LAURA MAE RHOADES
Laura Mae Rhoades (1908-2005), 96, passed away peacefully February 14, 2005 following a stroke. Mae was born in a log cabin on August 17, 1908 near Monte Vista, Colorado. She grew up on a farm in Manzanola, Co. with her sister, Pearl and brother, Chester.
Mae and her husband George were happily married for 60 years until his death in 1991. They farmed in Colorado and Oregon, owned and operated florist/nursery businesses in Pittsburg, Kansas and Morro Bay, Ca.
Mae graduated from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, earning her lifetime teaching credential. Her first teaching job was in Manzanola, a one-room school of Mexican farm laborers‚ children from preschool age through teens.
Her all time favorite job was teaching kindergarten in Los Altos, Ca. between 1948-1951. She taught the last kindergarten class at the Los Altos Elementary School on San Antonio Road in a basement classroom. She also taught the first two years after the opening of Hillview Elementary School as well as holding the position of reading specialist there. Mae‚s husband, George, was a builder who was involved in many building projects in the Los Altos area including working as one of the carpenters who helped build the Rancho Shopping Center. He built a lovely home for his family on Marvin Avenue in the late 40‚s.
Mae is survived by her daughter Laura Rhoades of Sequim, Wa.; her daughter Rosalie Rhoades Kanning and son-in-law Gerd Kanning of Los Altos; her grandson Kevin Kanning of Los Altos, her granddaughter Jill Eulate and husband Andres Eulate of Montclaire, Ca; her granddaughter Heidi Kanning and husband Kevin Froese of Sequim, Wa.; her granddaughter Lisa Clay of Portland, Ore; and six great-grandchildren: Michael Kanning of Los Altos, Amalia Eulate of Montclaire, Ruth and Aaron Froese of Sequim, Sarah and Audrey Daniels of Portland.
A memorial service celebrating Mae Rhoades‚ colorful life will be held at Los Altos United Methodist Church on April 23rd at ll:00 a.m.
MARY CAROL CONNOR
Mary Carol Connor, of Sunnyvale, at rest in San Jose April 8,2005. Mother of Patty Connor of Los Angels. Daughter of Mary Seidman of Los Altos and the late George Seidman. Sister of Thomas Seidman and his wife Gail Tennison of Walnut Creek, and the late Robert Seidman. Born July 8, 1950 in Dayton, Ohio. Age 54. Mary graduated from Los Altos High in 1969 and was a nurse’s aide in Menlo Park for 24 years. She was an avid bird collector and enjoyed needlepoint and macramé.
Friends were invited to attend a Memorial Service on April 15 at Christ Episcopal Church, Los Altos. Inurnment was at the above church. Arrangements under the direction of the Los Altos Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 399 So. San Antonio Rd. Los Altos.
DR. ERLE KIRK
Dr. Erle Kirk, entered into rest at his home in Los Altos Hills. He was 81. He was preceded in death by his loving wife and best friend Dorothy. He is survived by his daughter, Sue Williams (Brian) and their son Brandon. He is also survived by his son Ken (Lisa) and their daughters Sara and Avery Cruz.
Erle was a member of the U.S. Army during WWII as well as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves through 1962. He was a probation officer for the county of Santa Clara until l962. He graduated from Menlo College, Stanford University, and received his doctorate degree from Lawrence University. He followed his passion and became an educator and counselor. He taught Psychology at Foothill College for more than 25 years; was the school Psychologist for a number of years, and also ran a private Marriage and Family Counseling practice for more than 40 years.
Erle had a zest for life and all of its offerings. He enjoyed sailing, fishing, and snow skiing. He worked and played hard and opened his home and heart to many. He requested no memorial services. If desired, donations may be made to the National Cancer Society or your favorite charity.
LAVERNA VINCENT MORGAN
Laverna Vincent Morgan, 11/22/1917-4/12/2005, was born to a pioneer Mountain View ranch family. She was raised on the family’s apricot ranch located on Calderon Ave. in old Mountain View. Vincent Drive was named for her family when the ranch was subdivided in the early 1950’s. Laverna attended Mountain View High School. Following graduation, she was employed as a secretary by the law firm of Crist & Crist. Not long after leaving the firm, Laverna launched her forty year career as a retail manufacturing representative in the apparel industry, beginning with Dale of California. She was viewed as pioneer in her field considering that at the time this was a primarily male dominated industry.
In the early 1950’s, Laverna met and married her husband, Ben Morgan, a representative for Tommy Boy. The two joined forces and formed a partnership that led to the opening of offices in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Ben predeceased Laverna in 1979. Upon retiring from the apparel industry, Laverna enjoyed her leisure time tending to her garden and listening to her favorite Dixie Land music. She traveled to various cities attending jazz concerts and fulfilled her dream of visiting the Preservation Jazz Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Laverna is survived by her three nieces: Carol Rudgers-Pennel, Georgene Carambat and Charlene Stockwell; her three great nieces: Donna Matsu, Jacqueline and Emily Carambat and her two great nephews: Ric Rudgers and James Stockwell.
Donations can be made to Pathways, Hospice Foundation, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 104, Mountain View, CA 94040. Sempervirens Fund - Drawer BE, Los Altos, CA 94023.
Friends are invited to attend memorial services Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 11:00 AM at the Mountain View Chapel of Spangler Mortuaries, 799 Castro St, Mountain View.
