Category: Announcements

Friends and family will gather Saturday in Fortuna to remember a man whose life was defined by hard work, deep roots, and an unwavering devotion to the people he loved.

The woman who taught her grandkids how to get their older siblings in trouble, made Friday lunches from scratch, and never missed a school event is being remembered with bright colors, stories, and laughter at a celebration of life in Fortuna on June 6.

‘Friends are invited to join the family for a visitation/viewing for Irene J. Crichton on Thursday evening, May 7, 2026, from 6 to 8 PM at Sanders Funeral Home (1835 E St., Eureka)”

Karen Kay Locken, one of the first 40 women accepted into the California Highway Patrol, spent decades in public service before retiring in Eureka, where friends remember her as generous, funny, and always full of life.

“[We] spent many winters in Tahoe and Sunriver. When the weather got extreme, Sandra always liked to go for a drive in a white-out blizzard with 100 mph winds and zero visibility “just to see if we could make it back!” We always did but had some pretty sketchy moments more than a few times. That was Sandra.”

A Southern Humboldt community fixture known for decades of dental care, a Bronze Star from Vietnam, and an abiding love of backyard baseball has died — and his family is inviting the community to celebrate his life in Fortuna next month.

“Wincel explored the world—from hiking the rugged Lost Coast Trail between Mattole Beach and Shelter Cove, to embarking on African safaris with stops in Dubai, and visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, and Hawaii.”

“After graduating high school, he eventually relocated to Humboldt County where he fine tuned his on air talent in a variety of formats and stations that included KFMI, KATA, KHSU, KXGO, KHUM and KSLUG.”

“She and Paul started Sauer Excavating with a Cat and dump truck.”