Nancy Letitia Griffin DuBois, born on July 22, 1923, to Clare and Florence Griffin of Ann Arbor, Mich., died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016. A graduate of Stanford University in 1944, and of Columbia University in 1945, she was a well-known psychologist in private practice in Davis. She was predeceased by her first husband, Dr. Miron Williams Neal, and by her second husband, Francis Beveridge DuBois. Memorial services will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, at University Retirement Community, 1515 Shasta Drive in Davis.

April 30, 1955 — Dec. 26, 2015

Ralph Harrington Finch died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015. He was born Saturday, April 30, 1955, in Sacramento and raised in Paradise. His parents were Paul Finch, a social worker, and Margaret Finch, a librarian.

In 1978 Ralph earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from California State University, and earned a master’s degree at UC Davis in 1980 in water resources engineering. Ralph worked for the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and the Bureau of Reclamation prior to joining the California Department of Water Resources in 1988. In March 2015, after 27 years, he retired from the Department of Water Resources. At the department, Ralph became an expert on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, building and applying software tools to help analyze the many issues that have affected the Delta over the years. He is remembered for his dedication and passion for high-quality work and inspired others to do the same. He continually strove for the best and through his work made significant contributions to decisions affecting water supply, water quality, and the ecosystem in California.

Ralph had a fascination with flight and aircraft since he was a boy; he just liked things in the air. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1975. He had a two-seater airplane, which he flew to Washington state, Southern California and Arizona, and the longest trip he made was Oshkosh, Wis. He was glad to bring delighted family and friends along, to share the open sky and aerial photos taken of the Delta were used in presentations at the Department of Water Resources. In 2008 Ralph started building his own single-engine airplane in the garage and kept an ongoing record of his progress, logging in almost 800 entries and over 2200 work hours.

Ralph’s generosity ranged from helping nieces and nephews through college, opening their home to exchange students and friends from Japan, China and France.

Ralph is survived by Marí-a Guadalupe, his wife of 30 years; brother Felix; sisters Cora and Ronica; and nieces, nephews and relatives in the United States and Mexico. Ralph will be missed by family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Davis Cemetery, 802 Pole Line Road in Davis. Those who wish to sign a guestbook online may do so at www.smith-funerals.com

Donations in Ralph’s name can be made to World Vision, worldvision.org.

Sept. 3, 1947 — Jan. 12, 2012

“The love of my life and best friend passed away on January 12 due to complications from breast cancer at the UC Davis Medical Center. Kathy and I started dating in junior high here in Davis and were married 49 years. How lucky I was to have this wonderful woman who shared her life with me.”

— Dave Whitmire

After receiving her teaching credential from UC Davis, Kathy spent most of her career teaching first and second grade for the Dixon Joint Unified School District; she retired from teaching in 2005. She was preceded in death by her father, James R. Douglas, in 1980 and her mother, Kathleen A. Douglas, in 2003. She is survived by her husband, David Whitmire of Davis; daughter, Leigh Choate and her husband Randy of Las Vegas; daughter, Jenifer Grocock and her husband Jamie of Rocklin; son, Brian Whitmire and his wife Ambur of Woodland; brother, Jim Douglas and his wife Sasha Harmon of Seattle and their son, Owen of Chicago; and grandchildren, Makena and Jacob Sherwood, Tatem and Tegan Choate, James and Jack Grocock and Brock Whitmire.

Friends will be invited to a memorial gathering in the spring.

Kathy was a loyal fan of Davis High volleyball and coach Julie Crawford. Remembrances may be sent to Davis High Volleyball, 315 W. 14th St., Davis, CA 95616.

Feb. 23, 1959 — Jan. 24, 2016

Maria C. Esherick passed away after a long illness on Jan. 24, 2016 at the age of 56.

She is survived by the love of her life and life partner Dr. David Ostrach, her beloved dog Anika, sisters Julie and Lisa; brothers Joe and Peter; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Ann and father Joe Esherick.

Maria was born in San Francisco, a city that she adored. She moved to Davis, where she received a bachelor’s degree from UC Davis in the graphic arts. Maria worked as a graphic artist and photographer. She had a great love of animals, nature, film and art. Maria moved to Woodland, where she met David and began a loving lifelong relationship.

Maria and David lived in rural Woodland in a home filled with animals, love, joy and happiness.

A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at McNary’s Chapel, 458 College St. in Woodland. A private celebration of life will follow the service for close friends and family.

