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About half of Blue Lake’s water storage has been caught in limbo during years of negotiations between the city and a beneficiary of the trust that owns the land it’s stored on.

The city may move this week towards taking 1.89 acres of land through eminent domain, following a lengthy series of problems in lease negotiations to access a 400,000 gallon water tank and other key city-owned public water infrastructure.

In response, a trustee of the property has filed a lawsuit seeking $1,375,000 from the city.

A lingering easement deal with Blue Lake resident Erin McClure seemed finally resolved earlier this year. She sought an updated agreement after a century-old lease expired over a decade ago.

The council agreed to an easement deal in April, with the city paying her the first annual fee of $6,000 to kick off the agreement.

The deal would have come with a lump sum of $60,000 and free water, in exchange for the city’s continued use of the tank and water infrastructure that date back to the early 1900s from when McClure’s ancestors developed the city’s water system.

But negotiations hit another snag this spring, according to the city’s account. To get title insurance for this easement, something attorneys for the city deemed essential, McClure and other beneficiaries needed to sign written consent to the transaction.

Attorneys cited concern that McClure may not have the authority to execute the easement deed under the trust’s terms.

However, according to the city, McClure refused to coordinate the other beneficiaries to sign off on the easement.

“McClure stated she is unwilling to obtain beneficiary consents, will not seek court approval, and will not even provide her own written consent in her capacity as a beneficiary,” according to a city council meeting staff report.

But from McClure’s position, the agreement was already executed, according to a city account.

After multiple unsuccessful attempts to get her cooperation on the insurance issue, and the subsequent official termination of the proposed deal earlier this month, the city manager is now asking the council to cease negotiations and start the process of purchasing about 1.89 acres including the tank site, waterline, access road and pipes through eminent domain.

“The City’s goal has always been and continues to be that we reach a mutually agreed upon negotiated agreement with Ms. McClure, and the City will continue to participate in good-faith negotiations as part of the proposed [Uniform Relocation Act] acquisition process,” Blue Lake City Manager Jennie Short wrote the staff report.

“However, if agreement cannot be reached, or if the property owner continues to be unable to provide insurable title, the proposed process can culminate in action by the courts to grant ownership of the tank site with easements to the City while ensuring that just compensation is paid to the property owner.”

Tonight, the council will consider contracting with a real estate law office for property appraisal and acquisition of the site. The council is asked to authorize $25,000 for property acquisition.

In a letter, the law office indicates it “will attempt one final settlement prior to initiating condemnation proceedings.”

McClure’s lawsuit, filed in Humboldt County Superior Court Friday, claims the city has refused to enter into a lease after over a decade of attempts.

The lawsuit claims the water tank issue has diminished the property value of the 75-acre ranch by $500,000, deprived McClure from using her property, which has allegedly sustained damages of $878,000.

McClure has also taken to Facebook, accusing the city of bullying her for over a decade.

“I’m standing up for all the American people who are threatened in this way. At some point somebody needs to put their foot down. I’ve been willing this entire time to do what was best for both the City and McClure Trust,” she said in a message to the Outpost.

“For over 100 years my family had a lease with this City without problems. My goal was to carry on in the same manner but the City wanted something else. Now here we are. This is not good for anyone. The American people are tired of having their property taken. I hope I can make a difference.”

The item is on the meeting’s consent agenda, typically approved without discussion.

The meeting is Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in Skinner Store with a Zoom attendance option. Click here for the full agenda.

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PREVIOUSLY: Yurok Tribe to Become First in the Country to Co-Manage Land With National Park Service Following Historic Return of Tribal Property at Orick Mill Site

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Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

ORICK, Calif. (July 28, 2026) – Save the Redwoods League transferred 125 acres of land in the heart of Yurok ancestral territory back to the Yurok Tribe through a transformational agreement that prioritizes tribal land-management practices, creates a new public space and permanently protects critical salmon habitat. 

“This project represents a truly just approach to the restoration of culturally important landscapes and tribal communities. I hope it sets a national standard for collaboration between environmental protection groups and Tribal nations,” said Joseph L. James, the Chairman of the Yurok Tribe. “I sincerely thank Save the Redwoods League for working with the Tribe to make this dream a reality.”

“‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway shows what is possible when people come together with a shared commitment to healing the land and honoring its history,” said Steve Mietz, President and CEO of Save the Redwoods League. “What was once a degraded and abandoned mill site is now full of life again—a place where people can connect with the majesty of the redwoods and the living culture of the Yurok Tribe. We are deeply honored to support the return of this land to its rightful stewards.”

The ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway and Restoration Project creates a new tribally owned and operated recreational area on Prairie Creek, a Redwood Creek tributary located off U.S. Highway 101 at the base of Bald Hills Road in Orick, Calif. Save the Redwoods conveyed the property to the Yurok Tribe on June 30, 2026. 

The space, known as ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway, will open for recreational access on August 1, 2026, in Orick, Calif. at the southern end of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). Information about ‘O Rew is available at https://o-rew-redwoods-gateway.square.site/.

This park-like property features an information kiosk resembling a traditional Yurok house and interactive interpretive exhibits driven by Yurok perspective and language in both audio and written formats. These exhibits and amenities provide opportunities to learn about the restored landscape, the Tribe’s culture and its reciprocal relationship with the redwood ecosystem. Additionally, there is a pedestrian plaza with lunch tables, ADA-accessible trails and an elevated vantage point offering a panoramic view of the restored site and surrounding forest. 

The freshly laid trails introduce a new segment of the California Coastal Trail and connect with RNSP, providing easy access to some of California’s most prolific old-growth coast redwood stands, including the popular Lady Bird Johnson Grove. ‘O Rew is now an ideal place to spend quality time with family and friends, while learning about the Yurok Tribe’s connection to this land. The Yurok Tribe will be hosting public and private events and programs at ‘O Rew for the tribal membership, local communities and the visiting public. 

In the near future, the Yurok Tribe aims to construct a cultural center further highlighting the distinct history and living culture of the Tribe and the extraordinary natural, cultural, and recreational resources of the region. The Yurok Tribe also plans to build a traditional village on the site, including plank houses and a sweat house. 

Restoring ‘O Rew

Save the Redwoods League purchased the property in 2013 with the intent of restoring a severely degraded section of Prairie Creek and expanding recreational access and connectivity in the area. It was covered by 20 acres of asphalt from a former lumber mill and an 80-acre cattle pasture. The stream channel was reduced to a trench flanked by invasive plants. In 2021, after more than five years of collaborative planning and design, Save the Redwoods, the Yurok Tribe, California Trout and numerous other local agencies, professionals and partners began a five-year restoration of Prairie Creek and construction of the Gateway. 

“When the mill operated on this property, it was a source of conflict for the Yurok people. Now, it is a point of pride and a place where our people feel welcome,” said Yurok Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer Rosie Clayburn Katri. “I’m really excited about what this property will look like after a decade of Indigenous land management.” 

The ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway and Restoration Project presents one of the very few opportunities in rural Northern California to see the evolution of a large-scale stream restoration project. Over five years, the Yurok Tribe Construction Corporation and Yurok Fisheries Department built a one-mile-long braided channel, two off-channel ponds, 20 acres of wetlands and 20 acres of upland habitat designed by more than a dozen groups with restoration expertise. The Yurok Revegetation Crew planted nearly a half-million native seedlings in the ground, spanning 50 species, including redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and many other native plants to facilitate the restoration of highly productive fish and wildlife habitat. As the native plants and trees mature, the stream will appear as though it had never been disturbed. 

Prior to attempted colonization, North Coast streams were filled with downed trees. Beavers, natural tree mortality and heavy storms constantly dropped wood into the creeks, which in turn created dynamic habitat types required for peak fish production. The restoration crew installed numerous large wood features in the stream. The whole logs, coupled with the creek’s hydraulic force, create deep pools, scour fine sediment, improve water quality, slow flows, recharge underground aquifers and create cover for baby fish. 

Hundreds of endangered juvenile coho salmon, along with western pond turtles and great blue herons, are already using habitat created early in the project. The restoration site is also attracting bears, elk, deer, condors, waterfowl, songbirds, wading birds, raptors and riparian predators such as belted kingfishers, an important indicator of good water quality.

