Delno (Del) Malcolm Shuster was born April 14, 1939 and passed to Creator on November 20, 2022.

In 1981 Delno meet the love of his life on a blind date. In 1984 Delno married Gloria and moved to Humboldt County, which became his permanent home. Delno is survived by his wife of 38 years. Gloria; stepchildren Linda Ogburn Gillette (Jeffrey) and Richard Nelson, whom he loved as his own children, and they loved him the same and unconditionally; grandchildren Barbara Ann Ogburn, Ricky and Cory Nelson (Maria); great-grandchildren Dylan, Trinity and Elizabeth Nelson, Noah Martinez, Ariana Combs. His granddaughters. Barbara Ann and Trinity were the “apples of his eye”. They both loved their grandpa so much.

Del was a welcomed member of Gloria’s family from the beginning, and he was accepted into her Native Yurok culture and extended family, and he treasured all that it offered. Del loved attending Native American functions. In fact, Del was a very social man and loved going places and attending any type of function. He never missed a sporting event or activity that his grandchildren were participating in. Del and Gloria loved to travel and looked for any excuse to leave town. Del had a heart of gold. He was a very kind man and never spoke a bad word about anyone. Del loved everyone unconditionally. We are all better people because of his love for life.

A couple of Del’s most treasured and talked about memories were his weekly Sunday breakfast at the Blue Lake Casino or Peppers with Gloria, Florene, Perky, Sandra and whomever showed up. When Del flew to Southern California for his cancer treatments at the City of Hope he stayed with this granddaughter, Barbara Ann, during this time. This was perfect for Del and Barbara because Barbara had just gone through what her grandpa was now going through. She took him to every appointment and treatment and was able to put him at ease through the whole treatment process. During his visit they had the most wonderful time. They went out to eat all the time, went shopping and he loved getting to meet her friends and being around the good-looking girls.

Del was a long-haul truck driver prior to moving to California. In 1988, Del retired from the Oregon Air Force National Guard after 32 years of service. He traveled to Portland, OR. every month for his guard duty until his retirement. He was Co-owner/manager of the SHC Laundromats (Summer Street, Henderson Center & Cutten Plaza) in Eureka. He ran these businesses until the day he passed. Del was able to repair anything that you put in front of him and developed his strong work ethic from working in his father’s family business in Idaho from a young age.

Del was born to Wayne and Velma Shuster in LaGrande, Oregon. In 1946 the family moved to Ontario, Oregon and in 1951 moved to Fruitland, Idaho. Delno graduated from Fruitland High School.

Del is also survived by sisters, Opal Shuster of Boise, Glenda Peterson of Cheney., Wash. and sister-in-law Sharon Shuster of Omaha, Nebraska., his first wife Beverly, son Monty (Sheila) Shuster of Grove, Oklahoma, daughter, Rebecca Cordell (Jeff) of Caldwell, Idaho. and family. He leaves behind by many nieces, nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sharilee and brother Douglas and Stepdaughter, Diane E. Nelson and dear friends Barbara and Ernie Prater.

The family would like to thank his care provider Max Rousselot and the staff at UIHS for all the years of medical care he received, The City of Hope, St Joseph’s Hospital and Hospice of Humboldt for the excellent care they provided during his last days. We also want to thank Del’s niece and partner, Pamela Lewis Wickard and Arnie Wysocki, nephew Koiya Tuttle for all they have done for the family.

Visitation will be at Sanders Mortuary, 1835 E. Street, Eureka CA from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, immediately prior to the services which will be held at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Oceanview Cemetery, 3975 Broadway, Eureka, CA. Reception will follow immediately after at the Red Lion Inn, 1929 4th Street, Eureka, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Ct, Eureka, CA. 95503 or a charity of your choice.

###

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

“Raine” was born on April 10, 1962 and she graduated her earthly journey on September 2, 2022.

After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in February 2021, she chose to embrace the opportunity to inspire and encourage others. Being a person of extremely strong spirituality, she was unquestioning of God’s plan for her. Raine had faith that her cancer journey served a higher purpose and met it with grace.