Donations can be made in her memory to charities involving animals or women’s shelters.

d. Feb. 3, 2016

Raymand Howard Coppock of Davis died on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. He was 93 years old.

He is survived by Mary Ellen Coppock, his wife of 67 years, and by his son David Coppock of Princeton Junction, N.J., and his daughter, Susan Coppock of Woodland. His grandchildren, Julia and Andrew Coppock, are both married and live in New Jersey. He was preceded in death by his eldest son, Stanley Coppock.

Ray was born in Oakland in 1922. He grew up on a homestead ranch near Inyokern, a small town in the Mojave Desert. His parents were the only teachers in the two-room schoolhouse in town, and were his only teachers until 10th grade. An important part of his teenage years was a year spent traveling around the world with his parents and his brother, Bob.

He went to UCLA in 1941, his college years were interrupted by WWII. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 through 1946. He was a 2nd lieutenant, assigned to the 69th Infantry Division. He led a reconnaissance patrol team in France and Germany, and received a Silver Star for his actions. He was honorably discharged as a captain.

After the war, he returned to college at UC Berkeley, where he majored in journalism. He married Mary Ellen Symmonds in 1949. They settled in Madera, where he worked as a reporter, writer and editor for the Madera News Tribune. His first son, Stan, was born in Madera in 1951. David, his second son, was born in Merced in 1953, where he worked for the Merced Sun-Star.

In 1956 they moved to Davis, where he lived for the rest of his life. His daughter, Susan, was born in 1957. He worked initially for The Sacramento Bee, but was hired in 1960 as a communications specialist for the UC Agriculture Extension on the Davis and Berkeley campuses. His work included writing and editing, as well as teaching workshops on “clear writing.” Much of his work was transferring scientific and technical language into plain English, for newspapers, journals and task force reports.

In 1969, he was the director of a Peace Corps Training Group bound for Lesotho, Africa. He partially retired in 1987, but continued on as part-time editor and writer at the UC Agriculture Issues Center on the Davis campus until 2001.

In 2006, he moved into Glacier Circle Community, the first senior co-housing facility in the United States. He and his wife were founding members of this community, and have lived there ever since, surrounded by a close group of friends.

He was deeply involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis since the early 1960s. He served on the board of directors several times and was involved with programs, building projects, maintenance and landscaping. In 2001, just as he fully retired, the church was starting to build a new library, using volunteer labor. Ray spent almost every day on the project during the many months of construction, and he often said it was a great way to transition into retired life. He was still doing the biweekly mowing of one of the facility’s grassy patches until the very end. His many church friends and acquaintances were an important part of his adult life.

Ray also was a founding member of the Putah Creek Crawdads, a small musical group that grew famous in Yolo County for its down-home folk and Americana songs. The musicians have been a second family to him for more than 50 years.

His interests included reading and writing poetry, and he was very involved with the local poetry community. He spent 40-plus years doing dream work with a group of close friends. Ray loved being in the wilderness and grew up camping for months at a time with his parents. As an adult, he took many trips with his family and friends, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Range, Tetons and Alaska.

He and Ellen took many trips, mostly in their retirement years. They enjoyed exploring Hawaii, Europe, Canada, Egypt, Australia and New Zealand. Ray enjoyed tennis, bicycling, yoga, water aerobics and walking clear into his 90s. The week he died he was still going to weekly water aerobics and yoga classes, and walked every evening down the path by the West Davis ponds.

A memorial service for Ray will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27,  at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road in Davis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis.

March 10, 1951 — Jan. 24, 2016

Elizabeth H. (Betsy) Hart, 64, died of cancer Sunday, Jan. 24, in Sacramento at her board and care home, Family Affair, with the aid of Vitas Hospice during her ordeal. Born in Springfield, Mass., on March 10, 1951, she was a resident of Davis since 1959.

A special education student, she graduated Davis High 1970 and worked at Orange Court Cafe, McDonalds, Taco Bell and Tercero Dining Room at UCD and YES Sheltered Workshop in Woodland. She enjoyed bowling, swimming, camping, fishing, Special Olympics, Music Circus, Lake Tahoe, Disneyland, her pet cat “Tie Dye”, dog “Daisy,” and horse “Charly.”

Preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Kenerson Hart, she is survived by her father, Robert Alton Hart, Jr.; sister Bonnie Rush (Michael) of Kyle, Texas; and brothers Robert Hart III (Debbie) of Twisp, Wa., and William Hart (Wendy) of Lake Arrowhead, Calif.

