obituaries cont’d from p. 20 of his life, Margaret while attending SBCC. They wed that same year and proved to the world that they shared a love and bond that would last a lifetime. In they had their first daughter, Lisa, followed a few years later by their youngest daughter Chrissy. Dale worked hard to provide for his family. In those early years, at times he held two jobs –working for General Motors/ Delco Electronics and on weekends at a family run nursery. While he worked his way up at GM/Delco, he also attended night school to earn a bachelor’s in Business Management from La Verne University. After earning his degree, Dale made his career working in purchasing for GM/Delco until he retired in . Even though his life was busy with family and work, he always stayed active in local sports. He played on city league basketball teams and coached local girls’ softball and basketball. He had a passion and talent for coaching. Dale worked with many young athletes throughout his life—whether it be through Goleta Valley Girls’ Softball Association, Dos Pueblos High School, San Marcos High School or numerous area travel teams. He was a winning coach. In , he was honored as Amateur Softball Association Coach of the Year after he led the California Waves to win the National Softball Championship. In , he was inducted into the Santa
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Barbara Athletic Roundtable Hall of Fame for his contributions to local girls’ softball. Two years later, in , he coached the Dos Pueblos varsity girls’ softball team to a CIF championship win. He took a genuine interest in the kids he coached and they loved him. His motivation and drive encouraged the girls to work hard to always be at their very best on the field and in life. Many of his players continued to be a part of his life long after they graduated and had families of their own. Dale’s sense of humor combined with his compassion endeared him to so many—whether it be his family, friends, players, local waitresses or nurses and doctors. He touched so many lives. A heartfelt thank you to Doctors Kupperman, Watson and Vallee for the amazing care you gave Dale. Dale’s family was the center of his life and he was the heart and soul of theirs. He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughters Lisa Lyytikainen (Keith), and Chrissy Valenzuela (Cele), grandchildren Davis Mansmann (), Chase Mansmann (), Isabel Valenzuela (), Emily Valenzuela (), Sidney Lyytikainen() and Kathryn Lyytikainen (), brothers Mark and Rick and sister Nona, niece Lilly and great nephew Joey. His courage, loyalty, strength, love and commitment will live forever in their hearts. A celebration of Dale’s life will be
april 3, 2014
To submit obituaries for publication, please call () - held on May th, at pm at Goleta Beach, Site A followed by a reception at the Beachside Restaurant patio area.
Beatrice “Mary” Stettler // – //
STETTLER, Beatrice “Mary”; passed away peacefully in the loving arms of her family at the home of her daughter Patti, in Santa Barbara on Wednesday, March , . Mary was born in Rugby, England on November , to Leonard and Grace Cox. She grew up in Rugby with her younger brother Jimmy and her beloved Aunties. At the age of , she went to work as a drafter for a large engineering firm. In , Mary joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women’s branch of the British Army and became a driver. As fate would have it, Mary attended a USO dance at
the prompting of her girlfriend and it was there that she met Warren Stettler, a handsome U.S. Army Air Force meteorologist with the th Weather Squadron. Warren and Mary were married in England in . At the end of the war, Mary and her infant daughter Judith crossed the Atlantic with thousands of other war brides on the Queen Mary. Warren and Beatrice settled in Oceanside, where Warren ran Stettler Brothers’ Plastering Contractors. Mary’s life was family centered, her home being remembered as a haven not only for her children, but also by many friends & family. In , Mary, Warren and their daughter Terri moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to their children. Warren passed away years later on their th wedding anniversary. Mary was a loving wife and mother who instilled her love of animals, nature, music, art and literature in all of her children. She had a quick wit, and was always ready for an adventure! Mary had a very special bond with her grandson, David. They were the most loyal of friends. She was especially proud of his courage to move across country to No. Carolina last year. She spoke of the similarity between her and David... as she also moved far from family as a young woman. She missed him, but loved his frequent phone calls. Her next trip was to see his new
house this April. Mary is survived by her children Judy Gabler (Don), Patti Weber (Bob), Jim Stettler (Linda), Cathy Stettler (Judi Nattrass) and Terri Stettler; grandchildren Jennifer Love, Glenn Love, Matt Pesendian, Chris Weber, David Weber, Jade Wood, Ben Stettler and Greg Stettler; great grandchildren and great great grandson. Mary’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff and residents of Garden Court. We would also like to thank her caregiver Hilda Ramirez, whom she adored. The family would be honored by your remembrance of their mother with a contribution to any of the following Santa Barbara foundations: Alpha Resource Center (alphasb. org), Pathpoint (pathpoint.org) or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (vnhcsb.org). A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April th at p.m. at Garden Court, De La Vina St. Santa Barbara. In remembrance of Mary, take time to pause, as she did, to feel the wonder of all God’s creations, from the smallest ant to the grandest mountain; to be inspired by the wind, the ocean, the clouds and especially by Trees! Then turn to someone nearby and say “Isn’t it Lovely!” And pick a flower whenever you’re moved to...