Deaths in the Family

Carol Larsen (90) passed away on March 1, 2023 in Littleton, CO. She is preceded in death by her husband Al. Carol is survived by her son David and wife Dora Larsen and their children Matt, Jake and Josh. And by her daughter Ann and husband Bill Crump and their children Amy and Daniel (who is newly married to Kassandra).

Carol was a member of Lake Avenue Church for over 50 years until moving to Colorado to be near family in 2013. She taught Sunday School and served on ministry committees and in Adult Sunday School Leadership in Voyagers class as well as led women's bible studies.

A memorial will be held on March 25 at 2:30pm in Littleton, CO. Use the link below to view the obituary and a link to a video tribute.
 https://www.horancares.com/obituary/Carol-Larsen

Patricia L. Adams of Altadena, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 31, 2022. She was 98 years old and lived a full and vibrant life. She was born in Los Angeles December 2, 1924.

At an early age, Patricia accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and remained faithful all of her life. She sang in the Lake Ave Choir for many years.

Patricia graduated from California State University Los Angeles with an English major with minor in music, B.A. In 1965 Patricia became an educator and taught for many years in the Los Angeles School District.

Patricia later graduated from the Western State University College of Law. She participated in Moot Court, Women’s law Institute and Toastmasters of America. Patricia was an Instructor of Medical Office Procedures and Jurisprudence Cleveland Chiropractic College, Los Angeles.

Singing was one of the great joys of her life. For several years Patricia sang in various vocal groups including the Gwen Wyatt Chorale. Patricia performed at the Carnegie Hall New York, and Disney Hall Los Angeles.

Patricia was predeceased by her husband of 72 years Rick Kyle Coats Adams.
She is survived by her sisters Dolores Evans of Los Angeles, and Lillyan Swanyne of Lancaster. Children: Joya Delaney, Stephine Jenkins, and Richard M. Adams (Gayle).
Grandchildren: Nicole Benton, James Delaney, DeAndre Jenkins, Jerry (Dara), Brandon (Mariah) and Jason (Celeste) Smith.
Great-Grandchildren: Cameron, Carin (Wendall), Caira, Jayme, Savannah, Julianna, Tai, Trinity, Anjali, Chloe, Bryce, Brandon Jr, Samuel, and Daniel.
Great-great grandchildren: Wendall Jr, and Kenzo.

Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled for Saturday February 11, 2023 at 1:30pm at the Lake Avenue Church Chapel. Pastor John Smyser Officiating.

Donna Lynn Johnson Thomas Olivarez, our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, cousin, friend and colleague, departed this life, unexpectedly, on 16 December 2022, at the age of sixty- nine. Oldest of three girls, she was born at Letterman Army Hospital, Presidio of San Francisco, California, to proud parents, Marion J. Johnson and Iris E. Johnson (née Wilkerson).

“Lynn,” as she was commonly known, attended the University of California at San Diego and had a Certificate in Ministry.

Lynn met and married Curtis Thomas, deceased, and then was married to Henry Olivarez in 2004.

She spent most of her professional life happily working in the insurance industry, for such companies as AIG and Mitsui Sumitomo, specializing in Workers’ Compensation.

Most importantly, Lynn knew Jesus as her personal Savior and was a long time, faithful member of Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California — she loved attending their Covenant Class. Lynn gave glory to God through her untiring, passionate work with the Prison Ministry helping ex-convicts, incarcerated juveniles, the homeless, and participating in the prayer ministry. Lynn was especially gratified with her past work with the Walter Hoving Home of Pasadena, a spiritually-based Home for women trapped in the vicious cycle of addiction and low self-worth. Lynn was extremely kindhearted and always greeted everyone with a smile.

She leaves to mourn, her parents, Judge Marion Johnson and Iris Johnson, as well as her stepmother, Bertha Johnson; two sisters, Renee Jewell and Diane Ford; two half-brothers, Marlon Johnson and William Johnson; one son, Vincent Thomas; one stepson, Charvus Thomas; seven grandchildren, Michael Thomas, Vincent Thomas Junior (deceased), Christopher Thomas, Da’Von Thomas, Destinee Thomas, Venetia Thomas, and Victoria Thomas; four great- grandchildren, Christopher Thomas Junior, Casson Thomas, Emani Thomas, and Bailey Thomas; four nieces, Carlyn Stacey Jewell, Dana Ford Buerger, Felicia Jewell Thompson, and Danielle Ford Pauljohn; one nephew, Brandon Jewell. (Nephew Stephen Ford is deceased); and, finally, a great-niece, Vesper Buerger; and six great- nephews, Brandon Jewell Junior, Jaden Jewell, Elijah Jewell, Jackson Pauljohn, Atticus Buerger, and Phoenix Buerger.

