Camille Marie Kopriva Regli
July 18, 1938 - January 14, 2025

Camille Regli, a beloved mother, grandmother, friend, and artist, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on January 14, 2025, in Fortuna. Surrounded by her loving family, Camille passed after a long battle with lung complications caused by Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and a recent battle with multiple myeloma.

Born on July 18, 1938, in Bowbells, North Dakota, Camille was the oldest of five children, growing up during the transformative years of World War II. During the war the family moved to Key West, Florida where her father taught navigation in the navy. Her family’s journey took them across several states, finally settling in St. Maries, Idaho, where she completed high school. This is when Camille thought she’d create her own nickname that sounded “cool” and began to call herself Cami. She also enjoyed skiing in the Idaho winters and swimming in the warm summers. She worked for two years as a lifeguard at the St. Marie’s town pool.

Camille lived in six different states before turning 20, including North Dakota, Arizona, Florida, Montana, Idaho and California. Camille soon pursued her academic dreams at Humboldt State University and later at San Francisco State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology in 1960.

During the summer of 1958, while Camille was home in Fortuna, her roommate Pat Regli introduced Camille to her older brother Joe, her future husband, who had returned from serving in the Army in Germany. The couple married on September 17, 1960. Camille worked as a lab technician for St. Joseph Hospital until their first child was born, in 1961. Together, they raised five children on their family dairy farm, Seawood Jerseys, where she dedicated herself to motherhood, community involvement and feeding calves on the dairy.

One of Camille’s most difficult challenges came during the devastating flood of 1964, when both the dairy and the lower level of their home were submerged. With four young children under five years old, including an infant Bernadette, Camille always recalled a man in a “frog-suit” coming up in a boat to the window to rescue the children. Luckily, the children could be with local family and friends while she undertook the daunting task of cleaning up. The local nuns helped the family during this time by purchasing baby formula, donating funds to help repair the floor, furniture and other damages. Unfortunately, during the flood the family lost their prized dairy bull and several other animals.

Camille was an active participant in the Ferndale Booster Band, involved in P.E.O., a docent at the Ferndale Museum, a 4-H leader, and a chaperone for ski club trips, continuing to ski well into her 70s. Once Camille started painting she became very involved with the Humboldt County art community and was a member of several art organizations.

Camille discovered her passion for painting in 1975, taking classes at College of the Redwoods and co-founding the Ferndale Arts Cooperative in 1990. Her oil paintings, particularly showcasing the scenic beauty of the Ferndale Valley, won numerous awards and can be found in many homes throughout Humboldt County. A devoted community member, Camille managed the Fine Arts Building at the Humboldt County Fair for many years. She also traveled extensively, creating numerous paintings capturing her adventures with family and friends.

Camille cherished family gatherings and time spent with friends, including her beloved card groups. On any given day Camille could be seen cheering on her grandchildren at sporting events, FFA competitions and 4-H activities. Above all, as an active member of the Assumption Church, Camille loved our Lord and was a practicing Catholic. From daily mass to praying the rosary, her devout faith inspired her friends, children, and grandchildren.

Camille is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Regli; her parents, Eugene and Dolores Kopriva; brother Jim Kopriva; sister Karel Perras; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Eileen & Wes Simpson; brothers-in-law Dick Cahill, Vance Caswell, Jimmy Regli; and in-laws Antone & Elizabeth Regli.

Camille is survived by her children: Michael (Sally) Regli, Jim (Susan) Regli, Rebecca (John) Leveille, Bernadette (John) Church, and Dennis (Denise) Regli.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sarah Jean Regli, Kaitlyn (Chris) Rye, Tyler (Taylor) Regli, Rachelle (Barrett) Moore, Dominic (Mary) Regli, Genevieve (Matthew) Ruby, Seth Regli, Gianna Regli, Renae (Reece) Oliver, Brian Leveille, Amanda (Colton) Brodt, Tanner Church, and Kayla Regli; great grandchildren: Blakely & Barrett Brodt, Isaac, Marcus, & Patrick Rye, Emilia Regli, Emerson Oliver, and Rosemary Moore, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister Mary Caswell, brother Andy (Joanne) Kopriva, brother-in-law Phil (Harlean) Regli, sister-in-law Pat Cahill, and brother-in-law John (Sally) Regli.

