James Palmer Grasse, BHS 1967

James "Jim" Palmer Grasse, BHS 1967

January 4, 1949 - June 30, 2024

Lifelong Rental Industry Participant Jim Grasse Dies

July 7, 2024, Story and photo Michael Roth

Grasse was a regular participant in rental industry events, most recently as regional sales manager for Broce Brooms, and was regularly seen at the American Rental Association, California Rental Association and other shows.

Jim Grasse, a widely known figure who has worked in the rental industry in a variety of capacities, has died. According to his son, John, Grasse died from an aggressive form of dementia. He was 75 years old.

Grasse was a regular participant in rental industry events, most recently as regional sales manager for Broce Brooms, and was regularly seen at the American Rental Association, California Rental Association and other shows. Grasse’s father, Bill Grasse, was a co-founder of RER magazine and contributed a column, RenTopics, for more than 40 years, focusing on technical issues. Bill Grasse, who died in 2008, also played a major role in the expansion of Acme Rents, one of the rental industry’s earliest and fastest-growing consolidating rental companies.

Jim Grasse worked for several different rental companies and manufacturers, and played a leading role in the international growth of Caterpillar’s Cat Rental Stores in the position of Caterpillar global allied products program manager. Jim’s brother Larry, a decades-long veteran of the rental industry, was Western regional sales and new store opening manager for Volvo Rents, among other positions. His brother Ron also served in various capacities in the rental industry, including as CCE sales manager for Wagner Rents. His sister-in-law Vivian Grasse was regional safety manager for United Rentals, among other roles. Jim’s mother Ellie Grasse was also a goodwill ambassador for the rental industry.

Jim Grasse also worked as an executive with Acme Rents, Always Rentals and Volvo Rents. Grasse grew up and lived most of his life in Burbank, Calif.

 RER will share more information about Jim’s life, survivors, and funeral or celebration of life as it becomes available.

Vickie Christina Rybak, BHS 1987

Vickie Christina Rybak, BHS 1987 

1968- 2011

Vickie C. Rybak, 42, a resident of Zephyr Cove, passed away October 24, 2011. Vickie was born November 10, 1968 to George and Donna Rybak in Glendale, California. Vickie was the previous owner of Round Hill Video in Zephyr Cove and also went to school for and became a Certified Cosmetologist. Vickie was educated in hotel and restaurant management and worked for several years in supervisory positions for Woodland Hills Hilton in California. She loved the Tahoe area and always looked forward to the first snowfall, she was an excellent skier and enjoyed fishing with her father. Vickie was proud to be an American from Czech background in Prague. Vickie loved serious classic music by Dvorak’s “A New Symphony” and Smetana’s “My Country.”

Tahoe Times, October 2011

Stanley Raymond Payne, BHS 1959

Stanley Raymond Payne, BHS 1959

Published in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, Fort Collins, Colorado

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Stanley Raymond Payne, 68, of Fort Collins, died on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at home with his wife, Shirley and daughter, Debra. Stanley was born on Shabbat, March 15, 1941, in Burbank, California to William Franklin Payne and Estella B. Payne. He graduated from Burbank High School and attended UCLA for three years. He became a plumber and opened his own shop, Payne and Mechanical and Plumbing Company, in Fontana, California. At the time of his death he was retired from Local 3 Plumbers Union in Denver.

Stanley died on Shabbat during the Feast of Tabernacles, (Known in Hebrew as Sukkot). He had a passion lasting over 50 years for learning and following in the footsteps of the Messiah, and a gift for sharing both his passion and knowledge. He shared his knowledge and heart with many people from California to Israel and all points in between. Stanley had the gift of drawing people into his life and as a result he has many “adopted” children and extended family who will miss him greatly.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; daughters, Debra (Scott) Saddlemire, Lisa (Paul) Carney; son, Todd Payne; stepchildren, Melanie Pimentel, Scott Pimentel and John Hamers; brothers, Bob Payne and Tom Payne and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and two brothers.

A private memorial service was held in the home for close friends and extended family.

Arthur Lee Fall, BHS 1941

Arthur Lee Fall, BHS 1941

Coeur d’ Alene Press, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, Friday, January 11, 1991

Art L. Fall, 67, Coeur d’ Alene, died at his home Wednesday, January 9, 1991.

He was born February 17, 1923, in Gallup, New Mexico, to Howard and Gladys (Graham) Fall. He was raised and graduated from high school in Burbank, California. He served with the U. S. Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he became an excavating contractor in the Los Angeles area. He married Sue Welch on October 3, 1952, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and they moved to Coeur d’ Alene wherehe continued his career as a contractor and developer. In 1959 he built the Kidd Island cabins, a resort at Kidd Island Bay that he and his wife owned and operated for 17 years. For the past several years he worked on energy conservation heating systems.

He traditionally used the initials E.N. after his name, designating he was an energy nut.

He was the first president of North Idaho Building Contractors Associations, was a charter member of Homeowner Warranty Program of Idaho and the Kidd Island Bay Development Corp. and a member of Inland Northwest Energy Efficient Builders Association.

Survivors include his wife, Sue, at home; daughters, Diane Fall and Cindy Fall of Post Falls, Carol Ruyl, Susan Loper and Sandy Ward of Coeur d’ Allene, brother Wally Fall of Reseda, California, and 10 grandchildren.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Christ the King Lutheran Church with Rev. Ray Connor officiating. Yates Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family prefers memorials to Christ the King Lutheran Church. 

Lorretta Christoffersen Bolton, BHS 1965

Lorretta Christoffersen Bolton, BHS 1965

Burbank Leader Newspaper, July 2005

Lorretta Christoffersen Bolton died July 18, 2005 in Painesville, Ohio. She was 58.