About ‘O Rew

During the mid-1800s, there was an attempt to forcibly remove Yurok people from their homeland, to expedite exploitation of the region’s natural resources, such as salmon and old-growth coast redwood trees, many of which were milled at the ‘O Rew property.  Throughout this devastating period, the Tribe lost more than 90 percent of its land, including ‘O Rew and nearby Owr-rekw. For decades, the ‘O Rew property served as a stark reminder of this tumultuous era. However, it is now a place where Yurok people can reconnect with the land and feel at home for the first time in generations. 

Before Save the Redwoods League purchased and conserved the site in 2013, for more than 50 years, it operated as a lumber mill. While the mill was in operation, large portions of the land were paved over, and much of the natural channel and floodplain of Prairie Creek was buried. For more than 10 years, Save the Redwoods partnered with accomplished restoration experts, including the Yurok Tribe Construction Corporation and Fisheries Department and California Trout, to plan and undertake a full restoration of a critical stretch of Prairie Creek on the site for the benefit of federally listed coho salmon and steelhead. 

The Yurok Tribe’s participation in the ‘O Rew Project is part of a long-term effort to reclaim and restore culturally important landscapes across its ancestral territory. 

California Secretary for Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot said, “The Yurok Tribe has cared for these lands since time immemorial, and today’s milestone honors that enduring relationship while opening a new chapter of stewardship for future generations. The return of ‘O Rew is a powerful example of what’s possible when conservation is guided by tribal leadership, and California is proud to support this work alongside the Yurok Tribe and Save the Redwoods League. We hope this serves as a model for how partnership can strengthen both people and the places we cherish.”

The ‘O Rew Redwoods Gateway and Restoration Project was funded by the following: Save the Redwoods League, California State Coastal Conservancy, California Wildlife Conservation Board, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, California Ocean Protection Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Foundation and The Cantus Foundation. California Trout and numerous local professionals and partners have provided essential expertise in the planning and implementation of the project.

It is with deep sorrow and broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful daughter Marissa Antoinette Lopez, who left us on July 7, 2026. Marissa — a beautiful soul and treasured daughter — found eternal peace at the tender age of 30. May she eternally rest in the sweet arms of Jesus Christ.

Marissa was born in Pasadena on May 7, 1996 to proud parents Sheryl Ann Borodinsky and Robert Caballero Lopez Jr.

Marissa spent her early years in Frazier Park, California and her adolescent and teen years in Las Vegas. She went on to move to Sonora, California and then to Eureka.

Marissa was very talented in many ways. She enjoyed skateboarding, camping and playing football with her brothers when she was a young child. She had the nickname “Misha Fisha” & “Fish” by her closest friends and family. She was called “Littlebear” by her mom and she called her mom “Motherbear” and her dad “Fatherbear.” She later adapted the nickname “Senor” to her beloved father in her teenage years.

Marissa played percussion in her high school band at Desert Oasis High School in Las Vegas, where she graduated from in 2014. Marissa had a passion for music at a very young age and it followed her throughout her life.

Marissa played drums and guitar in her spare time and was always tapping on everything with her drumsticks. She carried her drumsticks everywhere she went and was always tapping a tune. She enjoyed going to concerts and watching bands play live. She saw many bands play live while living in Las Vegas. It was something she loved to do and was a special bond between her and her mom.

Marissa was a lover of animals and was always feeding and loving strays. She had a beloved cat named Buddha from age 4 to age 25. Her first job right out of high school was at a local Veterinary Hospital in Las Vegas.

At the age of 20 Marissa moved to Sonora, where she worked in the local jail as a cook. At the age of 25, Marissa ventured out on her own to Eureka. Marissa loved the coast and also had a deep love for the Redwoods. She loved the fact that one direction was the beach and the other was the forest.

Marissa loved serving and protecting others as she was a security guard at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and was also a carrier with the United States Postal Service. Marissa was hardworking, dependable and always put her best foot forward. Marissa was always trying to help others and put others before herself.

Marissa was loving, caring, selfless and witty. Those who knew her loved her and knew the beautiful woman Marissa was. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

Marissa is survived by her mother Sheryl Ann Borodinsky, her father, Robert C Lopez Jr. aka “Senor”, sisters Madeline Marie Lopez, Marlena Martinez, Dolores Alcantara, brothers Daniel S. Argueta, Fredy S. Argueta Jr. Aunt Lisa Aguilar, uncle Armando Aguilar Sr. , Aunt Michelle Antoinette Buono, who Marissa was named after, cousins Bobbi Jo Evans, Armando Aguilar Jr. and Gloria Lorraine Davis and many more cousins too many to list but whom she loved.