All are invited to attend a Rosary on February 14 at 7 p.m. and funeral mass on Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. both at Assumption Church in Ferndale. A lunch reception and Celebration of Life will follow the funeral at the Ferndale Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

1. Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa, P.O. Box 1297, Santa Rosa, CA 95402 for support of the Special Project interest: 1st Daughter House in Ferndale, California
2. Assumption Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1097, Ferndale, CA 95536.
3. Alpha-1 Foundation, 3300 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida 33134  (link).
4. St. Vincent de Paul: Redwoods Council, 35 W 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501

In loving memory of Betty Jo Bussard
October 15, 1935 – January 17, 2025

Betty passed away at home on January 17, 2025 at the age of 89. She was born to Marion and Tressie Ingle on October 15, 1935 in Minatare, Nebraska. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Bussard, of 14 years, and her sisters Vivian Jensen and Lola Keefer.

Betty graduated from Pescadero High School as valedictorian of her class. She was a waitress for many years in Redding and Alturas before moving to Happy Camp and assisting Ralph in the meat department at Larry’s Market. She was active in the Lion’s Club, Booster Club, CB Club and Eastern Star. She then moved to Eureka in 1985, where she became a window design consultant for JC Penney. She received numerous customer service awards and perfect attendance recognition and retired in 2000. Except for a short time in Nampa, Idaho, she lived in Eureka until her death.

She loved going to Samoa beach and watching the ocean. She was president of the Reno Bowling League at Harbor Lanes for many years and later would go with her daughter to watch and cheer everyone on. Betty was an avid and competitive card player. She enjoyed her iPad games, watching the Gameshow Network and Hallmark movies.

Betty is survived by her children, Edward (Cindy) Aristo of Stanwood, Wash., Donald (Barbara) Aristo of Winnemucca, Nevada, Debra (Timothy) Richie of Eureka, Calif., Stephen (Rana’) Bussard of Yreka, Calif., Danny Bussard of Helotes, Texas, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, along with her brother Dale Ingle of Canby, Ore., sister Wanda Prickett of Nampa, ID and several nieces and nephews. Betty will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be at Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka, on Saturday, January 25 at 9:30 a.m. with graveside services immediately following at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice in her name

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

Donald Allyn Wente Jr.
Aug. 8, 1957 – Dec. 23, 2024

Born August 8, 1957, in St. Louis, Missouri to Donald Allyn Wente Sr. and Rebecca Vise Tilinski, Don passed peacefully from his earthly life on December 23, 2024, in his home in Arcata, with two of his most beloved friends by his side.

Don grew up in St. Charles, Missouri and the neighboring towns of St. Peters and O’Fallon, Missouri. He spent the last two years of high school at McCluer High School in Ferguson, Missouri and graduated in 1975.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Rebecca and Fred Tilinski, St. Peters, Missouri, his sister Trisha Cox, Roswell, Georgia, and her three children: Austin (Erin), Ryan (Holly), and Chloe. Other remaining family are half-sister Karen (Scott) Lusch, his stepbrothers Bill (Glenda Lovell) Tilinski, Bob (Kim) Tilinski, Ed Tilinski, Brad (Vickie) Fugate and his stepsisters Ann (Scott) Howland, Judy Fugate, and Debbie (Martin) Grabanski. Eight cousins from the Wente family survive as well as his best friends in Missouri, Dave and Kathy Hoffman.

His surviving friends in Humboldt County who were like family include April and Gene Joyce, Riley Quarles and wife Kathy Statzer, Randy Klein and wife Mary Blair, Christy and Aldaron Laird, Alexandra Stillman, Karole Ely, Jaffa Duggan, Connie Stewart, and Kristine Long.

Don was preceded in death by his father, Donald Wente Sr., and his stepmother, Clare Malaway Wente.

Don had a normal childhood for a Midwesterner. His early years found him sensitive to the needs of others and ready to defend the underdog. His friends were very important to him. When baby sister Trisha came along, Don was excited to be an older brother. He wanted to be the caretaker and was quite disappointed when his sister developed a mind of her own. He loved to fish and was a good shot, sometimes bringing home small game which he always cleaned and prepped himself, never expecting anyone else to do it for him.

