Looking back on those who helped shape Valley life

It's become a tradition at The Record-Courier to begin the new year with a final tribute to those we lost in the past year who helped shape Carson Valley.

We limit our list to 20 names, but invite our readers to submit memories and photos of their loved ones who died in 2009.

The tragic death on April 23 of 15-year-old Molly Rae Lahlum two weeks after she collapsed at a swim meet deeply touched the Douglas High School sophomore's family and friends and rippled through the community.

Just a mention of "Molly" - no last name necessary - brought smiles and tears as friends recalled her love of life and irrepressible spirit.

More than 750 mourners filled St. Gall Catholic Church on May 2 and were encouraged to "smile to remember Molly" as her legacy.

Carson Valley lost many military veterans in 2009 including David C. Trueblood, 78, on March 28; James K. Hickey, 91, April 6; John Williams, 53, Sept. 3; William F. Schwake, 92, on Nov. 4 and Ed Atencio, 85, on Dec. 30.

Two Alpine County residents, rancher Hubert Bruns, 95, and Hazel Payne, 91, died within a week of each other, Bruns on Feb. 18, and Payne on Feb. 25.

The ranching community also lost Dallas Byington, 76, on May 28.

Carson Valley was a retirement home for journalism professor Theodore Conover, 88, who died Sept. 14, and Dr. Frederick Wirth Jr., 68, who died Oct. 5.

Wirth was an in vitro fertilization pioneer and physician to America's first test tube baby in the 1980s.

Ed Atencio, known as "Mr. Ed" to his students in Douglas County and Coleville, died Dec. 30 at age 85. Atencio, a beloved coach and teacher, created the Douglas County Ski Club in 1958 when he began taking children to the ski slopes.

Our list is by no means complete. We invite our readers to submit additional tributes and pictures to: editor@recordcourier.com, or drop by our office, 1503 Highway 395, Suite G, Gardnerville. Please include your name and telephone number for verification.