On November 15, 2022, we lost Ellen Krohn at the age of 73.

“Mimi” as those close to her called her — and they were many — was formally Mary Ellen Krohn, born Mary Ellen Coffey in Connecticut on January 20, 1949. She spent her early life on the East Coast and her high school years in the suburbs of Chicago, where she met her husband Hal and had two children, Susie and Jake.

To find a life more closely suited to their personalities and family goals, Hal and Ellen would pack two vans in 1978 and adventure out to California, where they settled in Fortuna. Following her passion for education, Ellen worked in the Fortuna and Humboldt County schools in many capacities over the years while earning her English degree and teaching credential at Humboldt State University. She taught mostly 6th grade in Fortuna for 25 years before finally retiring in 2014. So many kids she taught felt like she propelled them in their journey through school and felt her effort deeply and positively.

Ellen’s daughter Susie had two kids, Kai and Bryan, whom Mimi doted on with as much passion as she could muster. Susie developed breast cancer and passed away in July of 2008 at the age of 39. A devastating loss. Her son Jake met his girlfriend Jess and her son Miles in 2018. Mimi and Miles had time to bond and get close in the four years before she passed. Kai and Bryan have wonderful partners in Shirine and Ali. Mimi felt so lucky and happy to see her son and grandsons find love and begin to start families.

Mimi lived a warm and love-filled life. She and Hal ran a deeply welcoming house in which all felt comfortable any time of day or night, announced or unannounced. They were surrogate parents to any kid who could use the surplus of love they had to give. Multiple kids moved into the house for periods of time when they felt like they needed a place to get their feet on the ground. We all learned how to play music in the backyard shop and she and Hal drove us all to shows and came to every one they could over many years. Everyone felt the unconditional support from Ellen and Hal.

All throughout her life Ellen was very social and involved. From organizing Grange dances in the 1980s with music and potlucks to volunteering at the library in her retirement. Always at a political march. Always petitioning and volunteering to write for a cause. Always standing up for justice. In retirement she picked up the ukulele and played with different groups of friends. She was very proud of that and so happy and intrigued to be involved in that side of music after so fervently supporting the music of her husband and children and grandchildren for so many years. She took art classes and was always excited to attend the classes to see her friends as well as to show us all her progress. She took up birdwatching. Always a fan of nature, especially the ocean, she loved to get outside and walk and learn about birds and flowers.

Mimi loved to hang out. To chat and laugh, or sit quietly and just be, just soak up the life that others exuded. She just loved people. And people loved her. She was a presence without being a presence. Quietly but robustly and genuinely validating those around her, making everyone feel they mattered, and they could do anything they wanted. That’s who she was as a parent, a friend, a teacher, and even an acquaintance.

Ellen developed kidney disease in the early 2000s. She had many hospital visits and surgeries, related and unrelated over two decades. Throughout all this she endured with nearly no complaints and a smile on her face. Mimi didn’t need much. She was so content with her life and felt grateful throughout.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Hal, her son Jake, her grandsons Bryan and Kai and Miles, and siblings Kate, Dave, Steven, and Meg and their families.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring, and we’ll welcome all who knew her. Date to be determined.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ellen Krohn’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Steven Alan Burres, first child of three, born to Don and Gladys Burres on May 21, 1956, went home to the Lord on January 15, 2023.

Steve went to South Bay Elementary School, where he met lifelong friend Alan Burns, and went to Jacobs Junior High School where he met what became a group of tight-knit friends that deemed themselves the “Alley Gang” — Jerry Alley, David Alley, Orlan Larson, Darrel Crocket, Phillip Sanchez, Paul McKnight, Regio Salas, Matias Salas and Jake Mosely, just to name a few. A group of kids that mastered how to have fun and, truth be told, they made memories that will now remain legends to their families and loved ones.

Steve was a Eureka High School Alumni, class of 1973.

Steve was extremely gifted at any hobby or sport in which he participated.

He worked in the construction industry for many years, mainly doing sheetrock finishing. He was very good at his job and was sought after by many employers who knew his talent. One notable job that he worked on was the Vance Hotel renovation.

He discovered that he was a talented woodworker when he decided he needed a coffee table. He went to second-hand stores and purchased hand tools and a table saw. He went to the library and checked out books on furniture making. Then he went dumpster diving behind cabinet shops and got beautiful scraps of wood, some of them exotic, which he used to make his coffee table. That led to more pieces of furniture and beautiful wood jewelry boxes and CD storage racks for friends and family.

He bowled on leagues at Harbor Lanes & Broadway Lanes. He participated in several tournaments. Throughout most of his bowling years, he carried a book average of 190 or more.

He participated in baseball leagues and tournaments. He was also known to be as good a golfer as he was a bowler.

Steve was also a lover of music and played the drums very well. He and his friends had many jam sessions over the years.

Steve was also a quiet man and an adventurer. He liked quiet solitude and enjoyed nature and backpacking which lead him to venture off alone to places like the Grand Canyon.

His love of nature led to many hours fishing in rivers or out hunting ducks. It was his alone time, his quiet time, and where he found peace.

His best partner in life was his cherished dog, Stu, who loved him unconditionally and who could always be found by his side.

Steve was a huge help and support to his family with the care of his father in later years.

Spending time making chocolate chip cookies, playing the drums or going off on some adventure with nature were some of his favorite moments with his grandson Javante, who was the love of his life.

