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Ellen G. Sutter
Ellen G. Sutter died on Nov. 3, 2005, at her home in Davis. Born June 4, 1945, in the borough of Queens, New York, she was 60 years old.
A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Monday at the Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center on the UC Davis campus. Graveside services are planned for 1:30 p.m. today at the Davis Cemetery.
She taught for 22 years at UC Davis in the departments of pomology and plant sciences.
She earned advanced degrees from Columbia and Cornell universities. From Cornell, she earned a Ph.D. in floriculture and ornamental horticulture, and she taught for two years at Iowa State University in the department of horticulture before coming to Davis in 1983. Her research publications included topics in clonal propagation by tissue culture and the physiology of adventitious root formation.
She served as director of the UC Davis Teaching Resources Center from 2002 to 2005. As director, she combined her enthusiasm for computer technology with teaching. As a teacher of plant propagation and tissue culture, she enjoyed getting to know undergraduates as individuals and was often described by students as among the most friendly and approachable of professors. As a graduate adviser, she enjoyed mentoring her students, teaching them to become researchers and encouraging each to achieve his or her goals.
Her professional interest in plant science took her to Japan China, and Scotland. For pleasure, she traveled throughout Europe and Mexico. She also visited several national parks in Hawaii, Alaska and other states as well as to remote national reserves in Peru. In 2004, Sutter combined her interest in digital photography with travel to east Africa. A tireless gardener, she enjoyed collecting and growing both California native plants and plants from around the world.
She attributed her generous nature to her father, Sol Sutter, and consistently donated to numerous organizations and charities including Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International, the American Red Cross, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, more than five environmental organizations, and local charities. She also gave significant funds for research in women’s heart disease in memory of her mother, Pearl.
She is survived by her friend of many years, Maryann Owens, brothers David and Richard Sutter, eight nieces and nephews. Contributions to honor her memory may be made to the Ellen G. Sutter scholarship fund, c/o Maryann Owens, 1715 Sapphire Court, Davis, CA 95616.
Inquiries regarding services may be made to Harry A. Nauman and Son Funeral Chapel in Sacramento.
SUURKIVI
Valeria Suurkivi
Valeria Suurkivi of Davis died at home on Thursday, July 31, 2003. She was 88.
A seven-year Yolo County resident, she was born in Parnu in the county of Tostamaa, Estonia, on Oct. 8, 1914.
She graduated from Tartu University in Estonia in 1940 and was a pharmaceutical chemist for 30 years. She worked for Timothy Whites, Boots and Chemists and the Leicester Co-op Society until her retirement.
She held a master's and a bachelor's degree, earning the latter at age 73, in social science from England's Open University.
In 1996 she moved to Davis to be near family.
She enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing and interacting with young people.
Survivors include her son Ain Suurkivi and his wife Marilee of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada; a daughter Aita Cohen and her husband Michael of Davis; three grandsons, Paul Cohen of Davis and Jeremy and Tyler Suurkivi of Moose Jaw; a brother Olev Toomingas and his wife Helga of Estonia; a nephew Toivo Suurkivi and his wife Asta and their son Tanel; a great-grandnephew Tauri; a niece Tiina; and a grandniece Brigitta of Estonia.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Suurkivi in 1958.
A memorial service will be on Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Estonian House in Estonia. Memorials may be sent to Evergreen Funeral Services in Woodland.
SWAN
Ruth Swan
A memorial service for Ruth Swan will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Davis Community Church, 412 C St. A reception will follow. All friends are welcome.
A retired pianist and organist, she died of congestive heart failure on July 5, 2001. Born in Crete, Neb., to Joseph Elbert Taylor and Anna Bennett Taylor, she was 91.
She enjoying playing chamber music into her late 80s, and was a member of the Davis Community Church, active in the Peacemaking Committee and the Women's Circle.
She is survived by her three daughters, Marilyn Swan of Davis; Alice Swan and her husband, Harvey Himelfarb, of Washington; and Carolyn Swan Mack and her husband, Steve Mack, of Maryland; and by her two grandchildren, Christopher Lee of Los Angeles and Joanna Swan of Davis.
SWANK
Harold Lawrence Swank
Harold Lawrence Swank of Vacaville died March 3, 2004, at Sutter Davis Hospital. He was 74.