A memorial service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Pole Line Baptist Church, 770 Pole Line Road in Davis, followed by a reception and refreshments.

Elizabeth Herndon, known by many as Liz, died peacefully in Davis on Feb. 10, 2016, following long battles with both Parkinson’s disease and neuroendocrine cancer. Born July 7, 1941, in Philadelphia, she was 74 years old. She lived in Davis for three years, and had been a Yolo County resident for nearly 22 years. She was loved by many customers of Denny’s on West Street in Woodland, where she worked during the 1990s and 2000s.

A burial service will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at the Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road. Rabbi Greg Wolfe will officiate. A gathering at the home of daughter and son-in-law Joy and Steve Cohan will follow immediately after; the address will available at the service.

July 15, 1962 — Feb. 5, 2016

Danielle Rae (Bush) Craig died on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Born in Chicago on July 15, 1962, she lived in Davis for 10 years, and formerly in Woodland.

She is survived by her mother, Karen Appleby of Tucson, daughter Nichole (Bush) Criner of Sedalia, Mo.; and son Michael Bush of Tucson. She was preceded in death by her father, David Bush of Chicago.

A celebration of her life will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Davis Stake, 615 Elmwood Drive. Interment will be in October in Chicago.

Frank Young died Wednesday morning, Feb. 10, 2016. He was 68 years old and lived in Davis all his life. Private services will be held at a later date.

Martha Carson Dickman died suddenly on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016. Born Sept. 21, 1923, to Anna and Wesley Clark of Missoula, Mont., she graduated from the University of Montana in 1945 with a bachelor’s degree in voice, and her love of performing, teaching others to sing, and generous contribution of her time left a legacy of appreciation during her 45 years in Davis. A Memorial Celebration will begin at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 13, in the Sanctuary Room of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis, 27074 Patwin Road.

July 7, 1941 – Feb. 10, 2016

Elizabeth Herndon, known by many as Liz, passed away peacefully in Davis on Feb. 10, 2016, at age 74, following long battles with both Parkinson’s Disease and neuroendocrine cancer.

She was born in Philadelphia and spent her early childhood in the suburbs; later, her family moved to Long Beach, where she graduated from high school, attended college and spent her young adulthood, welcoming her only daughter, Joy, there in 1966. She lived in Davis for three years, and had been a Yolo County resident for nearly 22 years. She was loved by many customers of Denny’s on West Street in Woodland, where she worked during the 1990s and 2000s.

She is survived by her daughter, Joy Cohan and her husband Steve, of Davis; grandsons Ian Cohan of San Diego, Colin Cohan of Boulder, Colo., and Aidan Cohan of Davis; sister Judith Young of Woodland; former husband James C. Herndon of Woodland; and stepdaughter Leigh Ann Smith and her husband, Randy, of Los Angeles, and their adult children Kristin, Ashley and Scott.

A burial service will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, graveside at Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road. Rabbi Greg Wolfe will officiate. A gathering at the Cohan home will follow immediately afterward; the address will be available at the service.

Smith Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations in Liz’s memory should be directed to Yolo Hospice at www.yolohospice.org, or the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road, Davis CA 95619.

May her memory be for a blessing.

Virginia P. McRostie died on Feb. 1, 2016. Born Aug. 10, 1927, in Columbus, Ohio, she was 88 years old. Family and friends are invited to a time of remembering her on Thursday, Feb. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the University Retirement Community Activity Room, 1515 Shasta Drive in Davis.

May 7, 1921 – Jan. 2, 2016

The daughter of first generation Germans from Russia, Carl Sieb and Catherine Vogel Sieb, Alma was born May 7, 1921, and spent her first years in a sod farmhouse in Nebraska, speaking only German when she started school. One of five siblings in a pre-war farm town, she valued hard work and home arts, and for all of her life remembered the boys who left for war and didn’t come back.

In 1942 she followed her fiancée, a Boeing engineer working on the Enola Gay, to Seattle where she worked and modeled at Best Apparel, now Nordstrom. She always treasured those years, the glamour of city life and her boarding house family. In 1948 she gave up her single-girl life and married Wilfred R. Olson, a young Army Air Corps captain, in a ceremony presided over by his father.

The couple and 2-week old baby Margo moved to Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1953 to start Wilfred’s surgical residency, where daughter Heather joined them in 1954. They returned to Seattle, but spent several years thereafter searching for a warm-weather home, finally finding it in Oroville, Ca, and spending summers at Lake Almanor.