My heart is broken. I will miss and love you until I see you again in heaven. Marissa, you will forever be my “Littlebear” and I will forever be your “Motherbear.” I love you, my beautiful daughter.

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

Sharron Lea Anglin, age 73, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by friends and family, on July 3, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a devoted wife, sister, daughter, aunt, great-aunt and friend whose kindness and quiet, unwavering love touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Sharron was born in Eureka to parents Billy Lee Boyd and Patsy Ruth Roff on July 15, 1952. She was proud of her accomplishments as a Girl Scout and often reminisced about the time she spent at her grandmother’s home in Hoopa with her older sister, Terry, and younger sister, Mary. After graduating from Eureka High School, she continued her education by studying business administration at College of the Redwoods.

Nearing the end of her high school years, Sharron’s friends, Scott and Diane, set her up on a blind date at a local football game, where the hometown team played hard and won by a landslide. Like the visiting team’s players, her date, Ken, didn’t stand a chance. He was immediately smitten with Sharron’s beauty, sharp wit and quiet nature. It was no surprise that Ken’s family fell for Sharron just as quickly as he had, though they were initially surprised by how naturally they balanced each other. Ken’s outgoing nature and gift of gab were perfectly counterbalanced by Sharron’s keen listening skills and attention to detail. After a short courtship, Ken asked for Sharron’s hand in marriage, and they were married at the Episcopal Church in Eureka on June 17, 1972. Sharron chose Disneyland as their honeymoon destination because of the cherished memories she had of visiting there with her grandmother as a child.

Ken and Sharron built a life of adventure and companionship. Every season of the 54 years they spent together brought surprises, new sights to see and something new to learn. Their devotion to one another became the foundation for how they navigated life’s curveballs. When Ken was replacing the old aluminum wiring in their first home, you could find Sharron in the next room, her curls held back by a red bandana, with a paintbrush or sander in hand. The way they fixed up that house is how they built their life: always together.

That togetherness wasn’t bound to just the two of them. As they blended their families, Sharron sought out ways to bring together everyone they loved. Thus, Sharron’s famous dinner parties were born. No one ever left her table hungry, and no one ever left wondering whether they were welcome. Anyone lucky enough to be invited to one of Sharron’s dinner parties could attest to her impeccable planning, signature dishes like Chicken Divine and delicious home-baked desserts. 

Sharron lived a life beautifully balanced between adventure, hard work and the simple joys of home. She became the trusted expert and steady presence everywhere she worked. From her years as a teller at downtown Wells Fargo to the decades she spent at Pierce Mortuary and Sanders Funeral Home, where she earned her certification as a funeral director, she approached every role with quiet competence and genuine care.  Sharron often carried a bit of the “Wizard of Oz” about her, quietly orchestrating plans and working her magic behind the scenes - whether pulling off epic adventures with lifelong friends or simply keeping the books balanced at Anglin Secondhand. 

During her much-deserved retirement, Sharron could be found guessing the culprit in a British “whodunit”, baking a new dish, caring for her mother, spending time with her sister and traveling with lifelong friends to a new destination. In the years just before her passing, Sharron found a new passion in sewing and quilting. As with everything she did, Sharron took the time to meticulously learn the craft and became an avid quilter in no time. In just a few short years, every family member and friend had a beautiful quilt specially crafted just for them, with some of the first quilts being specially embroidered with adorable forest animals for the small children in her family. 

Sharron was a natural planner and organizer, effortlessly coordinating everything from family gatherings to the smallest thoughtful details. She had an uncanny knack for remembering every birthday, anniversary, favorite meal and meaningful milestone, making the people she loved feel celebrated year after year. While she wasn’t one to spend hours on the phone, her door was always open. She delighted in welcoming friends and family into her home, where conversation came easily and everyone felt at ease. Whether she was hosting loved ones or simply heading out for the day, Sharron took pride in presenting herself with grace and style. She was always impeccably dressed and never passed up the opportunity to add a beautiful new pair of shoes to her collection.

