The Decade of the 1930’s 

The 1930’s. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, the largest stock market crash in American history, most of the decade was consumed by an economic downfall called the Great Depression that had a traumatic effect worldwide, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty. In response, authoritarian regimes emerged in several countries in Europe and South America, in particular the Third Reich in Germany. Weaker states such as Ethiopia, China, and Poland were invaded by expansionist world powers, the last of these attacks leading to the outbreak of the Second World War a few months before the end of the decade. The 1930s also saw a proliferation of new technologies, especially in the fields of intercontinental aviation, radio, and film. More about the 30’s on Wikipedia.

Alumni who graduated from the decade of 1930’s 

Class of 1936 – Hazel Elizabeth Fraser Smith – SMITH, Hazel Elizabeth Fraser Longtime resident of East Sacramento, Hazel Elizabeth Fraser Smith, passed away on January 21, 2015 at the age of 96. She was born to Joseph and Ethel Fraser on June 21, 1918 on a ranch near Winding Way in the Arcade area of Sacramento. Hazel attended Arcade Elementary School, where she was taught by Mrs. Dyer and Mrs. Kelley, and San Juan High School where she excelled in art and music and graduated in 1936. Shortly after graduation, she met and married Glenn Smith, a semi-professional baseball player who later opened a small chain of grocery stores in metro Sacramento called Glenn’s Markets. Throughout her life, Hazel was actively involved in her church and community. She was the advisor for the Youth of Unity (Y.O.U.) in downtown Sacramento, facilitating young people’s participation in church activities as well as annual cross-country trips to youth conferences in Lee Summit, Mo. Hazel also volunteered much of her time to baseball, as her husband and sons played on high school and local teams, and she continued to love of baseball throughout her senior years. In addition, following her love of music, for 30 years Hazel taught piano and organ lessons to students ages 4 to 75, many of who kept in touch over the years and remember her as a favorite teacher who often celebrated their efforts with warm homemade cookies or Scottish short bread following a lesson. Hazel lived her life with an open heart that celebrated family and invited friends to share the warmth. She is survived by her sons, David and Donal Smith of Sacramento; daughters-in-law, Dollie Smith and Janeil Smith; sister, Pep Sammis of Sacramento; grandchildren Eireann Smith of Sacramento, Glenda Smith of Hayward, Greg and Angy Smith of Oregon, Garett and Melissa Smith of Oregon, and Ryan Smith of Minnesota; great-grandchildren Heath and David Hocken of Oregon, Alexia, Nolan, and Delaney Smith of Oregon, and Ian Smith of Minnesota. 

Class of 1937 – Anthony “Tony” Codina –Anthony Codina, loving husband, father and friend, passed away February 7, 2017 at the age of 98. Known to family and friends as Tony, he was born in Vacaville April 3, 1918. His family relocated to Fair Oaks a few months after he was born and except for his time in the military, Tony lived his entire life in the Fair Oaks and Carmichael areas. He graduated from San Juan High School in 1937 and joined the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He sailed to Europe on the Queen Mary now docked in Long Beach and served as a communications lineman installing telephone and telegraph equipment in France and Germany. After VE Day, the Army sent Tony to the Philippines where he was discharged New Year’s Day, 1946. He worked for Lucky’s Market until his retirement in 1980. Tony was a lifetime member of the Carmichael Elks Lodge 2103 where he made many dear friends and coordinated the Wednesday night raffle for 20 years. He was also a long-time parishioner of St. John the Evangelist. Tony was known to eat six Hershey’s Kisses each day after lunch but his sweet tooth made him a fixture at See’s Candy. He bought and gave away hundreds of pounds of chocolates as a sign of his affection and appreciation to everyone in his life. He was also a fixture at the Fair Oaks Deli, where he enjoyed returning to the streets of his youth for Saturday coffee dates with his daughter, Beverly. Tony remained active throughout his life, insistent on mowing the lawn well into his 90s even on Sacramento’s hottest days. He was also known to shrug off car rides and walk to the lodge or to haircuts at Crestview shopping center. He is survived by Joyce, his devoted wife of 69 years, his loving daughters Lucinda Sharp (Jim), Beverly Codina and grandchildren, James Sharp (Debbie) and Laura Sharp Dixon (Robert), plus his sister Isabel Coval and numerous nieces and nephews. His family would like to send a special thank you to Dr. David Patella and Snowline Hospice for their outstanding care in Tony’s final days. Private family graveside services were held at Fair Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tony’s name to St. Vincent de Paul c/o St. John the Evangelist on Locust Ave. in Carmichael. Published in The Sacramento Bee on Feb. 19, 2017