After Wilfreds’s death in July 2000, Alma moved to Davis to be close to family. She was the most devoted mother and grandmother imaginable, always enthusiastic about everything from doing your laundry and driving the carpool to re-arranging your furniture and drinking your champagne.

Alma passed away at home on Jan. 1, 2016, at 94. She is survived by sister Kate McBride, daughter Margo (Lansing C. Stenson, deceased), daughter Heather Olson (Alfred Knoll), granddaughter Heather Ann Stenson (Michael Ebell), and grandsons Eric Stenson and Nathan Stenson. She also leaves 7 nieces and nephews who she thought were the most amazing people.

To her last day, Alma was still a girl and still liked to have fun. The family is very grateful to her wonderful neighbors and all those friends and caregivers who took time for her in her last year.

Aug. 19, 1940 — Feb. 11, 2016

David Bernard Rexroat passed away peacefully on the morning of Feb. 11, 2016, after a long battle against multiple infections, while being attended to by his wife and oldest daughter at home in Natomas. Dave was 75 years old.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Claire Rexroat, and his first wife, Shirley Anne Rexroat. He is survived by his younger brother, Roger Rexroat; wife, Shirley Kay Rexroat; three beautiful daughters, Valerie Rennie, Michelle Huffine and Stacy Dusseau; four stepchildren; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Dave was a Mason with the Woodland Lodge 81, a Shriner with the Ben Ali Shriners and traveled with the Bedouins. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family.

A celebration will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at the Woodland Masonic Lodge 81, 228 Palm Ave. in Woodland.

Oct. 10, 1918 — Feb. 12, 2016

Anne Guly, a 30-year resident of Davis, passed away on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016.

Anne was 97 years old, born Oct. 10, 1918, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to Ukrainian refugees. She moved with her husband and son to Anaheim in 1957, and subsequently to Davis in 1986 to be near her son’s family after her husband died.

Anne was a faithful wife of 48 years and a caring mother. She was always a positive person, of good character and behavior, and related easily with friends and strangers alike. She will be missed by those who knew her.

Anne is survived locally by her son, daughter-in-law, grandchild and two great-grandchildren, as well as by a sister and several nephews, nieces and their families in Winnipeg.

May 7, 1931 — Oct. 12, 2015

David Storm died peacefully after a long illness, at his home in southern France. He was 84 years old.

David grew up in Marin County and attended University of Nevada, Reno, where he played on the national championship basketball team that played at Madison Square Garden.

He was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959, and later taught at the Naval Academy. He was a consulting engineer for Tudor Engineering in San Francisco.

David came to Davis with his family in 1969 to receive his Ph.D. from UC Davis. He later started Storm Engineering, specializing in wastewater management. In the early 1980s David started Winters Winery after the Tri-Docs Home Wine Group, including Lowell Wilson and Rick Troy, won first place at the California State Fair.

In 2001, David and his wife Noni moved to the south of France where he continued to enjoy winemaking, gardening and especially cooking. He woke up every day “to another beautiful day in Provence.”

He is preceded in death by his sister Patricia Snyder and his granddaughter Soraya Ali. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Noni; children Timauri Holzl, Tyghe Storm and Todd Storm (Nancy); grandchildren Abaigeal Lloyd (David), Nathanal Holzl, Sasha and Nikolas Storm, and Jessica Dana Meehleib (Scott); and great-grandchildren Hayleigh and Dawson Lloyd.

Join the family on Sunday, Feb. 21, for a celebration of his life, with 11 a.m. Mass at St. James Church, 1275 B St. in Davis, followed by a gathering from 3 to 5 p.m. at the home of Todd and Nancy Storm, 2543 Caravaggio Drive.

Feb. 6, 1961 — Jan. 21, 2016

Donnya Marie Hafich of Woodland passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Sacramento after a short but valiant fight with recurring cancer.

She was born Feb. 6, 1961, to John Jr. and Elfriede Hafich in Columbus, Ohio, where they lived before moving to Fairfield. Donnya graduated from Armijo High School, Napa College and UC Davis, earning her bachelor of science degree. While deciding what to do with her life, she began pet-sitting for area clients and soon became the most sought-after and loved pet-sitter in the area.

Donnya had an adventurous spirit, loved to travel and had a passion for doing the right thing. She was a dedicated volunteer for Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue.

In addition to animals, she loved music (she wrote a special song for each animal in her care), sports, hedgehogs and In-N-Out Burger. She had a quick wit that was always guaranteed to bring a smile.

