June Laura Sweezey

June Laura Sweezey, 90, died on Monday, April 21, 2014, at home with her family in Etna. June Laura Sweezey was born on Feb. 23, 1924, in Redding Calif. She was the daughter of Ruth and Harve Lambert. She married her high school sweetheart, Richard Clark Sweezey, on Dec. 1, 1943. They started their married life together in New Mexico as he was in the Army Air Corps. Shortly after their first son was born in 1946, they loaded up a flatbed truck with all their belongings and drove north on the Alaskan Highway in pursuit of employment. After living in a tent for a period of time, they settled in an Anchorage home, then, in 1960, moved to Seattle, Wash. In 1969, June and her husband bought the Charles Hovenden Ranch in Scott Valley, now known as Rancho Del Sol. She was active in the ranch and cattle business breeding registered Herford Bulls and replacement heifers. She was never hesitant to check cows or give vaccinations. She participated in the Red Bluff, Reno and Klamath bull sales plus won many awards including Grand Champion at the Siskiyou County Fair. As all ranch wives, she ran the household, cooked many meals for family, ranch workers and friends plus hosted outside barbecues of beef and salmon for holidays. She was a generous hostess who welcomed all to her home and table. Everyone loved June. Her grandchildren always wanted to spend time with their grandmother June, as there was never a harsh word and she used all her energy to entertain them. One grandchild expressed: “Grandma would do anything in her power to help someone else before herself. She made sure others were happy.” As a young person, June identified her desire to be an artist, and thus, appreciated art throughout her life. She was an artist in drawing, watercolor and oil painting. She took numerous lessons from professional artist Richards and participated in the Scott Valley Artist Guild. She was also a member of California Cattle Women Association, Scott Valley Book Club, The Sandwich Club and The Rock Garden Club. She was an avid gardener, taking pride and pleasure in her yard. June was a most incredible person, a beacon of love and tenderness even when a rough world surrounded her. She will be missed and remembered by many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard C. Sweezey, and her eldest son, Richard H. Sweezey. Survivors include her brother, Earl Lambert, and his wife, Donna, of Trinidad, Calif.; her children: David Sweezey and his wife, Valerie, of Anchorage, Alaska, Gary Sweezey and his wife, Laurie, of Etna, and Paul Sweezey and his wife, Lauren, of Etna; her grandchildren: Laura Sweezey and Anna Sweezey, both of Vashon Island, Wash., Monica Hall and her husband, Frank, of Fort Jones, Kristy Sweezey of Etna, Michelle Sweezey of Sacramento, and Curtis Sweezey of Etna; her great-grandchildren: Alex and Ryan Laskey of Vashon Island, Wash., Hunter and Scout Hall of Fort Jones, and Madison and Rory Setzer of Sacramento; plus there are many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Rick Sweezey’s wife, Rae Ann Engdahl, of Mercer Island, Wash. and her children, Jeremy Engdahl-Johnson and Kinley Clifford.A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Scott Valley Berean Church in Etna. Refreshments will be served after the service.Memorial contributions can be made to the June Sweezey Memorial Scholarship fund (write “June Sweezey” in the memo line). Please make checks payable to Scott Valley Scholarships, P.O. Box 352, Etna, CA 96027

June Laura Sweezey

February 23, 1924 - April 21, 2014