Tuesday Obituaries

10/25/05

BARATTO, Maria Luigia

(1913 - 2005)

Maria Luigia Reginato Baratto quietly passed away at her home five days before her 92nd birthday. Maria was born on October 24, 1913, in Paderno del Grappa, Provincia di Treviso, Italia to Amelia Antonia Morosin and Giulio Giovanni Reginato. She was preceded in death by sisters, Elena, Luigia Guerrina, Margherita, Malfada Inez and Milena Ester and brothers Giacomo, Adalgeso and Paolo. She is survived by her brother Agostino Reginato of Melbourne, Australia, who graced us with his charm for three months this year and numerous relatives throughout Italia, Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States.

Maria married Luigi Baratto in Paderno del Grappa on August 2, 1939. In the spring of 1940, she embarked upon her journey to America and joined Luigi in Santa Barbara, California. She and Luigi resided in Hope Ranch on "Las Terrasas," the estate of the late Harold S. Chase where they were both employed until 1973. In 1974, they traveled to Italia to visit family and the Vatican. They spent their "golden years" at their present home in Santa Barbara where sweet Luigi passed away on January 12, 1993. Maria tended to her garden until her 90's, and loved playing "Sunday cards" with her friends, Rosetta, Rina, Aldina and Sofia.

She is survived by her son, Giulio and his wife Gaile, daughter, Elena Baratto Felland, grandson, David Baratto and wife Anita, granddaughters, Julie Hayden and husband Kurt, Mary Baratto, Gina Felland and her husband James, and Lisa Renee Felland and great grandchildren, Rachelle, Joe, Kate, Tyler, Olivia, Travis, Hillary and Rebecca.

Maria was a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, Italian American Boot Club and a parishioner of Our Lady of Sorrows. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Maria's "angels of loving care," Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, 222 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., at Welch-Ryce-Haider, 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, October 27, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, 21 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara, followed by interment at Calvary Mausoleum, 199 North Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara.

"Nonna is making Biscotti in Heaven."

CHISHOLM, Kenneth James

84, of Carpinteria, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle passed peacefully on October 19, 2005 in Boise, Idaho. Kenneth was the youngest child born to Alexander and Helen Maxwell Chisholm, Scottish immigrants, in Havre, Montana, on September 23, 1921. He was proceeded in death by his wife Margaret of 62 years and his brothers Roderick and Robert and sister Maxine Bailey. Ken was educated in Havre public schools and Los Angeles City College prior to enlisting in the Army in 1942. He served in the Persian Gulf Command in Teheran, Iran, during World War II. Ken was employed as a Social Worker with the County of Santa Barbara for 30 years, retiring in 1981 to his home in Carpinteria, where he enjoyed long walks with his wife Margaret, friendly neighbors, and worship at Carpinteria Community Church, where he taught Church School and served on the Church Council. He was a member of Carpinteria Lodge #444 of Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite and Al Malakiah Shrine, Past Chieftain of Scottish Society of Santa Barbara and member of United Scottish Societies. He is survived by his daughter, Elaine and son-in-law James A. Long of Boise Idaho, grandsons Matthew of Boise and Andrew with the US Peace Corps in Tanzania, Africa, and beloved nieces and nephews and their families. Ken, a good and kind man, is remembered for his love of family and the natural world around him, and for his pride in his Scottish heritage. He is buried next to his wife at the Carpinteria Cemetery between the mountains and the ocean. Services were held at the Carpinteria Community Church on October 22, 2005. Memorials may be made to the Carpinteria Community Church (Rose Garden) or a favorite charity. His family wishes to thank his loving caregiver Delfidia Estrada of Carpinteria and Legacy Hospice, Boise. His wife Margaret wrote his obituary prior to her death in July and included the following verse:

"When I come to the end of the day And the Sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room. Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not too long And not with your head bowed low. Remember the love we once shared - Miss me, but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It's all part of the Maker's plan, A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know and bury your sorrows in doing good deeds - Miss me, but let me go."

Author unknown

EDMONDS, Adeline Belcher McCormick

90, passed peacefully of natural causes last Thursday, October 20, 2005, in her home of 62 years on the Riviera in Santa Barbara.

