OBITUARIES

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory Obituaries

Local obituaries for families Sonoma and Marin Counties

Gisela Maria Benson

Gisela Maria Benson

2025

Gisela was born in Dahn, Germany to Willi and Klara Engel. She grew up in Cologne, Germany with her siblings Klaus and Christa. After high school graduation Gisela attended business school. Upon completion of business school Gisela worked for a clothing design company. In 1958, Gisela met a young American Soldier by the name of John Benson in a cafe...

Ryan Lee Shaw

Ryan Lee Shaw

Sep 20, 2025

Ryan Lee Shaw, age 42, was born on April 21, 1983 in Omaha, NE and passed away unexpectedly on September 20, 2025 after a medical emergency at his home in Santa Rosa, CA. His family and friends are deeply saddened at the sudden loss of an incredible, beautiful soul.

Ryan was a smart and driven man who spent most of his...

Robert Michael Donahue

Robert Michael Donahue

2025

Died in Petaluma on September 17, 2025, days after a fall in his home in Calaveras County. Born at home in 1932 in Chicago to John and Bernice “MeMe” (Barker), he received his certification in 1950 from Chicago Vocational High School (a school of more than 4,000 boys). Over 50 years later, he was invited back to be inducted into...

Michael Dennis Flint

Michael Dennis Flint

Sep 15, 2025

Michael Dennis Flint of Petaluma, CA, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, and community leader whose life was marked by service, faith, and kindness.

Born on September 13, 1941, in Corpus Christi, Texas, Mike proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he...

Douglas Kent Karr

Douglas Kent Karr

Sep 8, 2025

Douglas K. Karr passed away September 8, 2025 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was born July 23, 1952 in LeMars, Iowa. Preceded in death by his parents Weston and Edna Karr and mother-in-law Eda Tomasetti.

Douglas is survived by Linda, his best friend and loving wife of 43 years. Children Kari and Rich Van Dam, Kory and Lisa...

John Louis Scharer

John Louis Scharer

Sep 7, 2025

John Louis Scharer, age 90, of Petaluma, California, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, after a short illness. A devoted family man and respected community leader, John’s life was marked by love, service, and dedication to both his family and to Petaluma.

Born on December 29, 1934, in Susanville, California, John grew up in Healdsburg. He was the second child...

Michael Matthew Zetzer

Michael Matthew Zetzer

Aug 21, 2025

As the sun rose on the horizon on August 21, 2025, Michael Matthew Zetzer set sail to join his heroes in his next adventure in the halls of forever. Born on January 12, 1951, son to Myer Albert Zetzer and Florence Zetzer, Husband to Debbie A. Zetzer, Father to David & Aaron, his wife Rozanna and pops to his cherished...

Frances M. Otani

Frances M. Otani

Aug 21, 2025

A woman of unwavering faith and steady strength, Frances Otani passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on August 21, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 85 years old.

Born in Champaign, Illinois on August 20th, 1940. Fran was the beloved daughter of Frank and Faye Cacioppo. She was raised in the Catholic faith and attended...

Deborah Rose Pacheco

Deborah Rose Pacheco

Aug 8, 2025

It is with the deepest of hearts that we embrace all of you to tell you Deborah (Debi) Rose Pacheco passed away on August 8th, 2025, she was surrounded by family, and if you know her, she did not go silently and fought her battle to be with us all until the very end. She will be always remembered as...

Maria Luisa Mendez

Maria Luisa Mendez

Aug 7, 2025

Our incredible Maria — loving wife, mother, and grandmother — took her final breath surrounded by her family on Thursday, August 7th. She was 78 years old.

Maria is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Jorge Mendez; loving daughters, Sandra and Noemi; adoring son, Victor (Kara); cherished grandchildren, Giovanni and Milania; brothers, Johnnie and Pedro; and many nieces, nephews,...