Born March 10, 1929, in East Dallas, Pa., he worked as a quality control inspector for Explosive Technology for 25 years. He lived in Vacaville for 37 years.
He had a passion for dancing, corny humor, bar tricks and wearing Western clothing - including hats covered in pins and cowboy boots, his family said. In recent years he enjoyed jazz festivals and helping with the Backroom Band at the Davis Senior Center.
He was active in numerous groups: past master, Free & Accepted Masons, Suisun Lodge No. 55; past high priest, Solano Chapter No. 43; past and present commander, Vacaville Commandery No. 38; illustrious master, Amador Council No. 31; past president, Montezuma Shrine Club; past and present president, Scottish Rite Club; past and present president, Eagles; member of Ben Ali Shriners, Sacramento Scottish Rite, Order of the Eastern Star, Vallejo Moose Lodge No. 468 and Vacaville Elks Lodge No. 2638.
He was preceded in death by his second wife, Frances Swank of Fairfield.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Joe Barker of Carlsbad, N.M.; son and daughter-in-law, William and Jackie Swank of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren, Ashley and Will of Norfolk; first wife, Joyce Holland of Charlotte, N.C., loving companion and dance partner, Phyllis Newton of Woodland; and numerous cousins in Pennsylvania.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Temple, 412 Travis Blvd., in Fairfield. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions in the name of the deceased may be made to: Shriner's Childrens Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento CA 95817.
SWANSON
Ferne Swanson
Ferne Swanson died at Chariton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Chariton, Iowa, Monday, Nov. 1, 2004 at age 90.
Mrs. Swanson was born Feb. 3, 1914 in Russell, Iowa. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include Mrs. Swanson's sons, Larry W. Swanson of Woodland and Roger O. Swanson of Oskaloosa, Iowa; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond H. Swanson; her parents, John W. and Ida E. Rouse; her sisters, Nellie G. Logsdon, Marietta M. Paige and Verna B. Baze and her brothers, Rolla Charles Rouse, James Robert Rouse, Edward W. Rouse and Samuel E. Rouse.
The family requests memorials in Mrs. Swanson's name be directed to Grace Baptist Church of Chariton.
Services: Visitation is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3 at Fielding Funeral Home, Chariton, Iowa. A funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 4 at Fielding Funeral Home with Pastor Dennis St. Lawrence officiating. Interment will be at Chariton Cemetery. Fielding Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
SWANSTROM
Richard L. 'Swanee' Swanstrom
Richard L. Swanstrom died at his home in McKinleyville on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, at age 61.
Born on Dec. 17, 1941, in Arizona, Mr. Swanstrom had been a Yolo County resident for 40 years, and had worked for various car dealerships in Woodland and Sacramento for the past 35 years.
Survivors include his wife Pam (Bigelow) Swanstrom; daughters, Stephanie Lynn Swanstrom and Kelly Lee Swanstrom; grandchildren, Bradleigh Johanneck and Brandon Swanstrom, all of whom reside in Woodland. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerhard L. and Phoebe Swanstrom.
The family requests memories be directed to the charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors of Woodland.
Services: A private interment was held at Mary's Cemetery in Yolo.
SWEENEY
Josephine Anita "Jo" Sweeney
Josephine Anita "Jo" Sweeney died surrounded by family on Feb. 28, 2004, in San Pablo. She was 87.
One of seven children, she was born to Joseph and Emma Morin on Sept. 8, 1916, in Duluth, Minn. She became a registered nurse and, in 1939, came to California, where she met and marriage E.W. "Bill" Sweeney in 1941. She gave up her job to marry and raise three daughters.
A founding member and lifetime supporter of St. Cornelius Church, she was active in the Ladies Aid Society, YLI, Foresters and was a past president of the St. Cornelius PTA. After raising her girls, she worked for 15 years as a nurse at Richmond Hospital, retiring in 1978.
She was preceded in death by her husband, in 1968, and her brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Sweeney of Davis, Anne Marie Grant of Vallejo and Eileen Thibault of Richmond; sons-in-law, Bill Grant and Larry Thibault; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary and viewing will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Wilson and Kratzer Mission Bell Chapel in San Pablo. A funeral Mass will be said at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pinole.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of the donor's choice.