Those who knew Sharron witnessed her quiet nature of offering understanding without judgment and making everyone who crossed her path feel genuinely valued. Sharron’s legacy is not found in grand gestures but in the countless quiet ways she made people feel loved. The family she so faithfully nurtured, the friendships she so intentionally cultivated, and the love she gave so freely will continue to carry her spirit forward. Though her presence will be deeply missed, those who knew Sharron will remember her every time they pause to celebrate another person, offer a helping hand, or choose kindness in the smallest of ways. In living as she did, she leaves behind a legacy that will endure for generations.

Sharron was preceded in death by her father, Billy Lee Boyd; her stepfather Eugene Donald Lake; her sister Terry Diane Boyd; and her great-nephew Christopher McLaren. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Kenneth Dixon Anglin; her mother Patsy Roff Lake; her sister Mary Lake Mitchell; her sister-in-law Kathy Wynands; her nieces and nephews, Annette McLaren, Jennifer McLaren, Joel Mitchell, Amanda Mitchell, Paige Morales, Erica Winn, Rain Hill, Danyelle Vowles; Chandra Wynands; her lifelong friends Monty and Anita Soulis and Richard and Charlotte Markwell; a host of loving great-nieces and great-nephews and many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were forever enriched by her love. 

A Celebration of Life honoring Sharron will be held on August 9, 2026 at 1 p.m. at 3854 D St, Eureka, CA 95503.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Sharron’s remarkable life, sharing stories and remembering the quiet kindness, steadfast love and thoughtful generosity she so freely gave to everyone around her. 

The family gratefully welcomes flowers for the celebration of life. Deliveries may be made to the address above prior to August 9. Those wishing to honor Sharron’s memory may also do so by extending the same thoughtful kindness and quiet acts of service that so beautifully defined her life. 

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

Max Lennon Sr. reunited with Carleen, the love of his life, on Thursday, July 16, 2026.

Born in Alton on August 17, 1935, Max lived in Humboldt County his entire life. He graduated from Hydesville Elementary School in 1949 and then Fortuna High School in 1953.

Max began his lifelong career as a heavy equipment operator working in the woods with Lennon Brothers Logging, running any piece of equipment that he could climb onto. Max strongly supported unionization and initiated with the Local 3 Operating Engineers Union on August 1, 1957, where he ran bulldozer until his retirement on December 1, 1996. Max was especially proud of working on the Warm Springs Dam that created Lake Sonoma from 1980 until 1982, and the US 101 Bypass of Prairie Creek in the early 1990s.

Max married Carleen Williamson in 1957 and they welcomed their son, Max Lennon Jr., in 1959. Max and Carleen spent 52 loving years happily married and he was ready to finally rejoin her.

Max loved his Cadillacs and “Cadillac Max” owned many throughout his life. On one occasion — pre-cellphone camera era — he even asked his niece Claudia and her husband Dave to take a look at the Cadillac dealership in Chico just to see if there was anything on the lot worth the trip over.

In retirement Max and Carleen travelled around the country whenever they could, exploring the Grand Canyon, Branson, Missouri and taking several cruises to Alaska and Mexico, often accompanied by his sister Darlene and her husband Huey.

You could always find Max at the poker table, playing for hours on his initial $40 buy-in. He was fortunate enough to hit a Royal Flush at the Bear River Casino and was grateful for the jacket he received in recognition of his good luck.

For a period of time, if he wasn’t milking that $40 for all it was worth at the poker table, Max was out on the ocean salmon fishing and throwing back silvers with his buddies Bob Johnson, Louis Lorenzo and Huey.

Max was able to pass away peacefully at his home in Fortuna. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, wife, son and granddaughter and is survived by his two sisters, grandson and three great grandsons.

We would like to say thank you to Hospice of Humboldt as well as Dave and Claudia Enns for all their support and guidance during Max’s final days. Your help has been invaluable. THANK YOU.

Norma Elaine Snodgrass, age 87, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, in Garberville. She was born on June 8, 1939, in Porterville, California, to Lee and Inez Jones.

Norma was the youngest of three children and was preceded in life by her sister, Pat Johnson, and her brother, Donald Jones.

Norma moved to Humboldt County, where she attended and graduated from South Fork High School. It was there she met the handsome Henry Harrell Snodgrass, the love of her life. They were married in June 1957 and shared a lifetime of love, partnership, and adventure while raising their three children: Laura Lea Frame (Ron), Vernon H. Snodgrass, and Sandra D Bonham (Rick).