After graduating high school, he opted not to attend college, had temporary jobs, and ultimately decided to join the US Coast Guard, which took him to California. He trained at Alameda, and eventually was stationed at Eureka, about 115 miles south of the Oregon border. After completing his tour, he returned to Missouri for a while, but he missed the natural beauty of the North Coast, its bay, rivers, beaches, and mountains. He realized that he wanted to make his home in California. He drove to Humboldt County, spent time in Trinidad, and eventually went to work for Kelly and Thonson Printing Company in Arcata.

During his over 30 years as a mostly continuous resident of northern Humboldt County, Don Wente made his home primarily in Arcata, except for short durations when he resided in Trinidad, Eureka, and McKinleyville. He loved the Arcata community and environs, walking the trails at Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, hiking up in the Redwood Community Forest, and spending time with his friends, most of whom lived in Arcata. He did diverge from residing on the west coast around 2010/2011, when he decided to return to Missouri to spend time with family. He travelled to Georgia and Tennessee and stayed in O’Fallon and St. Peters before returning to Arcata. Except for occasional trips to Missouri, Arcata is where he lived for the remainder of his life.

It was a tradition in Don’s maternal grandfather’s family to have one’s own business and that was in Don’s makeup. Don excelled in a diversity of areas. His art form was graphics and sign painting, and he operated the business Pacific Lettering for years on the Northcoast, painting signs for local commercial venues and realtors. He was also skilled as an exterior and interior painter, in building and construction, and worked as an indie contractor in property upkeep undertaking a wide variety of tasks as an all-around repair-person on multiple levels. Don was also employed part-time, in the aughts, by Arcata Exchange Furnishings Store, Arcata Stay Lodging Network, and Stillman Properties.

Don could aptly be described as an avid outdoorsman who delighted in fishing, skiing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, birdwatching, biking, and spending time along rivers and beachcombing at the ocean. He also loved to play pool and listen to music, favoring the American singer-songwriter genre of artists such as Emmylou Harris, Iris De Ment, Bonnie Raitt, the Avett Brothers, and others. Don’s favorite song was “No Hard Feelings” by the Avett Brothers.

Don was typically a quiet individual who exhibited an enigmatic personality and could be inscrutable at times, preferring the outdoors to the indoors, quietude to cacophony, isolation to social interaction. However, he could be lured out of his reclusive tendencies by his close friends inviting him on a nature adventure, out to lunch with “the dudes” or to small social gatherings. Among his friends, though seldom loquacious, he would relax and enjoy himself. His most favorite things to do with a group were boating, backpacking, and camping. Don took pride in his personal appearance, keeping well-groomed and stylishly dressed, and he also kept his home and workspace tidy, organized, and nicely appointed. He enjoyed a good read and appreciated poetry. He was sweet-tempered and a kind and thoughtful friend.

Throughout his life, Don lived with a kidney condition, and he stoically accepted the reality that he would have to deal with compromised kidneys at some point in his life. His condition worsened in his 50s to the point that he made the decision to go on dialysis three days a week. Don was indefatigable in attending his Monday, Wednesday, and Friday dialysis sessions at the Eureka Dialysis Center. Over 10 years, he forged close relationships with his fellow dialysis patients and the staff who supported them. Don registered for a kidney transplant and was considered an ideal candidate, but sadly, a transplant never manifested for him, due to COVID complications and other circumstances.

Don became quietly contemplative near to his passing. He embarked upon a journey to evaluate his life and what he had experienced and accomplished, embraced how blessed he had been to have had precious time with friends and family who loved him and accepted him unconditionally, and treasured the joy imbued in him whenever he ventured out into the natural world. Don Wente left his life in a state of thankfulness and contentment. In the days prior to his passing, he expressed to precious family and friends words that were not easy for him to say, but that he needed them to know. Those words were “I love you.”

Don’s Arcata remembrance will occur at a private gathering in the spring of 2025.

In remembrance of Don, a memorial commemoration gift may be donated to Friends of the Arcata Marsh, online at their website arcatamarshfriends.org, or by mail to P.O. Box 410, Arcata, CA 95518. This non-profit is a steward to Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, a place near and dear to Don’s heart.

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

Kevin John Flannery left this world December 2, 2024. He has gone to be with his boys Waylon (Oak) and Ezra (Ezzy). All three are deeply missed. If you knew them you know that they were True Humboldt Folks, True OG’s. They all shared the same laugh, the same love for their friends, and a deep love for this place and what it provides.

Kevin is survived by his brothers, sisters and relatives back in Jersey, as well as his former wife and mother of his boys and her partner, Sherri and Rick, who loved Kevin unconditionally.