Steve leaves behind his mother, Gladys Burres; his daughter, Katie Burres; his grandson, Javante Burres Achane (Allison Hannah); great grandchildren, Aubree and Javante Jr.; granddaughter, Jamya Spears; brother, Gary Burres (Roxie) and sister, Jennifer Goodner (Dan); several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Don Burres, and his dog, Stu.

Services will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street, Eureka, at 11 a.m. Afterwards, there will be a short graveside ceremony at Ocean View’s Camellia Garden, and then a celebration of life will follow at The Pink Lady, 202 M Street, Eureka.

GRANT RUFUS WELTY
Chicago, Dec. 8, 1943 — Arcata, Dec. 26, 2022

On December 26, 2022, in the arms of his sons Luke and Nate, with the love and thoughts from the panoply of those he touched, Grant Rufus Welty departed this mortal coil to join the countless friends already waiting to welcome him to his next home..

Grant was preceded in passing by his father, Leamon “T. Texas Tom” Welty. His mother, Selma “Sally” Welty and his brother James “Jimmy” Welty. He is survived by his daughter, Christina Lynn Welty, stepdaughter Michelle Welty, granddaughter Lauren Styffe and great-grandson Jordan, as well as his son Luke A. Welty and stepson Nathaniel “Nate” Irvine.

Although Grant was born in Chicago, he was raised primarily in St. Louis MO and traveled extensively in his youth & throughout his life with many ribald & sketchy adventures to relate he lived the majority of his last 45 years, here in Humboldt County, which he dearly loved.

Every person who met Grant will have a special story about the time they shared.

Grant naturally made everyone feel recognized, respected, welcome and special. That was his gift.

One of the most caring and humble people you could hope to meet and those who did understand the gravity of the loss of Grant Welty.

His presence caused intoxication
Passion so fierce, a conflagration
This king who never sought a throne.
Often his enlightened conversation
Brought clouded minds to elevation
An angel, no longer shackled to this stone
His boundless heart a celebration
Endless cause for jubilation
When near his sphere, you never felt alone
Selflessness, knew only caring
Give you the shirt that he was wearing
Unhesitant to share his home
Blessed by the virtues he was bearing
Love for all kind was he declaring
Now high above hear trumpets blaring
Earned Heaven’s comfort, path’s been shown…

He created art that will last generations, and so he will live eternally through his images.

He made music that brought harmony in so many ways.

He taught me and so many others, in ways great and small.

The man was a giant and will be dearly missed.

A Remembrance/Memorial gathering will be held 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Samoa Women’s Club, 115 Rideout Ave. Samoa on Sunday, February 26th, 2023. Doors open at 12 noon, close at 8 p.m. Informal refreshments / potluck. (Taco Bar plus any refreshments you choose to bring.) For more information or to volunteer your help please text Michelle (707-223-3322) or Kelly (575-202-2169).

On December 24, 2022 Gary Joel Cudney passed away at St Joseph’s Hospital.

Gary was born April 17, 1956 at General Hospital to Fred and Mary Cudney. As a child he liked to spend his time climbing trees and fishing on the pier. He attended Eureka High School where he enjoyed his friends and the FFA. Upon graduation, he served in the United States Air Force.

After the Air Force, he served as a firefighter before moving to the medical field as an LVN for over three decades. He loved his Oakland Raiders and his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

He is survived by his five brothers and three sisters, his four remaining children, and 10 grandchildren. May he rest in peace in Heaven with his mother and father and his first-born child, Joel Christopher Cudney.

A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held later this spring.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Gary Cudney’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

December 5, 1957 - January 18, 2023 at 9:20 a.m.

Becky Lynn Lilly peacefully passed at the age of 66 in Eureka. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

Becky loved to cook, garden and be outdoors hunting or fishing with her family while living in Scotia when her children were voung. Beckv would also volunteer at Scotia Elementary. Later in life she moved to Fortuna, where she was a stay-at-home mom who loved her children, neighbors and pets. Becky was very social and could talk to just about anyone.

Becky was preceded by her parents Douglas and Thelma Dickson; brothers Mike, Harold, and David Dickson; and her daughter, Katrina Marie Amber Lilly.

She is survived by her husband Oscar Lilly, sister Barbie and her two children Justin Lilly, married to Jessica Lilly, and Sierra Valadao, married to Virgil Valadao, as well as eight grandchildren: Zack, Larissa, Shiley, Mataya, Zayden, Dominick, Nakota, and Bryce.

The viewing will take place January 20, at Ayres Family Cremation in Eureka at 11 a.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Becky Lilly’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

UPDATE, Friday, 3:30 p.m.: Assistant Police Chief Bryan Stephens tells the Outpost that the pedestrian is hospitalized, but is in stable condition. 

There were no indications that the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the driver was not arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

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Original post: Traffic on Broadway is impacted after the driver of a vehicle struck a pedestrian near the intersection of Henderson Street a few minutes ago. 

A reader of the Outpost, on the scene, says that the victim is breathing but is clearly badly injured. First responders are currently attempting to care for the patient.

The driver of the vehicle, who spoke with a witness, said that the pedestrian “came out of nowhere.”

Avoid the area if you can. Traffic is down to one lane in either direction.

We’ll have more on this tomorrow.

FURTHER READING:

• Yurok Tribe Nets Big State Grant to Build Youth Center in Weitchpec
• County Chief Financial Officer Tabatha Miller Leaving for Finance Director Job With the City of Arcata
• Jury Finds Fortuna Man Guilty of Sexual Assault of a Child