For many years, Raine owned and operated “Right as Rain” Enterprizes. She prided herself in a hard day’s work, as well as being able to outwork anyone. No job was too big or too small. Her favorite jobs were outdoor jobs that seemed insurmountable to others.

Raine never met a stranger and made friends everywhere she went. The last couple of years, she was quick to share her journey with others, usually resulting in hugs, tears, and a blessing. She has family in Oregon, Idaho, and California. Rains had a circle of “sisters”, she affectionately called “Team US”. We were a team of “sisters” that loved her unconditionally and vowed to help her complete her time on earth. Her sisters included Jody Honsal, Tami McCanless, Anna Marie Tomasini, Shawna Bryant, and Cori Cooper (to name a few!).

Rainy also praised her St. Joe’s oncology team, who went above and beyond for her. They made her feel extremely loved and blessed that they were part of her “team.” Special shout out to oncology nurse Beckie McCanless, who gave us all endless love and support throughout this journey.

Raine was an extremely unique individual, complete with the most colorful language, funny sayings, and a radiant smile. She had many stories of her crazy adventures. She loved fiercely and completely and expected that in return. Loyalty was key to her.

Raine chose to face her final days very privately. Surrounded by her closest sisters, she was quiet and reflective. We worked hard to honor her wishes, as well as keep her comfortable. Thankfully, she was able to end her earthly journey surrounded by love and in the comfort of her own home.

Anyone wanting to honor Raine’s memory, please plant a flower or perform an act of kindness.

Rainy had one hell of a F**king ride!!!

###

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

Born December 11, 1934, died Aug. 21, 2022, in McKinleyville, at the age of 87 years and 8 months.

Barbara was born in Eureka to Erwin and Anna Papke. She was the third of four siblings. She attended Saint Bernard’s Catholic Grammar school and Eureka High School, graduating in 1952. She married Gerald (Jerry) L. Spellenberg in June 1955. She met Jerry at a dance at the Loleta Firemen’s Hall in December of 1952. Her sister, Julia, introduced them after deciding he was not the one for her. Barbara was 18 at the time, having just had her birthday one week before the fateful dance. They celebrated 67 years of marriage in of June of this year.

She loved animals and gardening. She was that girl who always wanted a horse, and that dream came true at age 28. Her first horse was Ginger, a sorrel mare. Over the years several other horses came through the family, Red, Shorty, Trampas, Georgia, and lastly, Dilly. She was a life member of the Northern California Horsemen’s Association and enjoyed camping with family and friends at Cuneo Creek Horse Camp near Dyerville., and attending rodeos with her daughters, Lisa and Lesley who were members of Pegasus Patrol Drill team during their high school years. In addition, every summer she would take her four children plus a friend and/or a cousin to Showers Pass and we’d camp for two weeks at the end of August. We often stayed at the cabin on Jerry’s Uncle Russell’s ranch, or at the Spellenberg family property called Rottenwood, camping in an old WWII army surplus tent. Jerry would come for the weekends after work but the rest of the time it was mom and the kids. We had wonderful times riding the horses, fishing and floating down the Mad River, and playing cards. War was a favorite card game. She was a farmer at heart, raising vegetables, chickens, ducks, and rabbits.

Later in life she always had a small vegetable garden until she broke a hip and could no longer get down in the dirt. We kids would pick blackberries each summer, and mom would make blackberry jelly and pies. She and dad travelled a bit after dad retired. They took a road trip around the western United States, visited Baja, Mexico with their friends while camping along the way in their travel trailers, visited Hawaii with her sister Norma and husband Bill, took several trips to Germany to visit her cousins near Frankfurt and attend reunions with Jerry’s distant cousins near the Black Forest, and toured Guatemala with daughter, Lisa and friends. The last big trip was on their 60th wedding anniversary, traveling by cruise ship to Alaska with the family. She enjoyed her Friday night ladies dinner group with Peggy, Shirley, Joy, Cathy, Janet, and daughters Lisa and Lesley and also their monthly potluck and pinochle games.