After working for several local businesses, Norma and Henry bought the Yellow Dragon Machine Shop in the 1970s. Norma kept the office running with precision and dedication, handling the bookkeeping and countless behind-the-scenes details that helped the family business thrive.

Norma was a woman of many talents. She loved painting, sewing and quilting, was an avid reader, and found boundless joy tending her beautiful flowers.

One thing the community could count on every weekday was the familiar rumble of Norma’s beloved 1968 Ford Ranger as she faithfully delivered Henry’s lunch. Like clockwork, it became one of those small but cherished traditions that friends and neighbors fondly remember.

Norma was the devoted wife of longtime Redway Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Henry Harrell Snodgrass. She was much more than a firefighter’s wife — she was a steadfast supporter of the department and its members. For many years she volunteered her time, helped with community events and fundraisers, and became a cherished part of the Redway Volunteer Fire Department family.

Her dedication to children and her community extended beyond the fire department. Norma served as a Blue Birds and Brownie leader for her daughters and was a devoted room mother for many years, baking countless cookies, treats, and goodies that made school celebrations extra special for generations of children.

Norma treasured her family. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Laura Lea Frame (Ron), Sandra Bonham (Rick); her six grandchildren, Jonathan Frame (Beth), Jessica Frame, Leslie Morgan (Dustin), John Bonham (Megan), Jacquita Terrell (Josh), and Jacy Snodgrass (Wesley); her nine great-grandchildren, Cameron Frame, Jackson Ferry,, Brooke Bonham, Gavin Bonham, Derik Speaks, Kaycee Speaks, John Henry Terrell, and Annalise Terrell; and her great-great-granddaughter, Mabel Fisher.

She also leaves behind her lifelong friend from Hawaii, Donna Mae, and her dear neighbor and friend, Rosa Posy, whose friendship meant so much to her.

Norma was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Henry Harrell Snodgrass; her son, Vernon H. Snodgrass; her parents, Lee and Inez Jones; and her siblings, Pat Johnson and Donald Jones.

Norma’s kindness, quiet strength, generosity and unwavering love for her family and community touched countless lives. She will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and forever carried in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

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

Barbara Lynn Bareuther
Dec. 8, 1943 – July 22, 2026

Barbara was born to Ralph and Ruth Bareuther in Santa Clara, California and she grew up with her older sister Nancy and younger brother Rick in Palo Alto. Barbara was a classic “tom boy” growing up and enjoyed fishing and camping with her family at her grandparent’s property near Yosemite.

Barbara graduated from Los Altos High School in 1961 before attending Foothill College. In 1963, Barbara married Ronald C. Jenkins with son Timothy and daughter Sharon following along. The family moved frequently due to job demands in those early years and Barbara made every place feel like home for her family. In 1975, the family moved to Vandenburg Village where Ron worked for a contractor on the Vandenburg Air Force Base nearby. Barbara was an amazing mom who spent considerable energy being a room mother at the kids’ schools, a den mother for Tim’s Cub Scout troupe and a leader of Shari’s Camp Fire group.

As Tim and Shari grew up, Barbara decided to enter the workforce and began doing clerical work at the air force base. Her first day on the job, she was thrilled to find a parking spot right next to the front door of her new office. She was later informed that the parking spot belonged to an air force general and she should probably not park there again.

Despite the dramatic changes going on in her life, Barbara remained dedicated to her children and to being the best mom she could. After 15 years of marriage, Ron and Barbara divorced.

Barbara moved with Tim and Shari to Reno, Nevada to be near her parents. She met James Meadows and remarried in 1980, moving the family to his country property in Crow, Oregon. She worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Eugene and continued being an active presence at the kids school activities and cheering them along in sports and drama performances. Barbara and Jim divorced after a couple of years.

In 1984, Barbara married Harold (Hal) Fanslow. They moved to the Sacramento California area and Barbara decided to go back to college to finish her degree and get a teaching certificate. She taught 3rd grade in the Sacramento area and Tehachapi to kids who didn’t speak English despite the fact that she didn’t speak other languages. At that time, California taught kids in an immersion program where they learned English rapidly.

California eliminated the immersion programs and laid off teachers that weren’t bilingual, so Barbara was pushed out of the state to teach. During these years Barbara and Hal divorced, remarried and divorced again.

