica . . ..
Shirley was devoted to her family and was also eager to help others, spending a lifetime helping those in need. Unfortunately, she battled Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years. But even in her illness, she reached out to those around her with a warm smile and uplifting attitude, sharing the love of Christ in spite of her own affliction. She passed away December 11, 2016. She is now with her Lord and Savior, whole and healthy once again!
Shirley is survived by her husband, three children, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with another on the way.
Geraldine M. Connolly
Geraldine M. Connolly, age 91, of Bloomington, Minnesota, formerly of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on January 9, 2017. Geraldine is preceded in death by her husband Robert J. and son David J. Connolly. She is survived by children Bruce (Jo Anne) Connolly, Mary Jo Connolly and Keith (Rebecca Anspach) Connolly; grandchildren Kendahl, Patrick, Courtney (Matthew) and Kyle; and great-grandchildren Alexus and Elijah.
Funeral services were held January 17 at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church in Bloomington, Minnesota, and interment was in Bloomington Cemetery.
Earl O. Conrad
Earl O. Conrad took his last breath on earth and took his first breath in heaven on December 28, 2016. He was born on October 21, 1919, in Great Falls, Montana, to Earl and Marion Conrad. He moved to Huntington Beach, California, at about one and a half years old and went all though school there, including San Jose State, California, where he was studying to be an aeronautical engineer. But, World War II interrupted his studies, and he joined the United States Air Corps. He became a fighter pilot of P-38, P-40, P-51 and one of the first jets. He flew about 130 missions in the South Pacific and received medals of honor for bravery.
Earl married Joanna Lewis, a school sweetheart, and was discharged in 1946. He joined his parents in owning and running a ceramics manufacturing business. Earl and Joanna had a son Stanley and a daughter Jerilyn. He retired at age 50 to travel with Joanna in their travel trailer.
Earl was a great golfer and prolific in his hobby of lapidary, making many gemstone rings for family and friends.
Earl and Joanna moved to Sun Lakes and loved it. They met and kept many great friends while still maintaining the friends they met in their travels. Earl received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 2001, assuring his entrance into heaven. Joanna died in 2003.
Earl’s new partner in life became Betty Biel, also a widow. They had 13 years of a wonderful partnership before his passing.
Earl was a man of great integrity and strong character. He was admired by all who knew him. He is survived by his son Stan Conrad and Peggy, daughter Jeri Allen and husband Mike, two grandsons Christopher and wife Karen and Tyson and wife Mehria. He had six great-grandchildren; Chad, Michael, Taylor, Brianna, Parker and Zachary, and one great-great grandson Bryce. He was also survived by gal-friend Betty. This awesome man will be sorely missed by all.
Robert (Bob) Lacombe
Robert (Bob) Lacombe, originally from Waterville, ME, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2016, surrounded by family at his home in Palm Desert, CA, after a short illness. He was predeceased by his wife Marie Antoinette (Huard), his parents Pierre Lacombe and Mary Jeanne (Veilleux), and siblings Richard, Christine (Hall), Harold and Henriette (Andrews). He is survived by his three children Barbara (Darrell Phillips) of Palm Desert, CA, John (Jim Sowa), also of Palm Desert, CA, and Paul (Janis) of Long Beach, CA, two grandchildren Matthew and Laura and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was a devoted husband and father to his children and always had a twinkle in his eye, a joke and a smile. He loved music and played piano, as his mother did, for so many years in the Waterville area. In 1957, he moved the family from Maine to the Los Angeles, CA, area and was retired from Angelus Sanitary Can Machine Co. He had many good retirement years in Sun Lakes, AZ, and loved to play golf, tennis and poker with the many friends he made there. In his final days on earth, Bob asked nothing more than to be home and surrounded by family and the music he had loved all of his life. After 32 years apart, he is finally reunited with his beautiful and loving “Toni.” Pending graveside services will be held at Resurrection Cemetery in Montebello, CA.
Lyndal “Lyn” Owen Wilson
Lyndal “Lyn” Owen Wilson, 86, formerly of Kokomo, Indiana, passed away at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 25, 2016. He was currently living in Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Dolores “Dee” Wilson, and she survives. Lyn was born in Kokomo, Indiana, to Guy H. and Madge (Freeland) Wilson.
Lyn was a graduate of Ervin Township High School and was the last class to graduate from that high school. Lyn graduated from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and sang in the Purdue University Glee Club.