She is survived by her husband Gerald, her four children, Lisa, Lesley, James (Teena) and Gerald Louis (Debbie), her seven grandchildren: Mark (Sammee), Stacy (Mike), Rachelle (Larry), Jamee, Jessica (Robert), Jason, and Katie (Rob), and her six great-grandchildren: Aria, Melina, Daxton, Blythe, Carter, and Granger, and her two sisters, Julia (John) DeMartini, and Norma Dye, and nieces and nephews: Michele, Paul, Jean, Angela, Jack, Cathy, Eric, Jeff, Denise, Robert, Carrie, Penny, and Sandy, as well as cousins and friends too numerous to list. She was preceded in death by her parents Anna and Erwin, her brother William Papke (aka Uncle Buddy), her brother-in-law Bill Dye, and sister-in-law Patricia Costa and niece Dana.

At her request, no funeral services were held. Please remember the good times you enjoyed with Barbara and know that she enjoyed each and every one of her family and friends.

###

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

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 29, 2022, at about 2:27 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 200 block of Corbett Ranch Lane near Carlotta for the report of a home invasion armed robbery.

According to the victim, three unknown suspects forced entry into the residence. The suspects reportedly brandished a firearm, then bound and physically assaulted the victim. While at the residence, the suspects reportedly stole several of the victim’s belongings, including a safe, tools and the victim’s truck. The victim sustained minor injuries from the assault. 

The suspects fled in a black, lifted 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Truck, CA License Plate Number 56588E3.

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this case, including the location and identity of the suspects, or the location of the stolen truck, is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Today is #GivingTuesday, the wholesome response to the proliferation of spending “holidays” like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Instead of buying more junk in a desperate attempt to fill the void within, today you are being asked to give back to the nonprofits in our community that make this place special.

Nonprofits are indispensable to the vitality and success of the North Coast. From rehabilitating injured wildlife (shoutout to the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center) to providing food to those that need it (thanks, Food for People!) to advancing environmental protection (a gratuitous mention of my own nonprofit, EPIC), nonprofits do the work that needs to be done. You probably interact with nonprofits and not even know it. If you have ever yelled yourself hoarse at a Humboldt Crabs game or taken an in-law for a cruise on the Madaket, you have benefitted from local nonprofits.

Right now is a challenging time for nonprofits. Stimulus money helped buoy many groups during the worst days of the pandemic. But a general economic malaise has donations down. While nonprofits are tightening our belts, even in the best of times there isn’t much fat on our bones. In lean times, our community relies on nonprofits more heavily. While nonprofits do more with less, inflation impacts us the same way it does you and the cost of serving our communities has increased too. If you are able, now’s an important time to donate to your favorite nonprofit. I, for one, am making a donation today to the Humboldt Animal Rescue Team in the memory of my recently departed cat, Little Foot.

Not only will your donation sustain the nonprofit institutions, but it will make you feel better than if you spent the money on yourself. Seriously, there is hard science to back this up. A 2006 peer-reviewed study utilized MRI imaging to see how our brains react to charitable giving. Giving triggers the reward center of the brain, resulting in reaction similar to other stimuli like food or sex, and a flush of dopamine and oxytocin released. Giving is also contagious. A 2010 study found that giving has a multiplier effect. You are more likely to inspire others to give. And it doesn’t end there. The correlation extends to three degrees of separation — your behavior can influence a third person’s behavior that you’ve never even met!

So give! Be bigger than yourself! And enjoy the blast of oxytocin that comes with supporting the nonprofits that make Humboldt great.

###

Tom Wheeler is the executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center.

Nancy Kaye Delaney
November 17, 1950 - November 22, 2022

Nancy died on November 22 in her lifelong home of Eureka. She was born November 17, 1950. She graduated from Eureka High School in 1968 and earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Speech Communication from Humboldt State University in 1972, followed by a Masters in Speech Communication in 1973. She then attended Hastings Law School in San Francisco, where she met her husband, Walter. They settled back in Eureka where they were both highly respected attorneys and eventual partners at Mitchell Law Firm (then Mitchell, Dedekam and Angell). They were also attentive and adoring parents to their three daughters, Erin, Mary and Catherine. After Walter’s death in 1993, Nancy continued her parenting and law practice with equal fierceness and brilliance. She worked for more than 40 years altogether at Mitchell Law Firm, representing many individuals and entities in Humboldt County. Throughout this time, she deeply valued her decades-long friendship with colleague Kathy Radford.