Barbara married Ronald Keller in 1992 and they remained married until her death. Barbara and Ron moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she taught third grade English as a Second Language to kids from all around the world until her retirement. Barbara was a dedicated teacher who adored “her kids” and took tremendous pride in their progress. She loved teaching third grade where the kids were “old enough to blow their own noses but young enough to not sass back.”

During these years, Barbara became a grandma seven times over and she couldn’t have been prouder. Despite living a distance away, she visited frequently and would send random “grandma care packages” to the kids just because. All of the grandkids have wonderful memories and stories to cherish about their grandma – she was a kick.

After retirement, Barbara and Ron moved to Roseville to be closer to Tim and his growing family. They lived there for a number of years before Barbara’s Alzheimer’s began showing itself as it did for her mother. Barbara and Ron chose to buy a house in Fortuna near Shari so she could provide more assistance as the care needs increased. Advancing Alzheimer’s is an awful slow-moving train wreck of a story so we will skip the details. Unfortunately, Ron was also experiencing his own mental health challenges at the time which were made that much worse by the pandemic lockdowns. The family had hoped that Ron would be a steady presence in the home who could assist Barbara as her memory continued to fail but circumstances intervened.

A conservatorship of both Barbara and Ron became immediately necessary and Adult Protective Services did what they could for which the family is grateful. APS referred them both to the Humboldt County Public Guardian’s (PG) office for a conservatorship but family members of Ron’s came to Fortuna and removed Barbara and Ron from the county before the PG could file papers. Ron’s family checked Barbara and Ron into a locked memory care facility in Rocklin despite not having any legal authority to place them and they restricted all family access to Barbara.

An epic conservatorship fight in the Humboldt County Probate Court ensued between Shari who had been designated by Barbara and Ron in their wills and living trust versus a previously unknown nephew of Ron’s who had hired a prominent local attorney. The Conservatorship of Barbara has been documented by Shari and her husband Steve on their local news website.

Judge Canning appointed this nephew as conservator despite the recommendations of the court investigator to not do that. To make a long story short, the Keller estate was completely drained within a few years and the conservator “resigned,” leaving Barbara and Ron as “wards of the county” under the conservatorship of the Humboldt County Public Guardian’s office.

Barbara’s health took a sudden and dramatic turn downward this spring as she was hospitalized multiple times for urinary tract infections. Her health never recovered and she began to deteriorate very rapidly. Through the extraordinary efforts of Cassidy Ross and Kelli Schwartz with the Public Guardian’s office, Barbara was brought home to Humboldt and to her family barely two months before she passed away. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the Public Guardian’s office, Timber Ridge and the caregivers who provided wonderful care to Barbara at the end. Thank you!

Barbara will be remembered by her family and all who knew her as truly one of a kind. She was uniquely gracious and had a talent for meeting people where they were. This made her an extraordinary teacher and a deeply loving grandma. She loved Christmas and enjoyed going out to see the Christmas lights and decorations around town. She was a kid at heart and it was infectious to everyone around her. Barbara hosted many family Thanksgivings and Christmases - she knew how to throw a great party! She had a great eye for decorating that is hard to describe but easy to recognize. She made the world a better place by her presence. She will be deeply missed.

Loving mother to Timothy C. Jenkins (wife Joann) of Newcastle; proud grandmother to Alexandria and husband Thomas, and Laura Jenkins. Loving mother to Sharon L. Wolff (husband Steve) of Rio Dell; proud grandmother to Marylynn and husband Casey, great- granddaughter Ellie, Richard and wife Sara, great-grandson Damiano, Shauna and great- grandson Walter, Michael and wife Kathryn, great-grandchildren Benjamin and Samantha, Steven Craig and wife Kiera, great-grandchildren Nathan, Jackson and Iris. Barbara is further survived by her older sister Nancy Zinos of Graeagle, Calif., younger brother Rick Bareuther of Sparks, Nevada and spouse Ronald Keller.

On a personal note, I see my mom every time I look in the mirror and I couldn’t be prouder. I get most of my best lines from mom who was one of the funniest people I know because she never tried to be funny. She was simply genuine and her enthusiasm was a joy to be around.

There is a lot more to be said and many stories to be shared to honor my mom and her legacy. More to come …

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