Barbara Blaser

1917 - 2021

After a full and colorful life, Barbara Blaser passed away peacefully January 12, 2021, at The Gardens in Yuba City. Barbara was the daughter of Estelle and Ted Urbahns, longtime residents of the Yuba Sutter area.

After growing up in the Rio Oso area where she graduated from Browns Elementary, the family moved to Yuba City. After Yuba City High, Barbara studied business in Santa Barbara. She also studied at Chico State to become a teacher.

Whi l e attending Yuba City High, she met Earl Blaser who was attending Sutter High. They were married in 1941.

Beside helping with the family farming operation in Sutter Co., Barbara devoted time volunteering in organizations to support her three children, Julie Bidegain, Susan P o mer o y a n d Do n Blaser. She was also a member of l ocal service clubs i ncluding Children’s Home Society and Rotary Inner Wheel.

She was an active member of the P.E.O. F o u n d a t i o n wh i c h provides scholarships to help deserving women pursue their educational goals. Her fellow members considered her to be the life of the party. She had a strong desire to help.

Barbara and her family spent decades visiting Bucks Lake. This is where she developed generations of lifelong friends. One of her many passions was landscaping. Her yards were always an explosion of flowers.

She is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren.

There are many colorful “I Love Lucy” like anecdotes i n her life that we would like to share in a pending celebration of life this spring.

A donation suggestion in her name would be: P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

Longtime Yuba-sutter native, David “Speedy” Gonzales, left us on January 14, 2021. As a pillar in the community he owned and helped operate the El Zarape Restaurant with his wife Ana for over 45 years.

Born in Los Angeles, David moved to Wheatland at 7 years old. In 1952, his parents moved to a studio apartment above a restaurant in Yuba City, known as the El Zarape Inn on Garden Highway. Together as a family he and his 4 siblings helped their parents start the El Zarape that has now become one the oldest family owned and operated restaurants in the Yuba Sutter area.

Davi d loved and strived to support his growing community his entire life. He was a proud member of the Yuba City Rotary Club, Alliance for Hispanic Advancement, YubaSutter Chamber of Commerce and various community events. Throughout the years David grew friendships with everyone he interacted with, whether it be his fellow Rotarians or all the friends he met at Colusa Casino.

S p e e d y was p r e - ceded in death by his parents Tony and Eleanor Gonzales, his siblings Bob Gonzales, Mary Cartago, Gloria L a s wel l a n d Irene J a mes .

His surviving loved ones include his wife Ana, sons Robert and David (spouse Shannon), grandkids Andrew, David, Alexandra, Samuel, Autumn, Mattie, and one great g r a n d c h i l d , E mery. There is no doubt he considered many nieces and nephews as his own to their respect.

Graveside services will be Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 2:00 pm where David will be laid to rest at Sierra View Memorial. Due to COVID restrictions attendance will be limited. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in David’s honor can be made to the David Gonzales Scholarship: Alliance for Hispanic Advancement, P.O. Box 3743, Yuba City, CA 95992 or call Vera Correa (530) 3013205.

Born in Colusa, CA, on May 6th, 1939. Al passed away at home, in his sleep at the age of 81, on January 6th, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Griffin) of almost 63 years; two daughters, Brenda and son-in-law, Dave, and Karen and son-in-law, Bill Siler; two grandsons, Nick Garcia and Kyle Siler both of Yuba City; one granddaughter, Noel Garcia of Sutter, two great-grandchildren, Talula Garcia Guth 11 months old, and Gavin James Siler 4 days old; one siste,r Leita Spoto of Nevada City; and brother, Ronald Smith of Yuba City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jake and Lila Smith; and brother, Sidney E. S mi t h .

Al was a Sutter High School graduate and he attended Butte College for a couple of years in Durham CA. He was a Sheet Metal Heating and Air Conditioning Journeyman working in hospitals, prisons, jails, casinos and some residential for 35 years. He loved his work.

After r e t i r i ng, he kept busy with his family. He loved going off in his pick-up and 5th wheel trailer, doing a little fishing and hitting the casinos once in a while.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and for a short time great-grandfather.

May you rest in peace my love. A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

HOFFMAN - Robert Raymond Hoffman, Sr., 78, of Lincoln, CA, passed away January 16, 2021. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of the Twin Cities & Crematory, (530) 673-4360.

MALONEY - Florelaine Viola Maloney, 80, o f Yuba Ci t y , CA, passed away January 17, 2021. Arrangements are under the direction of Ullrey Memorial Chapel, (530) 673-9542.