News

Margaret (Luecke) Kidwell (96) passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 25, 2019 at Cedar Creek retirement community in Madera surrounded by her loving family. Margaret was born in Freeport, Illinois to Robert and Margaret Luecke. She received her early education in Freeport schools graduating from Aquin High School and later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Margaret married Thomas Thurman Kidwell on September 4, 1948 and they began their life together eventually becoming parents to eight children. In 1963 they relocated to Madera, California where Dr. Kidwell was appointed Medical Director of the Madera County Public Health Department. The Kidwell family became active in the Madera Community especially at St. Joachim Parish where the Kidwell children attended school. Margaret a devout Catholic, attended daily Mass, was a member of the Legion of Mary, the Altar and Rosary Society, & volunteered at the St.Vincent De Paul store.

John M. “Mitch” Lasgoity (89) passed away on June 26, 2019 surrounded by family. Mitch was born on April 11, 1930 in Madera to Jean Lasgoity and Jennie Ospital Lasgoity and has made his home here ever since. Mitch was raised on the family 40 acre ranch south of the town of Madera with his parents, maternal grandmother and two bachelor uncles who spoke to him in Basque. Thus, he grew up bi-lingual with two mother-tongues. Under the tutelage of his parents and uncles, Mitch learned and never lost his love for farming and animal husbandry.

Mitch attended Alpha School, Madera High School and Santa Clara University from which he graduated with a degree in business in 1952. Upon graduation, he became partners with his father in their sheep business and took over the farming of their 40 acres. Eventually, Mitch bought the sheep from his father and became self-employed at the age of 27. He married Rosemary Mastrofini in 1957 and together they expanded their farming interests, grew their sheep business and began to run cattle in Madera County. Through his commitment to work, his intelligence and curiosity, Mitch developed and enjoyed many close relationships and had many friends.

MADERA - Sam Pistoresi (87), affectionately refered to as "Madera's Godfather" by his friends and family, a native and longtime resident of Madera, California passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by family and loved ones early on Friday, June 21, 2019. Sam was born to August and Norma Pistoresi in Madera, California on May 9, 1932. At an early age he worked on the family farm where strong work ethics and values were instilled in him which he carried throughout his life.

He attended local schools and graduated from Madera High School with the class of 1948. He later married his high school sweetheart Joy Ann Del Bono on February 3, 1952. They had two daughters, Patricia Ann Bowery and Joy Elaine Pistoresi. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War and was stationed off the coast of North Korea.

UKIAH -  The Mendocino County Sheriff's Department has lowered their flags to half-mast at their main building to honor former Madera attorney and Mendocino County Chief Public Defender Linda A. Thompson who passed away later last week after a year-long battle with cancer. Linda was born on September 14, 1959, and passed away on June 13, 2019.

She was born and raised in La Crescenta, in between Burbank and Pasadena, until such time she graduated high school in 1977 and went off to college at Arizona State University. She graduated ASU in 1981 and went to Law School at the University of San Francisco in 1981. In July of 1985, she started in criminal public defense in Madera, California, eventually becoming one of their contract defenders for six years and contracting out in Fresno, Madera, Merced, and Stanislaus Counties.

Norma Claire Jantzen (81) passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 in Madera at the age of 81. Norma was a lifelong resident of Madera. She was born to Warren and Kathryn Younger on July 13, 1937. Norma attended local schools. She graduated from Fresno State and was a teacher at Madera and Furman High Schools. Norma was a member of the Madera Avenue Bible Church.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents and her younger brother Gilbert “Bud” Younger. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Bill Jantzen, her sons Greg Jantzen and his wife Jane of Dinuba, Chris Jantzen and his wife Traci of Texas, her daughter Tracy Jantzen of Madera, two sisters Mavis Sheridan of Ventura and Louise Joses of San Andreas. Norma also leaves behind five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.