IN MEMORY VERNA VAN VLECK Born on the family farm in Elk Grove, Verna Van Vleck passed away on June 17 at the age of 95 in Rocklin. She was the daughter of John Davies Lewis and Rilla Belle Baker Lewis, whose families were pioneer farmers of Elk Grove. At the age of 17, Verna graduated Elk Grove High School Class of 1937. As a Music Major, graduated Sacramento City College class of 1939 at 19 years old. She went on to marry her high school and college classmate Gordon K. Van Vleck at her family’s home garden in Elk Grove on August 31, 1941. Gordon, a third generation cattle rancher, with Verna by his side, ran a successful cattle operation and both were very politically active with improving the cattle industry. The ranch was something they both loved very dearly. From 1941 to 1968 she resided at the family ranch in Sacramento County, Michigan Bar/Sloughhouse. They later lived on the family ranch in Amador County. Verna was presided in death by Gordon, her husband of 63 years, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 85. She wa also predeceased by a twin brother at birth and brother Edmund Lewis (Betty). Longevity runs in Verna’s family. Her maternal grandparents were married 72 years, her mother Rilla Lewis and aunt Cora Stelter each passed away a matter of days away from turning 106 years old. Verna was just 19 days away from 96 years. She is survived by four children: son, Lewis Van Vleck (Linda); daughters, Mary Ellen McCafferty (Gene); Susan Firchau (John); Barbara DeLaney (Robert Clouse); Eight grandchildren: Regina Ryan (Mark), Amanda Wilkinson (Adam), Bryan Riolo (Tina), Lloyd Firchau, Coree Keenan (Tim), Brooke Firchau, Todd Firchau, Andrew DeLaney (Noelle); Eight great-grandchildren: Hannah and Mason Wilkinson; Will and Anna Ryan; Wyatt, Garrett and Juliette Keenan; and Sara Riolo. Private services were held at East Lawn Memorial Park in Sacramento. Memorial contributions can be made to Amador/El Dorado/ Sacramento (AES) Cattle Women Scholarship Fund, c/o Ginger Appleton, Scholarship Committee Chairman, 27799 Dry Creek Road, Galt, CA 95632.
WEdding Bells STROUD & EASON
Katie Stroud and Brad Eason were married Aug. 20, in Adin. Stroud, a graduate of California State University, Chico, is a past Young Cattlemen’s Committee officer as well as a former California and National Beef Ambassador is the daughter of Andy and Helen Albaugh of Adin. The groom is the son of Mark and Kim Eason of Cleveland, Okla. The couple has made their first home in Ulysses, Kan. where they are both employed at JBS-Five Rivers.
80 California Cattleman September 2016
Cattle Ranching Runs Deep in California Agriculture Heritage Since its inception in 1948, the California Agricultural Heritage Club, formerly known as the 100 Year Club, has welcomed farming and ranching families and agribusinesses in California into it’s highly esteemed group of honorees for their commitment to agriculture in California. The 100 Year Club was formed on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California and has honored countless agricultural families and their operations over the years. This year, at a brunch at the California State Fair, three California Cattlemen’s Association families were inducted into the club for 150 and 100 or more years in the ranching business in California. Ione Conlan and her great nephew Guido Frosini of Conlan Ranches California (started in 1866) and True Grass Farms, all of Valley Ford, were honored for their family’s over-150-years of ranching in California. The Edsall family of Mountain View Ranch, established in McKinleyville in 1916, was recognized for its 100 years of California ranching. Cheryl LaFranchi and Frank Mongini, DVM, of Oak Ridge Angus, Calistoga, accepted the 100-year award for Oak Ridge, which has been in operation since 1912. Also amoung this year’s honorees was Rancho Omochumnes, Sacramento, honored for more than 175 years of agricultural operation. CCA is proud to congratulate these families and thank them for their commitment and services they have continued to provide to the California cattle industry for more than a century. The awards and breakfast event were made possible by generous sponsors: Farm Credit, California Grain & Feed Association, Zenith Insurance Company, CA Milk Advisory Board, California Farm Bureau Association and Friends of the California State Fair. For more information about the California Agricultural Heritage Club, or to look for next year’s application, visit http://www.castatefair.org/ca-agheritage/.