Class of 1938 – Frank Kageta, 96, of Rocklin, CA passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his children on June 15, 2016. Born February 15, 1920 in Fair Oaks to Isaburo and Yukiko Kageta, Frank was preceded in death by his wife Florence, his brother Joe and sister Meta (Nagaoka). A sports enthusiast his whole life, he loved baseball and was an avid bowler achieving a perfect 300 game at the age of 65. In the early 1940’s Frank was incarcerated at Tule Lake in California and Heart Mountain in Wyoming. While interned at the relocation camp Frank volunteered for service in the Army and joined in the highly decorated 442nd Infantry Battalion. For his actions in Europe he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in 2012. After his discharge from the Army, he became a fruit farmer and member of the Loomis Community for over 60 years, where he coached youth baseball and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church where he and Florence led the MYF group for years. At age 65 he retired from the Placer County Water Agency after 13 years employment. He belonged to the American Legion and the Japanese American Citizens League where he was instrumental in the reparations for all of the interned Japanese Americans. Frank is survived by his children Richard Kageta, Grant Kageta (Maria), Stuart Kageta, Keren Feuz (Michael), 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren and his sister Sadame. Frank was loved by all he knew of every age. He will be missed. To honor Frank’s life & legacy, A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 30th, 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church of Loomis. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: FUMC of Loomis, or the Loomis American Legion. Published in The Sacramento Bee on July 24, 2016.

Class of 1938 – Ida Mae Hockett Malkovsky – Ida passed away on June 21, 2014 at the age of 94. She now rests in peace with her beloved husband of 68 years, George, who passed away five years earlier. Ida was the middle child of eight siblings, all of whom preceded her in death. Her family included: her parents, Birda (Bacon) and Earl Hockett; her five brothers Emil, Ralph, Henry, Earl and Elmer Hockett; and her two sisters, Wilma Tonzi and Elinor Hall. Ida’s surviving family includes: her two daughters, Melanie Thimgan and Karyn Domich; two sons-in-laws, David Thimgan and Thomas Domich; four grandchildren, Jonathan (Mary) Biggs, Gregory Biggs, Jennifer Domich, Michele (Jason) Summers; and six great-grandchildren, James, Thomas and Eric Biggs and Jacob, Katelynne and Kamrynne Summers. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends. Ida lived a full life taking many classes and being active in several clubs, including The Bonsai Club and Travel Club. She volunteered many years for the Senior Gleaners, the Sacramento Zoo and the Music Circus. Despite having macular degeneration and being legally blind for the last fifteen years of her life, she figured out a way to continue doing everything she loved, the best she could and for as long as she could, which included: exploring nature, camping, boating, fishing, traveling, sewing, gardening, painting, ceramics, genealogy, astrology, cooking, and listening to her audio books. Ida was an alumna of San Juan High School (1938) and Sacramento Junior College (1940). In 1941 she married George Malkovsky, the love of her life. She worked for the State of California for 20 years. Ida was most proud of: being a native Californian; her husband’s participation in World War II; and her family. She was a sweet mother, a cherished grandmother and a beloved great-grandmother. She provided her family with many happy memories, lots of advice (or as she called it, “wisdom”) and an abundance of love. Ida asked for her tombstone to read, “Born Happy, Died Happy.” She treasured her life and her family and friends. We will always remember her with love. Per her request, a private family remembrance was held. Ida’s family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at Kaiser South Sacramento for their unbelievable care, kindness and support as we held vigil until she passed. The family would also like to recognize Patrick Gormley Jr. of W.F. Gormley and Sons for his above and beyond service to our family. Arrangements by W.F. Gormley and Sons.