After graduating from Purdue, Lyn married Barbara (Ann) Wood and then joined the U.S. Air Force to serve in the Korean War. After returning, Lyn and Ann started their family and expanded the family farm (Kappa Farms). He successfully founded and operated Wilson Cattle Company.
Lyn served as a director on the U.S. Federal Land Bank Board for two terms and as board president of First National Bank. He was an active member of the Kokomo Country Club, Rotary Club and YMCA.
With his integrity, gregarious nature and sense of humor, Lyn enjoyed social gatherings and cultivated many lasting relationships.
Survivors include his wife of 22 years, Dee Wilson, Phoenix, Arizona; his first wife of 40 years, Ann Caldwell and their four children, Michele Worthington, San Francisco, California, Lisa Kelly, Rome, Italy, Guy Wilson, San Francisco, California, and Steve Wilson, San Diego, California; and two grandchildren, Jack Kelly, San Francisco, California and Annie Kelly, New York City.
No ceremony is planned. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, Dobson Home, 1188 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, Arizona 85224.
Nancy Seiders
Nancy Bridge Seiders, 67, passed away January 9 in Sun Lakes, Arizona, from Alzheimer’s. Nancy was born in Chadron, Nebraska, and as a child, moved with her family to Pickstown, South Dakota. Nancy graduated from Pickstown High School and Augustana College. In 1968, she married Curt Seiders in Wagner, South Dakota. For over 30 years, Nancy taught deaf/hearing impaired children in South Dakota, Iowa and Arizona. Nancy loved teaching and the many children that came through her classrooms. Nancy was a devoted, loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Nancy was preceded in death by her father Don Bridge. She is survived by husband Curt, Sun Lakes; daughter Amy (Doug) Becker, Chandler, Arizona; daughter Beth (Shantian) Simmons, Gilbert, Arizona; grandson Casey Becker, Chandler; granddaughter Chelsea (Dusty) Steffen, Chandler; granddaughter Alison Becker, Chandler; grandson Tyson Simmons and granddaughters Jae Lyn and Leah Simmons, Gilbert; mother Phyllis Bridge, Woodburn, Oregon; brother Jim (Elaine) Bridge, Hamilton, Ohio; sister Diane (Jack) Landau, Portland, Oregon; and mother-in-law Jeanne Seiders, Sun Lakes, Arizona.
Patrick Donald McDonald
Patrick Donald McDonald, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle passed away on December 28 in Phoenix, Arizona, his home with his beloved wife Janet for over 20 years. Patrick and Janet were married exactly 63 years on the day he passed. The priest anointed and blessed Patrick and Janet’s marriage on their final day together, with their children Kathleen, Charlie, Patty, Jackie and grandson Tanner present. Patrick was born January 6, 1931, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He attended Dickinson Central High School, University of North Dakota and the University of Minnesota School of Business. Patrick also served in the military during the Korean conflict. He pursued a 50-year career in human resources as a manager, vice president and consultant, making many contributions at companies such as Honeywell and Celanese Corporation. Patrick was an avid reader, often consuming a book a day. He was known for his intelligence and wit, along with his love of conversation and “word play.” He had a knack for coming up with inventive and funny nicknames. He loved watching films and following sports, especially the Phoenix football Cardinals and the St. Louis baseball Cardinals, having been a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, for 15 years. After moving to Sun Lakes from California, he was a founder of the Sun Lakes Irish Club, a member and president of Sun Lakes Chorale, an avid golfer at Sun Lakes Oakwood Country Club and a member of the Sun Lakes Democratic Club. He loved singing and often sang duets with Janet as she accompanied him on the piano. Pat enjoyed his years living in Sun Lakes and loved the many wonderful friends he and Jan made. He relished the frequent visits his growing family made from all over the country. He is survived by his loving family, wife Janet, son Charlie (June), daughters Kathleen (Pat), Patty (Leo), Jackie (Tim) and Eileen (deceased), grandchildren Ian, Jessica, Lucia, Kaitlin, Oliver, Tanner, Emma, Blake and great-grandchild Astrid, sisters Jacqueline and Joan and brothers Tommy and Steve, and 12 nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed. A “Celebration of Life” service and internment at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis will be held in April. A memorial mass at St. Steven’s Catholic Church will held on Wednesday, October 26, 2017, at noon. Visit http://patrick-donald-mcdonald.forevermissed.com/ for Patrick’s online memorial site.