Nancy was a singular person who made a lasting impression on all who knew her. Later in her life she developed a passion for woodworking, and she could often be found wielding her favorite power tools and offering to build all manner of creations for family, friends and coworkers.

She is preceded in death by her parents James F. Delaney and Billie J. Zink, stepfather Harvey L. Zink, brother John W. Zink, husband Walter J. Carter, and beloved aunt Jackie R. Grenfell. She is survived by her daughters Erin (Orly) Carter, Mary (Steve) Carter, and Catherine (Kodie) Boyer, her sister Kori Chase and nephew Shiloh Chase, her brother Shawn Delaney and niece and nephew Marie Delaney and Joe Delaney, her sister Karen Delaney Neves and niece Lauren Neves, cousin Connie Nielsen, cherished grandchildren Jonathan, Catherine, and Charlotte, and many other treasured brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Nancy was an incredibly loving and generous figure in so many people’s lives. We will miss her always. There will be a private family service in the coming days followed by a celebration of life (details pending) after the holidays. In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a donation in memory of Nancy may do so to Eureka Rescue Mission, PO Box 76, Eureka, CA 95502.

###

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

On November 19. 2022, we lost our beloved best friend, husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather, Galen Duane Willfong, after a short and courageous battle with Stage IV Glioblastoma. Although this aggressive brain cancer took him from us to soon and at such a young age it does not define the person who Galen was in life. With the devastating progression of his cancer over the past 6 months we found it crucial that we keep our BLESSINGS in check along the way. We were given cherished time, although short, to share our most precious memories with each other, our family and our friends.

Galen and I met and soon after became best friends when I was 15 and he was 20. After I graduated from high school, on September 12, 1987 I became Mrs. Galen Willfong. This day would prove to be just the beginning of many, many of the happiest days we will share in our life together. We slid into our new roles naturally and Galen quickly adapted to his new nickname, “Baby.” He didn’t think twice when others referred to him by that name as well. We would always laugh when someone called him Baby without even knowing his real name. Since we have spent more years together then we have apart my definition of who he is, is hard to minimize for all of you but I will do my best.

Galen (Baby) was born on October 9, 1963 in Arcata to Patricia and Duane Willfong. He grew up in Westhaven, going through the Trinidad School District and on to McKinleyville High School, from which he graduated in 1981. He starting working for his dad’s logging business, Willfong Logging, at the age of 15 and at the age of 23 (the year we married) he was hired to pull green chain at Schmidbauer Lumber Co. in Eureka. Baby had a great passion for the outdoors so working in the timber industry was all he knew and loved. He always enjoyed sharing his knowledge of timber with me. We would be on our Sunday afternoon drives through the mountains, deer hunting, or while out cutting wood and he would say he wished he could bottle the sap and make a perfume for me and then proceed to tell me what kind of wood it was and any additional characteristics he knew about it.

In 2015, he started working for Efficiency Delivery, where he was employed up until this May when he received his heartbreaking diagnosis. He enjoyed his early morning starts and the many friendships he made along his delivery route around town and in Crescent City. His work schedule with Efficiency gave him the freedom and flexibility to be a domestic God for me and to help care for our then six-month-old grandson Mason in the afternoons. Both brought him joy and contentment, it was a win win for all.

Baby was a dedicated 49er fan with hopes to take his grandkids to a game as we enjoyed doing.

Through the years, the school functions, sports events, family vacations, traditions and holidays these were always high lighted memories for Baby that we will continue and honor. About 15 yrs ago prior to becoming empty nesters, one of Baby’s new found hobbies was prospecting. We would often spend our weekends camping and/or taking road trips to the river with his sluice, gold pans, ice chest filled with his favorite beer and my palapa/ beach bag in hand all with hopes that “EUREKA” would be the word of the day and could be heard from him miles away. Needless to say the “EUREKA” part never happened, but you would never have known as he showed his excitement with filling his glass vials with what gold he did find. He said his love for gold panning is what makes him so fond of the Gold Rush cheerleaders … ok baby (wink, wink).

