Feb. 26, 1922 — Nov. 24, 2010
John Landa, second generation Nevada Basque sheepherder and long-time Lovelock rancher, passed away peacefully at his Reno home surrounded by his loving family.
Shortly before John passed away he said that he thought that “his best 88 years were behind him, but they had been wonderful and unique”. Anyone that knew John would certainly agree.
John was born in Reno in 1922 to Anastasio and Juanita Landa, one of five Landa brothers (Steve, March, Joe, John and Anastasio) and sister Julie; a pioneer Basque sheepherding family who herded their sheep throughout the Reno area, Lake Tahoe and the Sierras. Their unique childhood experiences developed strong personal values, work ethic and devotion to family that served them well throughout their lives. John, in particular, grew up with a love an’ respect for the outdoors, for animals and for agriculture that guided his life until the day he died.
John married Kathryn Garaventa in 1950 and was a devoted and loving husband. John and Kathryn recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, an event attended by almost 70 members of the Landa and Garaventa families.
John and Kathryn moved to Lovelock in 1955 where they spent 50 wonderful years together. John was one of those lucky people able to make a living from what he loved to do. He herded sheep, tended cattle and was the longest-serving livestock brand inspector in the state of Nevada. He enjoyed raising alfalfa and alfalfa seed on his ranch in Lovelock. Over the years, John and Kathryn developed many close friendships within the Lovelock community and the Nevada agricultural community
After retiring, he has been fortunate to spend a lot of quality time with his wife Kathryn, his son, Tom, and grandchildren Michael and Megan. He had a special friendship with his younger brother, Anas Landa. They spent a lot of time together, often retracing their old sheepherder adventures and fishing the Sierra Mountain streams and lakes that they so dearly loved. He also had a special friendship with his only sister, Julie Mendiola, who always took special care of her older brother.
John is survived by his wife Kathryn, son Tom (Denise Espil Landa), grandchildren Michael and Megan, sister Julie Mendiola and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents Anastasio and Juanita, brothers Steve, March, Joe and Anas, and nephews Loren, David and Larry Landa.
A family service was held at Mountain View Chapel last Friday followed by a Landa and Garaventa family gathering at Coney Island where most enjoyed watching UNR’s stunning defeat of Boise St. (all except a small family contingent that lives in Boise).
[[In-content Ad]]