Kevin was born in Jersey on September 12, 1950. He was a survivor and he held on as long as he could. He discovered Humboldt/Trinity Counties back in the “heyday” mid-1970s. He fancied himself a rebel, an outlaw and a true Dead head.

His health began to decline over the past few years. He suffered from several strokes as well as multiple falls related to the strokes. None of this ever stopped him from telling stories, reminiscing, talking about the good ol’ days and laughing. Laughing that unforgettable laugh.

A friend who saw Kevin near the end said that, “he looked at me with those Kevin eyes,” and with no words, he told me he was leaving “to be with his boys.”

Old Man Kev was a father figure to many of the Humboldt/Arcata kids back in the day. Before cell phones when we spent all of time outside, in the woods or at the river. “The good ol’days” He was the old man, but he was always one of the boys, always there hanging out and telling those unforgettable stories. He is loved and missed by many.

There will be a celebration of Kevin’s life at Moonstone Beach on Saturday February 1 at 2 p.m. All are welcome. Please bring your best Flannery story to share.

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Humboldt Bay Fire is finally making its way out of a two-year staffing crisis.

At last night’s Eureka City Council meeting, Humboldt Bay Fire Chief Tim Citro provided an update on the department’s current staffing challenges, which began in 2022, and ongoing recruitment efforts. Citro said the department has filled all but three of its full-time staff positions. Now, he’s focused on “positional vacancies” and training much-needed drivers.

Citro | Screenshot

“[T]he lack of drivers in our organization is what’s really creating some of the staffing shortages that we have,” he explained. “So, when talking to our battalion chief of training and our training captains, we are prioritizing getting those firefighters trained up to drive to fill those positional vacancies because each engine company or truck company has to have at least one captain, one engineer and one firefighter.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, fire departments across the country have struggled to recruit and retain employees. Between 2022 and 2024, Humboldt Bay Fire lost 17 employees, including several high-ranking staff, to higher-paying positions with the Arcata Fire Protection District and other agencies in the Bay Area, forcing the department to implement temporary rotating closures at its five stations. 

“We’re still recovering from [the staffing crisis],” Citro said. “We’re going to be hiring three entry-level firefighter positions starting in February of this year. We’re scheduling interviews for two weeks from now, and we currently have a list of 14 qualified applicants for three positions. That is not great, but it’s not bad.”

When Citro started his firefighting career in the late ‘90s, he said he was one of 600 fledgling firefighters applying for a job at Humboldt Bay Fire. He’s hoping to boost recruitment through the department’s two-year Cadet Firefighter Program and the Fire Fighter 1 Academy at College of the Redwoods.

“That will give us our own internal hiring pool of local people, so we don’t have to go statewide to try and recruit firefighters to come up here,” he continued. “It’s a really good program and it’s taken off.”

Councilmember Scott Bauer asked Citro to explain how rotating station closures impact response time. In most cases, response time is increased by about one minute, Citro said. 

Councilmember Kati Moulton thanked Citro for the presentation and shared a charming story about a recent interaction she witnessed at the grocery store.

“I was in Winco the other day and I saw a firefighter in uniform … and I kept running into them around the store,” she said. “As I was waiting to check out, I noticed that there were two little kids stalking one of the firefighters, like, following him around. They were telling their dad, ‘Dad, there’s a firefighter in the store!’ and they were so excited to see firefighters in uniform. I just wanted to remind our firefighters and anybody who’s thinking about becoming a firefighter, that you’re straight-up superheroes.”

After a bit of additional discussion, the council agreed to receive and file the report but did not take any additional action on the item.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• ‘Unprecedented’ Staffing Shortage Forces Temporary Rotating Closures at Humboldt Bay Fire Stations
• LOCO INTERVIEW: Humboldt Bay Fire Chief Opens Up About Ongoing Staffing Crisis, Losing Employees to Other Local Fire Districts, and the Future of the Department

Press release from College of the Redwoods:

College of the Redwoods is proud to announce that the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) has reaffirmed the College’s accreditation for the next seven years. This exceptional accomplishment follows a rigorous evaluation process, including the submission of an Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), supporting materials, and a Peer Review Team Report based on a site visit conducted on September 17, 2024.