Baby and I made a FABO team and did everything together. Gardening was another joint pleasure we called our “dirt therapy”. Getting his (our) hands dirty planting a big beautiful vegetable, herb and flower garden in the backyard every spring was a delight we both looked forward to every year. In keeping it real, I will say he did all of the hard labor and prep that would provide the foundation for our farm to table and he did it with such a sense of satisfaction and pride. Sharing our excess bounty with others always put a smile on his face. He also took on being the family grill master and would grill (BBQ) our breakfast, lunch and dinner when given any opportunity. He liked getting creative. Baby was a hard worker no matter what the task and set that example for his family.

Along with all of the precious milestones that come with parenting over the years having his kids all together and filling the room with laughter and music were some of his fondest moments of being a parent. The night before he passed we believe he was at peace hearing the kids together in the kitchen doing just that.

He is survived by the luckiest wife he has ever known, Christine Willfong, his daughter Mackenzie Helms, and sons Colton (Ashley) and Garrett (Amanda) Willfong along with his beautiful grandchildren Penny and Oliver (Mackenzie) and Mason (Garrett and Amanda). In addition, 10 yrs ago after a evening babysitting job, Galen took on the privilege of being Unk to a very special young man “Monkey” (Dominic), who was just 6 weeks old at the time. The two shared a very special bond that will be held close to all of our hearts forever.

As the saying goes “not all blood is family and not all family is blood.”

He is also survived by his father Duane Willfong and his sister Shanell (Simon) Beyzade and their three daughters Jayda, Tibel and Ashkim.

He is proceeded in death by his grandparents Einar and Norma Olson, my grandparents Frank and Sara Ashby and most recenty his mother, Patricia Willfong, with whom I’m sure he’s enjoying a long overdue cup of coffee with without interruption.

We have been beyond blessed with having so many amazing people on this journey with us, my heart is so full and I will never forget any of you. My family and myself will never be able to express our complete GRATITUDE for the amount of love and support we have received from, but not limited too, his neurologist , Dr Z and medical team at CPMC in San Francisco (both Davies and Van Ness campuses) they were our home away from home for 21 days. Dr MacDonald and his radiology team. Dr Ng and his Oncology team, his acute therapy team at CPMC and Providence in Eureka. Dr Fratkin and his Palliative/Resolution Care team…you ALL amaze me daily with the care you provide.

All of these people that I have mentioned were our biggest cheerleaders and encouragement in rooting us on in meeting one final goal that Baby and I prayed we would get to share….celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary on September 12th and….WE DID IT BABY…WE MADE IT!! We shared this priceless achievement with a precious weekend in Gold Beach just as planned. Although priceless, It was bitter sweet knowing this would be our last vacation, but…WE MADE IT BABY!!

Baby’s time on Hospice was short, however the guidance, confidence comfort, strength and support we were given by his nurses, Sadie and Pam, (DeAnne, Katie, Kristen and Travis) helped us to embrace what was ahead. EVERYONE has shown me such care and sensitivity during my emotional struggles with being a daily caregiver as I watched my soulmate decline.

To our loving family and dear friends, God Bless you all for being by our side with anything and everything like a rock!! A heartfelt thank you for your thoughtful texts, calls, visits, cards, flowers, monetary donations and the yummy meals that fed and continue to feed our family on the days when we need it the most.

My dearest friends Rachel and Rene, you two will never know the impact you have made on Baby, myself and our family since the moment I called you on May 14th with the news from CPMC. I know your work isn’t done as I enter this new chapter and for that I am forever grateful. We all love and appreciate you both more then you will ever know.

Baby,

I love you every second, of every minute of every hour of every day. The Willfong name lives on and though you might be gone you will never be forgotten.

Please come celebrate Galen’s life with his family and friends this Saturday December 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. located at a private residence, 2522 Dragonfly Place, McKinleyville.

A sentimental thank you to Hannah at Arcata Florist for becoming a customer turned friend to Baby. As you share your kindness, beautiful floral work and fond memories we appreciate you.

###

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