Donnya is survived by her special feline friend Sid, a cat she rescued and loved dearly. The people Donnya left behind include her mother, Irene; sister, Darlene; brothers, Donald, David, Daniel and Douglas; six nieces, five nephews and friends too numerous to list.

We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her love for life, family, friends and furry critters. She made a difference in the lives of many. We invite you to join us to celebrate her life on Sunday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at Davis Lutheran Church on the corner of Eighth and B streets in Davis. Please feel free to bring your pet or your pet’s photo! If you are unable to attend, in her memory hug a dog, feed a feral cat or drink a Mountain Dew!

Donations may be made toward the new Animal Sanctuary at Rotts of Friends Animal Rescue, 34505 County Road 29, Woodland, CA 95695.

March 15, 1928 — Feb. 14, 2016

Joanne K. Moldenhauer died at her home in Davis on Feb. 14, 2016, after developing ovarian cancer.

Joanne was born on March 15, 1928, in Omaha, Neb., to Edwin Carl and Kathryn Marceda Gatz. Because her father was in the U.S. Army during World War II, she changed high schools seven times, and she graduated from Benson High School in Omaha. In 1949 she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics at Iowa State College in Ames. For the next two year she taught mathematics and biology at Central High School in Omaha.

She became a teaching assistant in mathematics at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a master’s degree in mathematics in 1952. A recruiter from the General Electric Company persuaded her to work as an electrical engineer at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. During three years at G.E. she said she couldn’t get interested enough in her work to forget the time of day, and she returned to teaching. After a year at Central Park Junior High School in Schenectady, she came to Davis High School in September of 1956. She retired from teaching in 2006.

At a church function in Sacramento, Joanne met another Nebraska native, Leonard “Red” Moldenhauer, and they married in 1962. Red worked in civil engineering positions for the State of California for 18 years and the in private practice until he retired in 1998. He enthusiastically supported Joanne’s teaching habit until he died in 2002. Their church was a major interest for both of them. They became youth counselors at Davis Lutheran Church in 1966, and Joanne continued to be head counselor until 1996. Since that time she has worked enthusiastically with the Social Ministries Committee.

In 1961-2, Joanne began teaching AP Calculus, the first advanced placement class to be taught at Davis Senior High School. Over the years her students were very hardworking, and she was proud that many of them earned 5 on the AP Calculus BC examination. For six years beginning in 1978, the College Board invited her to be a reader for advanced placement calculus examinations, and she also conducted sessions for calculus teachers at College Board workshops until 1992.

As a result of student nominations, she received the Terman Award at Stanford University, the Harvey Mudd College Distinguished Teaching Award twice, and the Edyth May Sliffe Award from the Mathematical Association of America twice. In 1991 Cathy Carr West and Joanne were first participants in the Uman-Davis Sister City Teacher Exchange in Ukraine.

During her retirement, Joanne enjoyed attending concerts, especially those at the Mondavi Center. She traveled to six continents and reached her goal of setting foot in all fifty states. She continued her practice of swimming a half-mile three times per week, and she bicycled and walked all around Davis.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard “Red” Moldenhauer, sister Carole R. Gatz, and brother Edwin C. Gatz Jr. She is survived by her nephews John (Maria) Gatz of Austin, Texas, and Robert Gatz of Portland, Ore.; nieces Kathy Dahbour (Paul) of Gresham, Ore., Jean (Don) Mueting of Eagan, Minn., Jeanette (William) Moser of Lincoln, Neb., and Judy (Larry) Hilkemann of Norfolk, Neb.; and four grandnieces and grandnephews.

A memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at Davis Lutheran Church, 317 E. Eighth St. Please donate memorial gifts to Davis Lutheran Church or to Bread for the World at 425 3rd Street SW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC.

Sept. 21, 1923 — Feb. 6, 2016

Martha Carson (Clark Gasser) Dickman died suddenly on Feb. 6, 2016, in Davis. 

The youngest of four children, she was born in Missoula, Mont., on Sept. 21, 1923, to Anna C. (Henderson) and Wesley P. Clark. From high school through college, Martha earned money singing at weddings, funerals and in a local dance band, the start of a lifelong passion for vocal performing. Inspired by her love of singing, she chose voice as her college major, earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in 1945.

One year before her graduation, Martha and fellow U of M student, Canadian-born James C. Gasser, were married, shortly after he joined the Marine Corps. Martha, Jim and eventually their four children lived in six states and Thailand. At each new duty station, Martha used her musical talent directing choirs and singing at weddings and local events, and in Bangkok she taught English to Thai speakers as well (and hired a private tutor to study written/spoken Thai on her own). She often headed the family alone during Jim’s absences.

