Obituaries for March, 2024

Nancy Padelford Noel Lesperance 88, of Paradise Valley passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024. Her husband and caregiver, Tony, was at her side throughout. She had suffered a difficult illness for the last two years of her life and fought a hard battle to survive to her goal of 89 years of age. She fell short by 11 days. Nancy was born in Santa Paula, California on March 23, 1935. She was raised by her parents, Frank Sumner Padelford and Nina Verna Stoll Padelford, both deceased. Sumner was a long-standing citrus grower in Fillmore, nearby Bardsdale and Piru. Nina was a long-time teacher in the Fillmore School District. Nancy attended school from kindergarten through high school in Fillmore. She was a straight A student throughout her education and was her senior class president and valedictorian. After graduation, Nancy moved to Las Vegas and became involved in the ongoing hotel …

Raymond Etcheverry The blizzard of 1949 was known as the worst on record. It came with lots of snow, strong winds, and frigid temperatures. Blocked railroads and unpassable roads were everywhere. Operation “Haylift” was first introduced to feed the cattle that were left stranded and starving. While braving the forces of nature, a young couple living in the Natomas mining camp 20 miles south, were trying to make their way hurriedly into the town of Battle Mountain for the impending birth of their young son. After having to stop the pickup every few miles so that the both parents could get out and scrape the frozen ice off the windshield, the mother often said she wished her husband would have driven faster. Raymond Etcheverry was born on January 3rd, 1949, to Helene and Joseph Etcheverry, both of whom were Basque immigrants. Growing up in the small mining camp was a …

Robert “Bob” Garretson, passed away suddenly, November 21, 2023. Bob worked for Eagle Pitcher Minerals for several years, before moving to Reno. While in Reno he worked in Assisted Living Centers before retiring. Upon retirement he enjoyed fishing, helping anyone in need and riding his E-Bike with his bike group, touring the Reno and Sparks area. Bob will be missed for his witty sense of humor, and his smile. He was preceded by his father Robert Garretson, Mother Marian Flynn Weeks, and Sister Evelyn Sue Westover. He is survived by Son Robert “Bobby” Garretson, Daughter Christina Garretson, Son Jeremy Garretson, Brother John Garretson, Cheryl Garretson and several Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, and cousins.

Jeffrey Vernon Wiseley passed away on March 6, 2024. He will truly be missed by all that knew him. Jeff was born on May 24, 1973 to John and Rita Ernest Wiseley in Carson City, NV. He grew up happy and full of adventure. His dad sparked his love of exploring, camping, mining, learning about rocks and minerals, working on vehicles, etc. They have had a lifelong friendship cherished by them both. He had a love of all things mechanical. He was often working on vehicles and fixing things. If he didn’t know how to fix something, he would call his dad for advice or watch a YouTube video to figure it out. He had a passion for flying his drones and vacationing with his wife and daughter to many different places. He vacationed in Fort Bragg, CA often as a child and loved taking his own family there as …

Connie Elder, of Denio, Nevada, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, March 11, 2024, in Weiser, Idaho. Connie was born on May 13, 1947 in Berkley, California to Edward and Florence McGuire. Connie was raised in Placerville, California with her sister and two brothers. She married Joel Elder just out of high school and moved to Hawthorne, Nevada. Together they raised two sons, Doug and Matt Elder and helped to raise her niece, Darcie. Some of the greatest joys in Connie’s life were the interactions she had with people while managing the office for Sierra Pacific Power Company in Hawthorne, running in the desert each morning with her best friend Sherry, and working at the post office in Denio, Nevada with her good friend Terry. Connie’s lifelong passions were quilting, gardening, taking care of her houseplants and flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren. She …

Alvin Jacob "Jake" Weber, 85, of Bend, Oregon, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024. His wife, daughter, and granddaughter were by his bedside. Born on May 18, 1938, in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Alvin and Retta Weber. Jake was raised in his birth town and would ultimately move west and live most of his working years in eastern Nevada and Portland before finally retiring to his beloved central Oregon home. Jake was a dedicated and loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Jake made the most delicious blended margaritas and always enjoyed a good serving of ice cream! In 1956, Jake joined the military and served in the US Air force for 5 years. It was in this service that Jake learned and honed his skills as an electrician. His military duties brought him to Winnemucca, Nevada, where, among other things, he repaired and maintained complex communications equipment on its …

Consuelo Gutierrez passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 75. She was born on March 28, 1948, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico to Eli Gutierrez. She lived in Guadalajara, Jalisco for many years then migrated to Winnemucca, Nevada in 1977 with her 6 children. Most of her adult life she lived in Winnemucca, Nevada and sometime was spent in Reno, Nevada. She began working at Winnemucca Farms then changed careers and began working at the Red Lion for many years. After some time, she began focusing on health, she strived to be active every single day. She spent most of her day walking around town, visiting family members and being active. She was not one to stay in one place – she was always on the move, especially when it came to her children. She was driven to make sure they knew the meaning of hard work and …

Louis Franklin Ryle Sr., of Lovelock, Nv, passed away on January 28, 2024, after a 1.5-year battle with lung cancer. Louie was born on March 19, 1947, to Russell Sr. and Juanita Ryle in Lovelock, NV. In 1966, he was drafted into the USMC and graduated from boot camp from USMC Base Camp Pendleton. After graduating from boot camp at Camp Pendleton, he went to Vietnam, with Bravo Company Third Tanks from 1966-1968. While in Vietnam, his tank B-25 was ambushed and was shot with an RPG. He was the only survivor of B-25 crew and received the purple heart. The Vietnam Tanker Association has called him a “hero” for his acts of valor for trying to save is crew and the grunts around him that day. If you would like to read about this event look up the book called Con Thien: The hill of Angels, written by James …

John Joseph Carroll was born in Philadelphia, PA. on April 28, 1974 to Claire Quinn Crum and John A. Carroll, Jr. He died unexpectedly on May 26, 2023. At an early age, his family moved to Kingman, AZ. He graduated from Kingman High School in 1992. This was also where he met his wife, Penni Rae Walls. They married in 1997 and moved to Winnemucca, NV to start their new life, where their children, Brenden Joseph, and Brooks deChantel were born. John spent his entire career in gold mining. He took great pride in his participation in Mine Rescue, the underground mining version of the First Responder and Search and Rescue. He was successful against other mines in competitions around the country. John was so proud of his underground knowledge of safety and proper protection of his mining comrades. He was known by the nickname “Creature” by his underground workmates. …

Ronald Lee Warrick passed away peacefully with his dog on February 22, 2024, at the age of 76. He was born on June 30, 1947, to Betty Jean Myers and Robert Gene Warrick Sr. He was born and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas. He married Juanita Lee Warrick on August 17, 1972. The two shared 51 years together and four children. The family moved around to Utah then Wyoming and finally settled in Nevada for the last 36 years. Ron was a member of the Rifle Club and the Trap Shooting Club and any type of racing he could get into. He enjoyed gardening, racing, fishing, hunting, harassing anybody he could, animals, watching tv and spending time with family most of all. He loved his family and impacted every life he touched. He was also known as “Fat Daddy”, “The Old Fart” and “Old Duffer”. He is survived by his wife, …