Category Archives: Alumni

Carol Elizabeth (Akam) Sorensen — Class of 1953

Mrs. Carol Elizabeth Sorensen, 79, of Ridgecrest passed away on Feb. 24, 2015 at Palmdale Regional Hospital after a battle with cancer. She was a resident of Kern County since 1979.

A memorial service took place on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. at Desert Christian Center, 100 E. Bataan Ave., Ridgecrest, with a celebration of life potluck following at the American Legion. She was cremated.

She was born on Aug. 27, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minn. She was a retired waitress and bartender, and was also part of the American Legion Auxiliary and an Inyokern Senior Citizen Board member and weekly servant. She loved yard-saling, camping, fishing, gardening, Bingo, spending time with family and friends and chatting on the phone with loved ones, whom she called daily.

She is survived by her husband Keith Sorensen, of Ridgecrest; children Sharon Vinson-Flores of Ridgecrest, Martha Kennedy and husband Kory of Ulm, Mont., Linda Spears of Bakersfield, Nancy DeGano of Ridgecrest, David and wife Lori Sorensen of Ridgecrest and Linda and Jony Sorensen of Ridgecrest; siblings Teresa Arkenburg of Rialto, Calif., David Akam of Seattle, Mary “Lulu” Mayfield of Yucaipa, Margaret “Mippy” Rameriz of Rockford, Ill., Diana Gonzales of Calimesa, Calif., and Donald Akam of Ridgecrest; 21 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by son Charles Pounds, parents Frank Fremal Akam and Elizabeth Bernice Akam, and brother Frank Akam.

— Submitted by the family of Carol Elizabeth Sorensen

http://www.news-ridgecrest.com/news/story.pl?id=0000003595

Judith Ann “Judy” (Bueltmann) Johnson — Class of 1956

Judith Ann “Judy” Johnson (nee Bueltmann) died on April 24, 2019 in Vancouver, WA, at the age of 81 after a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s disease.

Judy was born on November 1, 1938 in St. Louis, MO to Ed and Mary Lou Bueltmann. The family moved to Trona, Ca in 1947. Judy graduated from Trona High School in 1956 and attended Chaffey College in San Bernardino. She met Logan Johnson in Trona and they were soon married in Reno, NV in 1957. The couple made their home in Trona where Judy worked in the central offices at the Trona High School. They had three children in Trona before relocating to Vancouver, WA.

Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Logan Johnson; two sons, Howard Johnson (Kathleen) and Jeff Johnson (Tammy) of Vancouver; daughter Jill Greiner (Steve) of Portland; brother Ed Bueltmann (Phyllis) of Lake Isabella, CA; and sisters Linda Kaletka (Jim) and Laurie Holte (Bruce) of Tucson, AZ; and two granddaughters.

A memorial to celebrate Judy’s life was held in Vancouver, WA on May 12th at the home of Howard and Kathleen Johnson.

— Linda Bueltmann.

Wallace Dean Martin 1941-2019

We now have dates for services to be held for Wallace:

Wednesday, May 8th at 1:00; Alongsiders Church, 2830 NE Flanders St, Portland, OR 97232 Saturday, May 18th at 11:00; Christian Fellowship, 83435 Trona Rd, Trona, CA 93562


One thing that has always stood out to me about Wallace was his kind gentle smile. After reading about his life I can see that it wasn’t just on the surface. It was a reflection of who he was inside and a reflection of how he chose to live his life. I know he will be missed by his family and all those who knew him. I offer my warmest thoughts and best wishes to all his family especially Walter who I know misses him deeply. I urge you to click on the text below and follow the link to his full obituary.