Phyllis Byrne

Phyllis Byrne

Aug 6, 2025

The Summer Wind Came Blowin’ In From Across The Sea. It Lingered There . . .



and touched and took our great beloved matriarch PHYLLIS BYRNE nee O’Connor three days before her 92nd birthday. Phylis was born in San Diego and moved to San Rafael as a toddler when her Navy father was reassigned. This continued a long line of the...

Florence B. Olsen

Florence B. Olsen

Aug 6, 2025

Florence B. Olsen was born on December 9, 1930 in Herkimer, Kansas. Our loving mother, grandmother, and friend went to be with her husband and the Lord on August 6, 2025.

She leaves behind her three children: Diane Olsen Proteau, Carl Olsen, and Sandra Olsen Wandel; five grandchildren: Samantha Proteau-Wassef, William Proteau, Landon Wandel, Bradford Olsen and Sean Olsen. Son-in-laws Brian...

Margaret C. Bordessa

Margaret C. Bordessa

Aug 1, 2025

Margaret always felt 16. She believed in all her dreams and that all the possibilities life holds were alive and hers for the taking. She was the loving wife of John P. Bordessa, devoted mother of Michael (Cindy), Marilyn, Liz (Dave), and Elaine (Kim). Cherished Grandchildren, Brittany (Matt), Christina, Angelina (Daniel), Michael (Kate), Anthony, Marissa. Blessed Great Grandchildren Siena, Ada,...

Josefa Maria Ramos

Josefa Maria Ramos

Jul 29, 2025

With deep sorrow and joyous memories, the family of Josefa "Jo" Maria Ramos (Berroteran) announces her passing on July 29, 2025. Approaching 90 years, Jo spent her final days reminiscing with her loved ones on her joyous and accomplished life by sharing cherished memories. 

Known to family as "Chepita", she was born in Granada, Nicaragua on September 6, 1935, the sixth...

Ida B. Sartori

Ida B. Sartori

Jul 28, 2025

Ida B. Sartori, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at Taking The Journey in Petaluma, California, on July 28, 2025, at the age of 91, (just 8 days before her 92nd birthday) surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Sonoma, California, she was the daughter of the late Pietro and Assunta Maffioli. She was the wife...

Suzanne J. Capella

Suzanne J. Capella

Jul 27, 2025

Suzanne J. Capella - Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend. Sue, passed on July 27, 2025, after a long and happy life. Sue was born in St. Paul, MN, but in her youth came to California with her family. After their subsequent move to Petaluma, she soon met her future husband Richard “Riccardo” Capella and started a...

Carolyn Ann Moreda

Carolyn Ann Moreda

Jul 24, 2025

Carolyn Ann Moreda peacefully passed away at the age of 92, on July 24th, 2025.

Carolyn was born in Vallejo, California and raised in Rodeo, California. Carolyn is the daughter of Frank and Albertina Lawrence. She attended elementary school in Rodeo, California and then attended high school in Crockett California, she graduated from Armstrong College in Berkeley, California, with a business...

Steven Robert Rakitnichan

Steven Robert Rakitnichan

Jul 19, 2025

Steven Rakitnichan, aka Rat, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on July 19, 2025, at the age of 76. Steve was born in Petaluma on February 6, 1949. He grew up on a chicken ranch and passed away on the same property. After graduating from Petaluma High School in 1967, he began working for Boutz TV. He...

Joni Ann Kelly

Joni Ann Kelly

Jul 19, 2025

     Joni Ann Kelly passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on July 19, 2025. Born in San Rafael and raised in Novato, Joni attended San Marin High School, where she met Jim, the love of her life. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. In 1982, the couple moved to Petaluma, where they built their...

Subscribe

Subscribe to get alerts on new obituaries when they are posted.

About Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory Obituaries and Tributes

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory offers a collection of obituaries for Petaluma, Sebastopol, Sonoma and Marin County, CA. We conduct funeral services throughout California that are updated regularly. Find local obituaries and join us in celebrating memories and honoring their lives and legacies. 

GriefSteps Logo
A Year of Grief Support

Sign up for one year of weekly grief messages designed to provide strength and comfort during this challenging time.