Adeline [Adie], a third generation Californian, was born October 25, 1914 to Ralph McCormick and Adeline Belcher of Marysville, Ca. In 1933 while attending Stanford University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, she moved to Santa Barbara where she met her husband George who had moved to Santa Barbara from Chula Vista, Ca. They were married in Santa Barbara in 1935 and remained in our beautiful city for the rest of their lives.

Adie was very active in the Santa Barbara community, volunteering her considerable talents to the Botanical Gardens, Garden Club, Junior League, Music Academy of the West, Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, Visiting Nurse Association, as well as a member of the Valley Club of Montecito.

In the late 60's, upon the invitation of the Scott's, Adie and George purchased Paul F. Scott Stationers in Montecito Village. After George's death in 1976, Adie continued her proprietorship until the late 1980's.

Adie will be greatly missed by her friends and family. Be comforted in knowing she is at peace and is where she has wanted to be for many years, with her husband George.

Adie is survived by her daughter, Joan Lynch of Paso Robles, California, son Richard Edmonds of Ridgewood, New Jersey and son David Edmonds of Oroville, California, plus six grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren

As per Adie's request, a simple grave side observance will be held Thursday, Oct. 27 from 11:30am to 1pm at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel Dr. After a wait of 28 years, Adie will be reunited with her beloved George at site CF 133. Adie also requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to one of her three favorite charities: Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens, or Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

GEISLER, Carl Louis

Carl Geisler was born in Los Angeles, CA on May 1, 1926 and died unexpectedly Oct. 22, 2003. He was raised in Huntington Park and married the love of his life, Inez Sholund on April 1, 1950 (April Fools Day) and always felt the fools were the guys who let her get away. They started their life together, and their family, in Huntington Park, until in 1956; they became one of the frontier families moving to the newly developing suburbs in Orange County, settling in the sleepy town of Orange.

Over the next three decades, Carl's life centered on his wife and their three ever-special--in-his-heart daughters, Nena, Lisa, and Juli. He attended (and truly enjoyed as only a doting parent can) every activity in which his daughters demonstrated their skills, from piano recitals to drill team events. And he faithfully and ambitiously recorded each of those events, snapping thousands of photographs. Somehow, he even enjoyed chaperoning the girls' high school dances. He was the ultimate and adoring ever present father.

Yet he still found time for his faith and his own interests. He was a founding member of the Fullerton Evangelical Free Church and enjoyed many hours spent chatting with his HAM radio friends. He was a 20 year member of the Orange County Wine Society.

Carl worked for the State of California's Employment Development Department where he enjoyed helping others find jobs and start careers, until his retirement in 1990. He and his wife relocated to Solvang in 1994 where he enjoyed his free time and continued his lifelong habit of meeting and making new friends everywhere he went. Carl spent time volunteering at the Humane Society Thrift Store, doing a lot "anything and everything" at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, lunches at the Senior Center and, of course, learning more and more about his computer.

But as much as he enjoyed his ftiends and his activities, his world began and ended with his expanding family, his wife and three daughters, their husbands (who became his sons), his eight grandchildren and finally a great-grandson. Carl is survived by his wife of 55 years, Inez; daughters: Nena Jones [husband: Dennis], Lisa Geisler, Juli Young [husband: Darryl]; grandchildren: Erick Jones [wife Karen and son Graysen], Phillip and Erin Jones; Amanda and Brynna Geisler-Locke; and Laura, Heather and Katrina Young.

Over Carl's desk is a plaque which reads: "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'WOW, WHAT A RIDE!'" No doubt as Carl was welcomed through the Pearly Gates by St. Peter, he was exclaiming, "What A Ride!"

The Memorial Funeral Service will be held Oct. 26, 2005, at Noon, at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society or the Saint Mark's Episcopal Church choir.

Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors.