CR President Dr. Keith Flamer praised the collective effort, saying, “this achievement is a testament to the dedication of our entire college community to meet accreditation high standards. It is especially noteworthy that we received neither Compliance Recommendations nor Recommendations for Improving Institutional Effectiveness. This is an exceptional achievement and one that makes us all incredibly proud.”

These findings signify that College of the Redwoods not only meets but exceeds accreditation standards, with no deficiencies or areas requiring correction identified by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). It reflects the institution’s strong operational foundation, and outstanding performance in planning, decision-making, and delivering quality education. This is a rare and commendable outcome, and it positions the college as a model for best practices in accreditation.

Dr. Peter Blakemore, Accreditation Liaison Officer, and Sean Thomas, the lead writer of the ISER, were instrumental in this effort. Their meticulous work and dedication ensured that the College presented a comprehensive and compelling case for accreditation.

Board of Trustees President Colleen Mullary emphasized the significance of this milestone stating, “a 7-year reaccreditation report with no recommendations for compliance is not only an achievement to celebrate, but a bright recognition of the exceptional dedication of CR’s faculty, staff, and administration to students and to the community-at-large. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we applaud this accomplishment and thank all for the hard work that goes into the accreditation process.”

College of the Redwoods’ next step in the accreditation process is the submission of a Midterm Report, due on October 15, 2028. A comprehensive review will follow in 2031.

For more information, visit the College of the Redwoods website, where the ISER, Peer Review Team Report, and the ACCJC’s action letter has been made publicly available in accordance with Commission requirements.

On July 10, 1951 this world received an angel. On January 7, 2025 that angel got her wings and we got an angelic star in the Heavens. Barbara Ann Coutant went home to be with her heavenly Father and passed family. Barbara passed at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka surround her husband, Bill; son Jon Hughes (Kelly); daughter Heather (Richard); grandson Chris (Mercedez); granddaughters Jessica and Jordynn; daughter Nora; Bill’s sister Tami Shaw; nephew Joshua Shaw.

Barbara was the first born of James and Nancy Ross in Fairfield. Barbara grew up in many places because her father was a civil engineer for a large construction company. His work took the family all over the country. Barbara graduated from Carlisle High School in Pennsylvania in 1969. She moved to Long Beach to go to college. She married her first husband and moved to Iowa. They had two children Jon and Heather Hughes. They divorced after heather was born. Barbara, Jon and Heather moved to Virginia for work. When the work did not work out she sent Jon and Heather to live with her ex-husband and moved to Sterling City to help her aunt take care of her grandmother. Her grandmother got better and Barbara moved to Napa looking for work and lived with her aunt Lola and Garry Ross.

While in Napa, Barbara met Bill Coutant, He became the love of her life. They marred on June 29, 1985 and spent 39½ wonderful years together. In 1998 they moved to McKinleyville. That year she was diagnosed with cancer. She had several surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. She beat the cancer. But the radiation damage was not diagnosed until years later. In 2020 she was diagnosed with end stage renal disease causing her to start dialyses.

Barb was a survivor, and started home hemodialyses, with Bill as her caregiver. They were able to travel with this system. We went camping, flew to Denver, Texas, Nashville and Claremore. Barb loved life and family. She was known to many as Aunt Barb. She loved to sewing, tole painting and many more hobbies.

Barb loved to cook. Barb was the first one to volunteer to cook incredible meals to feed an army. Why cook for two when she could cook for 10 or 20? When Lauren, her niece, got married she was up making gallons of gravy and biscuits for a hungry crowd for breakfast at Larry and Mel’s house. When she and Bill would come for Thanksgiving Barb always had a special dish to make. That is where we learned to like Brussels sprouts!

In 1964, Barb transition made the seamless from favorite babysitter to big sister of Penny (Howard) and Tim (Ross). As big sister, she helped them over the years make sense of hard decisions needed her. Their parents had to make, provided counsel for life events, and always had room in her heart.

As Aunt Barb to Penny’s two daughters, she made time to do fun things like actually play on the equipment with the girls at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. She made gifts and listened to them as if what they had to say was important (because to them, it was).

It was obvious to all who knew her that Barb had room in her heart for so many, because she only had love in her heart, and with love, there is always room for more people.

Barb, may you now be free of pain in heaven. We love you to the moon and back forever and ever.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Humboldt, and please get scanned for cancer.

Services will be held on February 8, 2025 at 11 at the Church of Latter-Day Saints located at 1660 Heartwood Dr., McKinleyville.