Class of 1938 – Dolores Ramona Granstedt – Granstedt, Dolores Ramona Age 94, of Orangevale passed away on May 6, 2015. Born in Vallejo, CA on September 25, 1920 to Earl and Leslie Hill. She spent more than 80 years of her life in the Orangevale/Fair Oaks area. A graduate of San Juan High School and Sacramento City College LVN program in 1971. “Dee” cared for private patients, worked in the Sacramento County Hospital and in the medical office of her husband Dr. William A. Granstedt (who preceded her in death). She is survived by her daughters, Julie Curry of Davis CA and Theresa Parker of Gold River, CA, her niece Nancy Myeron and nephews Les and Rod Hill all of Orangevale, CA, 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, as well as a host of relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her daughters, Deanna Sturm of Woodland, CA and Kathy Traversi of Browns Valley, CA, sister Lois Pierce, brother Bud Hill and longtime companion Phillip Walker, all of Orangevale. Services will be held May 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at Mount Vernon Memorial Park, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, CA 95628. Mom’s passions were music and love of nature, in lieu of flowers, donations to KVIE Channel 6, or the Nature Conservancy would honor her memory. Published in The Sacramento Bee on May 17, 2015. Read more at Sacramento Bee Legacy

Class of 1939 – Evelyn Rickets Heim – HEIM, Evelyn P. (nee Ricketts) Of Folsom, was born November 27, 1919 at a private home in Roseville, California. Her journey ended April 17, 2015. She was the second child born to J. Earl and Margaret Ricketts of Fair Oaks, California. Evelyn’s interests included traveling, oil painting and genealogy. She had been a member of the Presbyterian Church, Women’s Thursday Club and the San Juan High School alumni. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Frances Heim, her husband of 64 years, Alwin W. Heim, and her brothers Earl (Bud) Ricketts and Ralph Ricketts. Surviving are her son, William Heim of Rio Linda; daughter, Mary Clark (husband Robert) of Panama; brother, John Ricketts (wife Betty) of Orangevale; sister, Marguerite Allott of Fair Oaks. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and their families. Services will be on Saturday May 2nd, 10am at Mount Vernon Memorial Park and Mortuary, 8201 Greenback Lane, Fair Oaks, Ca. in the Chapel of the Valley. Visitation will be Friday, May 1st from 4pm to 8pm at Mount Vernon. Evelyn’s family wishes to thank Hospice for their tender caring at the end of her journey. Published in The Sacramento Bee on Apr. 29, 2015. Read more at the Sacramento Bee Legacy

Class of 1939 – Marion Elaine Marinovich – MARINOVICH, Marion Elaine Born August 27, 1921 in Fair Oaks, California, Marion Elaine Marinovich passed away on Feb. 12, 2015. Marion was the devoted daughter of Elsie Webb Coney and her dear step-father, Herbert L. Coney. She attended Fair Oaks Grammar School and graduated from San Juan High School in 1939. She worked for the telephone company in Fair Oaks in the days when lines were manually connected at switchboards. Later she worked as a salesperson at J.C. Penney, starting at the old store located at 12 and L St.’s. in Sacramento. She married John Paul Marinovich in 1941. For 55 years, they loved each other and celebrated the cycles of life with their ever-growing family. Marion is survived by three children, Jerry, John, and Michael (Anne) Marinovich; four grandchildren, Kimberly Marinovich Perry (Bruce), Fay Bursch (Adam), John Marinovich (Laurel), and Matthew Marinovich (Susan); and 5 great-grandchildren who were with her at the close of her life. The family thanks the staff of Sherwood Health Care for their excellent care during the past four years. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 from 9-10 am at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, 5401 Folsom Blvd in Sacramento, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Chapel at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 6700 21st Ave in Sacramento at 11:00 am.Published in The Sacramento Bee on Feb. 15, 2015. Read more at the Sacramento Bee Legacy