Wallace Dean Martin, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 3, at 1:30 p.m.He died of an unknown neurological disease that came on rapidly.Throughout the months of his illness, Wallace retained his charm, positive demeanor and sense of humor, providing joy and encouragement to his family, friends, and care givers.He passed peacefully surrounded by his wife of 56 years, Betty, and his two daughters, Patricia and Judi. He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Sheridan and Ayla; sons-in-law Ian Marshall and David Argast; older brother Larry Martin, younger brother James Martin and his twin, Walter Gene Martin.Wallace also leaves behind a multitude of cherished friends and loved ones. […]

 

Charles “Chuck” Hardison — Class of 1953

Chuck Hardison died in the fall of 2015

Charles Edward Hardison was born on January 3, 1935, in Kern County, California to William and Matilda Hardison. He was proceeded in death by his parents; two brothers, Walter “Butch” and Larry and by two sisters, Mildred and Bobby. He is survived by one brother, Jerry, the twin brother of Larry.

Judy Allen — Class of 1974

More sad news on Facebook from Barbara Allen Lee, class of 1970:

It is with a broken heart I am letting friends of Judy Allen…know of her passing yesterday. 1956-2019. She leaves 2 fabulous sons who will miss her terribly. She leaves an older sister who will be missing her every day. She was a fabulous mom who raised her boys for the most part single handedly. She had a very successful teaching career. She was very devoted to her students. She strove to make their lives better. She was a positive presence, a good and kind human being with a great sense of humor and a brilliantly beautiful smile. Please keep her wonderful boys in your prayers.

Judy Allen was born in 1956 and died on April 18, 2019. She was a member of the class of 1974.

Roselyn (Brunn) Keeling — Class of 1951

Roselyn Ann (Brunn) Keeling was born Sept 3, 1932 and died  Jan 17, 2010. Her father, Elris Van Doren Brunn, worked in Trona. He died in 1977 and his remains were buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Roselyn married Kenneth A Keeling  July 24,1950, the summer before she graduated from THS . Kenneth and Roselyn are the uncle and aunt of Sarah Keeling Polly class of 1962 and several other THS alumni. Roselyn and her husband are both buried in the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Roselyn’s mother, Carrie, died in 1969. Her sisters are: Eilleen (Brunn) Ryan who died before 2011; Marcyline Annette (Brunn) Powers who died in 2002; Delores (Brunn) Thigpen who died in 2005; and Lorella Lee (Brunn) Peyton who died in 2011 and is buried in Ridgecrest. Her Mother Carrie B (Ketchum) Murphy died in 1969. She was survived by her sister Joyce (Leo Rognlie).  Joyce Faith (Brunn) Rognlie was in the THS class of 1957 as a freshman and sophomore  and then she transferred to Twentynine Palms High School.

 

 

Sarah (Keeling) Polly — Class or 1962

From Ann Pohan Tankersley on Facebook:

Sarah (Keeling) Polly, Class of 1962, passed away on April, 10, 2019 of Alzheimer’s.

Sarah Lou Kelling was born to Alfred Hackney Keeling and Cleo Harness on April 28, 1944 in Los Angeles County. Sarah was the former wife of Doug Polly who was also in the class of 1962. Sarah and Doug  were married in 1963 and divorced in 1974. Doug passed away in 2006. They had two children, Shawn and Karin.

This is very sad news. We send our prayers to her family.

The list of Keeling that were Trona High alumni is very long They are: Roselyn ’51, Betty ’58, Alfreda ’60, Sarah ’62, Katy ’63, Larry ’66, Alfred ’72, Kevin ’74 and Brad ’78

Larry Keeling was killed in Vietnam on June 09, 1969 and seems to be from another Keeling family.

If you know how any of these Keelings are related please leave a message in the comments.

Patsy (Still) Watson — Class of 1957

From Teresa Still on Facebook:

Patsy (Still) Watson has gone from this earth to join her parents (JC & Cleo Still) in Heaven on 17 April 2019. She was a 1957 Trona graduate. She is survived by her husband (Leon Watson), her 2 sons (Ron & Don Watson), grandchildren, great grandchildren, Aunt Elene Still Chandler, Uncle Russell Still and cousins.

Pat Still from 1954 Trona Telescope

http://www.hollandlyons.com/obituary/patsy-watson?lud=208ADDA0BCD2CD10388EE5A0E1D8AC35&fbclid=IwAR2FF0gawHzBfZs_DxjHD8RbUP_pOrrUIjEMmoD7AYz6TtMAZpviRPUtmJ4