A memorial service will be held at the Chapel at Lake Avenue Church on Wednesday, January 18 at 11am followed by a reception.

Those Who Touch Our Lives … Stay in our Hearts Forever …

Margaret Joanne Staus (Culp) passed away unexpectedly at home on Sunday, November 13, 2022. She was the wife of Timothy Staus. Born in Los Angeles on March 19, 1946, to the late Harold and Lelia (Longcrier) Culp. Margaret grew up in Alhambra and graduated from Alhambra High School in 1964. She met Timothy at church, and they married in 1964. They eventually settled in South Pasadena where they began their family and raised their four children.

Margaret and Timothy were faithful members of the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena where they shared their faith with family and the many close friends they met in their bible study. Margaret and Tim built a family business together and worked tirelessly before selling the business in the mid-nineties. Margaret was employed by the Paramelt Company in Rosemead for almost 25 years handling many accounting functions for the business. She enjoyed working and was planning her retirement for later this year. Margaret and Tim enjoyed camping in the Sierras over the years with their children and passed their love for the outdoors to them. Their last trip was in 2021, camping in Southern Utah enjoying family time. She loved to knit, watch cooking and home improvement shows, and every now and then she would get her cheers together for the Dodgers and Rams.
Margaret loved her large family, and she was most proud to be a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Even though her family was spread near and far, she always cherished the time when they visited her home and enjoyed backyard BBQs and swimming in the pool.

In addition to her husband Timothy, she is survived by her son Matthew (Michelle), daughter Victoria Kiah, daughter Rebecca Simpson (Mike) and son Jonathan (Cara), her ten grandchildren: Whitney Roberts (Eric), Taylor, Zachary, Jordan and Brandon Staus, Haley Martell (Kyle), Derek and April Simpson, Thomas Kiah and Aiden Staus, her great grand-children Brody and Brooklyn Roberts. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Susan Culp, sister-in-law Pamela Penner (Phil) and her nieces and grand-nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Gordon Culp, brother-in-law Terry Staus and son-in-law Greg Kiah.

Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Lake Avenue Church at 393 North Lake Avenue Pasadena, CA 91101 held in The Chapel at 11am.
Private Family internment burial will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Rose Hills in Whittier, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Margaret's name to either
Walter Hoving Home -  https://hovinghome.org/donate-now-button/
Door of Hope -  https://doorofhope.us/donate/

The Staus family would like to thank everyone for all the Prayers, Love, and Support.

Richard Lee (74) passed away on October 24, 2022. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, daughter Sharon (Andrew), sons Aaron (Kristen) and Jon (Karena) and 6 grandchildren. Richard participated in the men's fellowship breakfast, various small groups and Chinese fellowship. The memorial will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale on Wednesday, November 16 at 9:00 am in the Little Church of Flowers. Reverend Matt Dunn officiating. No Floral Tributes Please. Donations may be made in his memory to the Men's Ministry at Lake Avenue Church. Please write Men's Ministry on the memo line.

Iris Lazarian, aged 95, went home to be with the Lord on October 17. She is survived by sons Steve Jr. and Stan, daughters Nancy Rose, Diana Lazarian, and Darlene Ward, along with 10 grandchildren and 23 great-children. Iris was a longtime member of Lake Avenue Church, a member of Kings Couriers class, sang in the choir and was involved in the women's ministry and Care Visitation program. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 20 at 3pm in the Worship Center. Joshua and Jeremy Rose will be officiating.

Robert Lawrence Aldera aged 79, passed away on September 15, 2022. He is survived by his wife Linda, 3 sister-in-law's and their families; Kathy and Ed Duffy, son Rob and wife Kirstie; Terry Cross; Barbra and Chris Riegel, daughter Kate and son Scott. Robert was a member of Galileans class, prayer leadership team and congregational life leader. Bob was a photographer, Bob Lawrence Photography.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Lake Avenue Church in the Chapel on Saturday, November 19, at 11am. David and Jeanie Richardson will be officiating.

Janet Rae Wendling aged 78, passed away on September 21, 2022. She is survived by her husband Ken, sons Paul and wife Julie, Tim and wife Marci, Mark and wife Marianne, as well as 8 grandchildren. Jan was a longtime member of Lake Avenue Church and an LAC missionary in Asia. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Lake Avenue Church on Friday November 18 at 11am in the Chapel. Rev John Wood officiating.