KUHN, John

September 2, 1932 - October 3, 2005

John Paul Kuhn was born in Nebraska and grew up in Stanton, Iowa, where he was active in the Boy Scouts, Sons of the American Legion, and the Mamrelund Lutheran Church. He received his B.S. in Industrial Arts from Iowa State University, where he belonged to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and the Army ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a 1st Lt., where he graduated top in his class from the Signal Corps school at Ft. Monmoth, and was stationed in Thule, Greenland and Fort Ord, CA. After the Army, he settled on the Monterey Peninsula, where he made his home for over 45 years. John received his Master's degree from San Jose State, and began a 35 year career at the Salinas Union High School where he taught Electronics, Auto Shop, and Mathematics. He was a member of the Monterey City Parks and Recreation Commission for over 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years Viera; children Steven Kuhn (Therese) of Santa Clara, David Kuhn (Michelle) of Marina, Susan Kuhn of Pacific Grove; step-children Mila Shaw (Doug) of Santa Barbara, Alex Puha (Cindy) of Georgia; and step-grandchildren Tania (Matt), Yana, Bryan, and Kevin.

John's hobbies included skilled woodworking, making creative toys and doll houses for his granddaughters and crafting replicas of antique dolls with his beloved wife Viera. John also had a passion for sports cars and travel. He enjoyed travelling through Scandinavia and shared many trips all over the USA with Viera, who introduced him to Russia and other Eastern European countries. He shared many enjoyable camping trips with his children.

We will miss John and his ever-present sense of humor and willingness to help others. A Celebration of his Life will be held on November 5, 2005 at 1:00 pm in the Fireside Room of the Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay, 3001 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Monterey, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the SANSUM Diabetes Research Institute, 2219 Bath St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105; or Campership Program, Monterey Recreation and Community Services Dept., 546 Dutra St., Monterey, CA 93940.

MOORE, Beulah May (101)

Born in Santa Barbara, March 8, 1904, passed away October 13, 2005.

Widow of Brett F. Moore, prominent local artist. After graduating from the Santa Barbara Business School in 1922 she worked for the Edison Co., the Santa Barbara School of the Arts, and as private secretary for Warwick S. Carpenter.

In 1966 she started working for The Samarkand as the switchboard operator and in the Billing Department. In 1988 she became a permanent resident.

She is survived by her daughter Barbara Sheets of Woodland Hills, and son-in-law Merlyn, grandsons Jeff, his wife Sandra, Doug and great-grandsons Stephen and Jake.

Memorial services will be held in the Samarkand Chapel Friday, October 28 at 10:30 am. Arrangements by Welch-Ryce-Haider.

MURPHY, Shirley Ann

Shirley died peacefully in her sleep October 14, 2005 at the age of 84 in Richardson, Texas. She and her beloved husband Sam were married for 62 years and enjoyed living in Santa Barbara, CA for nearly 30 years. Shirley was born in Whittier, CA, June 23, 1921. She completed business school and worked as a legal secretary in San Diego until her marriage. Even as she raised her family in Woodland Hills, CA she served as PTA President and held various offices in her women's club. In Santa Barbara she worked as a long-time volunteer for the Santa Barbara Zoo, and served several terms as President of the Montecito Women's Golf Club. Her brother Norman (Ross) Taylor, daughter Susan Hackett, daughter-in-law Diane Murphy, and granddaughter Kathryn Hackett survive her. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Sam, her son Mark R. Murphy, and her sister Elizabeth Doyle.

Services were held October 17, 2005 at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in Richardson, TX.

WESTLING, Graeme Bennison

Mr. Westling was born November 1, 1909 in Los Angeles. He died October 20, 2005 in Paso Robles. His maternal grandparents, Henry and Edith Bennison and his mother Belle Bennison Westling were long time Santa Paula, CA residents. Mr. Westling grew up in Los Angeles and Santa Paula graduating from Santa Paula Union High School in 1927. He returned to Los Angeles to work in the oil industry eventually becoming the Superintendent of Texaco Refining at Terminal Island in Wilmington. Mr. Westling married Melba Jean Parker of Saticoy, CA in 1934; they made their home in Wilmington and Long Beach, CA before moving to Santa Barbara in 1983, they were married for 57 years. Mr. Westling was a Master Mason for more than 50 years and was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was a member of Scottish Rite and a member of Al Malaikah Shrine. For a number of years in the late 1930s he was the associate Guardian of Jobs Daughters in Wilmington, CA. Mr. Westling was proceeded in death by his wife, Melba Jean and son, Wayne Thomas Westling of Eugene, Oregon. Surviving him are his daughter, Anita Jean Field and son-in-law, Sam Field of San Miguel, CA, daughter-in-law, Letty Morgan, of Eugene, Oregon, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a brother, John Victor Westling of Orange, CA and a sister, Virginia Westling Odell of Coarsegold, CA. Arrangements for burial are by McDermott-Crockett Mortuary with interment at Santa Paula Cemetery.