Lorretta was born in Glendale and lived in Burbank for 28 years. She attended Burbank schools graduating from Burbank High School with the class of 1965. She went on to graduate with a B.A. from Cal State LA. Lorretta has lived in Ohio for the past 30 years where she worked as a preschool teacher and as a sales associate for Kaufmann’s Department Store.

Lorretta is survived by her husband of 32 years, John; her daughters, Robyn Bolton of Boston, MA and Diana Bolton of Seattle, WA; her mother, Esther Christoffersen of Burbank; her father, Robert Christoffersen of Carlsbad, CA; and her sisters, Dawn (Ed) Cooper of Covina, CA and Karen John Capellaro) Christoffersen of Burbank. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Advent Lutheran Children’s Playground Fund, 7985 Munson Road, Mentor, Ohio 44060.

Nellie Ruth Ehrhart Pierce, BHS 1924

Nellie Ruth Ehrhart Pierce, BHS 1924

The Modesto Bee, Modesto, California, Sunday, November 24, 1996

Nellie R. Pierce, September 21, 1906 – November 22, 1996

Nellie Ruth Pierce, 90, of Patterson died Friday at Del Puerto Hospital. Mrs. Pierce was a native of Blachly, Oregon. She lived in Patterson one year. She had retired after a career as a licensed vocational nurse.

She is survived by her children, David Martin of Pleasanton and Edward Martin of Parsons, Tennessee; and five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Private services, Hillview Funeral Chapel, Patterson, in charge of arrangements

Robert James Childress, BHS 1969

Robert James Childress, BHS 1969

Great Fall Tribune, Great Falls, Montana, Friday, May 22, 1987

Principal who resigned found dead at his home 

THOMPSON FALLS – The principal of the Thompson Falls Elementary School was found dead at his home earlier this week, and authorities say he may have died accidentally after deciding not to go through with a suicide attempt.

Bob Childress, in his 30s, was found dead on the floor of his garage Monday morning by Superintendent of Schools Gene Ostwald after Childress failed to report to work, according to Sanders County Coroner Mark Denke.

Denke said the garage door was closed and a key was found in the ignition of Childress pickup, but the engine was not running, apparently having run out of gas. Results of an autopsy performed this week are not complete, and the exact cause of death has not been determined, he said.

Denke said he suspected Childress died either from carbon monoxide poisoning or possibly from injuries received in a fall inside the garage. Childress apparently got out of the cab of his pickup, fell and hit his head on a faucet fixture, got up again, and then fell backwards onto the concrete floor, the coroner said.

Denke said it’s possible that Childress intended to commit suicide, but changed his mind as he was being overcome by carbon monoxide and was trying to get out of the truck when he fell. Childress had been principal at the school for three years, and last week submitted his resignation.

Vanessa Cristina Martinez, BHS 2007

Vanessa Cristina Martinez, BHS 2007

Vanessa Cristina Martinez beloved daughter, sister, fiancée, and aunt passed away on May 30, 2024.

Vanessa was born in Granada Hills, California to Javier and Cristina Martinez on October 8, 1989. She grew up in a loving family and attended Burbank High School, where she graduated in 2007. Pursuing her passion for science, she went on to earn a bachelor's degree in Biology from California State University, Northridge in 2018 which led her to achieving a career in laboratory sciences.

Vanessa had many passions and interests. She loved hiking, going to the beach, watching anime, and playing video games. However, her greatest joy came from spending quality time with her family and friends. Her deep love for her family was evident in everything she did, and it was the cornerstone of her life.

She is survived by her fiancé Rodney and their pets Dawny, Axel, and King; her sister Samantha, her husband Robert, and their son RJ; her brother Christopher, his partner Siomara, and their daughters Mia, Layla, and Ariel. Vanessa's kind spirit and generous heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Vanessa's presence brought warmth and love to those around her, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Vanessa's name.

FUNERAL HOME

Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation

4444 Cochran St

Simi Valley, California

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Rose Family Funeral Home & Cremation on Jun. 8, 2024.

Doris Lucille Geer Lease, BHS 1930

Doris Lucille Geer Lease, BHS 1930

The Chico Enterprise, Chico, California, Friday, August 15, 1986

MAGALIA – Memorial services for Doris Lucille Lease, 73, of Magalia will be held next Friday at 10 a.m. at the Brusie Funeral Home. She died Monday at a Chico hospital.

Mrs. Lease was born August 13, 1912, to John and Alice Geer in Pontiac, Michigan.  She graduated from Burbank High School and lived in Glendale and Pasadena for 50 years. She worked for Interpace in Glendale for 26 years.

Mrs. Lease and her husband retired to Paradise Pines area in 1978. She was a member of the Women’s Club and the Elks Wives.

Survivors include her husband, Barney, of Magalia; a son Richard Enon of Jenner in Sonoma County; a daughter, Pat Hendren of Huntington Beach and five grandchildren.

 

Bertha E. Haner Ewers, Retired Former BHS Teacher

Bertha E. Ewers, Retired BHS Teacher

Valley Times Today, North Hollywood, California, Monday, January 28, 1963

Bertha E. Ewers, of Torrance, passed away January 25, 1963. Former Burbank resident and retired teacher of Burbank High School for more than 20 years.

Survived by 2 sons; Dr. Duane Ewers and Donald Ewers, 1 sister, Imo V. Killian. 

Funeral services will be Tuesday, January 29, 1 p.m. at the Eckerman Funeral Service Chapel, Burbank. Interment, Forest Lawn, Glendale. Find A Grave Memorial