While the family was in Thailand, Col. Gasser died unexpectedly on August 6, 1970. With no stateside hometown, Martha had to decide quickly where she and her two youngest children would live. She wanted the ambiance of “a small progressive college town,” and her selection of Davis proved to be a perfect fit. After years of moving, Martha spent the remaining 45 years of her life in Davis, far longer than she lived anywhere else.

She discovered a creative avenue for performing and directing in the Davis Comic Opera. She spent 23 years as founder, producer, vocal director and performer, ending her long run with their final show. Concurrently, Martha gave voice lessons to dozens of students of all ages. She was proud to teach both for her pupils’ enjoyment and to aid the careers of those who thrived as professional vocalists. Watching their successes was an enormous source of pleasure, and she was very creative in helping people shape their “instruments.”

In 1974, Martha married Avrom I. “Dick” Dickman, a former insurance executive who had recently founded the UC Davis oral history program. He made her laugh, and he attended every one of her shows. They shared a love of theater and interesting, exotic travels until his death in 1981.

In 1986, Martha met Richard Cramer, an architect and retired professor of art at UC Davis. They enjoyed intellectual compatibility and a mutual love of art, and they traveled to Europe a dozen times before his death in 2000.

In 1992 she began co-producing and performing in annual concerts to benefit Citizens Who Care. Preparation and practice for these events brought her tremendous joy. She hosted rehearsals in her home and lent her grand piano, trucked across town, for performances. Martha appeared in all 22 CWC concerts through 2014, singing her final CWC note when she was 90 years old!

Anyone who knew Martha appreciated her passionate commitment to the Mondavi Center for Performing Arts. Its 2002 opening provided an avenue for her to enjoy world class musical performances in a lovely setting. As a volunteer docent, she conducted tours, enthusiastically pointing out the beauty of the imported limestone and exquisite interior wood trim. She always delighted in singing a few bars to demonstrate the incredible acoustics. She also gave pre-performance lectures and rubbed elbows with many music luminaries. It was a thrill, every summer, perusing the Mondavi catalog in preparation for buying that season’s tickets.

As recognition for her sustained civic contributions, Martha received the Harmony in Our Lives Award in 1995 and the A. G.Brinley Award in 2006.

She was predeceased by her husbands and her brothers Robert Clark and John Clark. Her sister, Eleanor Bent of South Ogden, Utah, survives her, as do her children Michael Gasser of Santa Cruz, Holly Nappen of Coronado, Lane Browning of Portland, Ore., and Charles Gasser of Davis; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Martha was known for spontaneously breaking into song, and she was never without a melody in her head. The opposite of a music “snob,” she welcomed new genres, styles, and trends. Yes, even some rap!

She was a true optimist and pragmatist, not given to brooding or regret. One of her common refrains was “The past is history, the future is mystery, the present is a gift.” Those who knew and cherished her certainly considered her the finest of lyrical and melodic gifts. She loved Monty Python, Shakespeare, Carmina Burana, avocados, Sinatra’s phrasing, and her children. 

Although she excelled at ballads, her choice for a farewell tune would have been a rollicking jazz or swing number, something to get the feet moving. When you think of her, sing; if you can’t sing, dance; if you can’t dance, go outside and look up at the stars. Martha always did. 

A memorial celebration will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 13, in the Sanctuary room of the Davis Unitarian Universalist Church, 27074 Patwin Road. The family suggests donations be made to Heifer International, Citizens Who Care, or Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).

Nov. 11, 1922 — Feb. 16, 2016

Maxwell (Max) Wallace Rasmussen resident of Davis, passed away peacefully Feb. 16, 2016, at the age of 94. 

Beginning in June 1940, Max served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps for six years. Following World War II he was a commercial pilot, retiring as a captain for United Airlines in 1982. He was a master gardener, remembered well for establishing and maintaining his “Secret Garden” on the grounds of the University Retirement Community in Davis. Max and his wife, Audrey, traveled throughout the world, enjoying incredible sights and a wide variety of cultures. 

Max was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Audrey (Reutter) Rasmussen and son Roger Rasmussen. Max is survived by sisters Kathleen Barnett and Charlotte Ehrob, brother Ray Rasmussen, daughter JoAn Couche, sons David and Richard Rasmussen, daughters-in-law Marion and Stephanie Rasmussen, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Yolo Foodbank, 1244 Fortna Ave, Woodland, CA 95776