ZIESENHENNE, Rudolf C.

Rudolf C. Ziesenhenne, who passed on at his home in Santa Barbara on Oct. 19, 2005 at the age of 94, was known worldwide for his writing and research on begonias. He was honored numerous times by the American Begonia Society for his pioneering work in plant culturing, for establishing plant classification standards, and for training flower show judges.

His nursery, long a familiar fixture in Santa Barbara on the corner of Milpas and Anapamu, shared its parking space with the County Bowl and served generations of avid begonia lovers. He founded his nursery business in 1934 and retired just a year ago at 93.

He was an early member of the Society, founded in 1932 as the California Begonia Society, changing its name in 1934 to the American Begonia Society to reflect its national standing. At the time of his passing, he was the earliest member of the Society still living. His many articles in The Begonian gave important visibility to the official publication of the Society. His first article appeared in May 1935.

Rudolf Ziesenhenne served as the first keynote banquet speaker for the Society's annual meeting in 1938, and served in that same capacity a total of seven times. During his lifetime, he delivered a total of 210 lectures and talks on begonias.

He gained standing in his field by his diligent commitment to setting high standards. As a member of the Society, he began judging flower shows in 1940, and served as the Society's Nomenclature Director from 1940 to 1942, and again from 1953 to 1978, and as Research Director in 1942. In 1952, he encouraged the effort to train flower show judges, and the first classes began in March 1953. He wrote a booklet establishing a point scoring system for judging begonias.

He served on a Society committee that proposed publishing a guide for classification of begonias grouped according to stems and growth habits. The guide was published in July of 1969.

The Santa Barbara branch of the Society awarded him a lifetime membership. He won the Alfred D. Robinson Medal in 1946 for hybridizing the "Freddie" begonia, named after one of his sons. He also was honored with the Eva Kenworthy Gray Award in 1959 for "contributing original material toward helping the rank and file members further their study of begonias."

He received the Herbert P. Dyckman Award, named in honor of the Society's founder, in 1980, for his longtime service to the Society "above and beyond the duties of a member or officer."

The Rudolf Ziesenhenne Award was established in his name in 1998 for exceptional editorial contributions in the field of begonia studies in The Begonian magazine. He was its first recipient, honored for the more than 2,400 column inches of information that he authored, published in the Society's official journal. Since 2001 the Award has been given annually.

In 2004, he received the Bouquet of the Year Award from the Santa Barbara County Horticultural Society for his numerous contributions to the advancement of horticulture in Santa Barbara County. According to the citation: "His involvement with the genus begonia is legendary, with the description of over 20 new species and the creation of 78 hybrids."

The Society also noted that his involvement with the local, national and international begonia organizations has benefited growers worldwide.

Married in 1933 to the former Margaret Selover in Santa Barbara, his wife predeceased him in 1999. Survivors include two sons and their wives, Rudolf H. and Virginia of Los Angeles, and Fred E. and Linda of Santa Barbara, four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Fred Ziesenhenne, of Honolulu, Hawaii, also survives him.

Born in Chicago in 1911, he was the fourth of five children of Otto and Rosa Ziesenhenne. He attended schools in Long Beach, Calif., before settling in Santa Barbara in 1933.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 27, at 2 p.m. at the Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Home in Santa Barbara. The family requests that, in lieu of other considerations, contributions in Rudolf Ziesenhenne's name may be directed to the American Begonia Society, c/o Carol Notaras, 2567 Green Street, San Francisco, CA 94123.