Jeanne and Steve Greendale

Jeanne Greendale, age 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2024 surrounded by her loving family at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, CA. She was the beloved wife of Steve Greendale for over 51 years. Together they shared life, adventure, and companionship. She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Flowers of Brookings, OR, Francis Flowers III, Durham, CA, her daughter, Carla Jones (Blake Johnson) of Sacramento, CA, her stepdaughter, Brenda Killian (Eric), of Las Vegas, NV, and her stepson, Gary Greendale (Joanne) of Cross Roads, TX, along with three grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, and siblings Connie Viramontes Coon, Louie Carrillo, Shirley Carrillo Olmos, Mario Carrillo, and Eleanor “Peach” Carrillo Presley. Jeanne was preceded in death by her sisters, Esperanza Carrillo Sanchez and Raquel “Rachel” Carrillo, and her daughter in law, Debbie Flowers.

She was born on February 6, 1946 in Klamath Falls, OR. As the oldest of eight siblings, Jeanne knew and appreciated hard work from a very young age. Throughout her working career, she held positions at various restaurants in Mt Shasta, Redding, and Red Bluff, CA. She had a giving spirit and enjoyed her work with the Yreka Senior Program and the Siskiyou County Food Bank. Later, Jeanne earned her certification and became a foster parent. She soon found her niche caring for special needs children and teens. At last count, over seventy-five children were afforded respite or full time care in her Cottonwood, CA home.

Jeanne enjoyed attending car shows with her beautifully restored ’57 Chevy. She also loved gardening, reading and traveling. Her adventures took her to Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and all over the Pacific Northwest. Jeanne and her husband even trekked to South Africa where they took part in a safari. She enjoyed beautiful jewelry and a good glass of wine. Jeanne was very bright and was quick to share what was on her mind. She was a champion for the underdog and was a fierce Momma Bear for her children when they were young. She will certainly be missed by all those that knew and loved her.

R. Steven Greendale (02/01/1943 - 03/29/2024)

Ralph Steven “Steve” Greendale, age 81, passed away on Good Friday, March 29, 2024 at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, CA just 13 days after his beloved wife of 51 years, Jeanne Greendale. He was born on February 1, 1943 in Albany, CA to his parents Keith Greendale and Dorathy (Card) Greendale-Haskell. Steve is survived by his children Brenda (Eric) Killian, Las Vegas, NV, Gary (Joanne) Greendale, Cross Roads, TX, and Carla Jones (Blake Johnson), Sacramento, CA, stepsons Bruce Flowers, Brookings, OR, and Francis Flowers III, Durham, CA, along with six grandsons, four granddaughters, and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, James (Tina) Greendale, Napa, CA and a special niece, Lynelle Greendale, Suis City, CA. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his daughter in law, Debbie Flowers, and his grandson, Nicolas Goodman.

Following his graduation from Los Molinos High School, Steve served in the US Navy aboard the USS Harwood where he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his ship’s participation in the historic Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, Steve began his career with Pacific Bell Telephone Company where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

Steve, along with his wife Jeanne, opened their home as foster parents to care for special needs children and teens. At the time of his death, he was the conservator for his much loved foster daughters, April Smith and Keely Stewart.

He was an intelligent man with a variety of interesting hobbies and pastimes. Steve was elected and served as the Grand Conductor during his involvement in the charitable organization Independent Order of Odd Fellows. After completing the RCIA program, he joined the Catholic Church and enjoyed sharing his faith as he taught catechism to school aged children.

Steve was an avid outdoorsman and a proud member of the NRA. He loved fishing and hunting throughout the West and was able to fulfill the goal of hunting on safari in South Africa, bringing home beautiful mounts. He belonged to the Shasta Racing Pigeon Club and raised hundreds of birds while achieving remarkable racing success. Steve enjoyed black powder shoots and created truly authentic teepees and wardrobes to participate in Rendezvous events all over the Northwest where he was the leader of the notorious “Greendale Rangers”.

Steve was a lifelong learner and an exceptional history buff. He also enjoyed traveling and had an adventurous spirit, trying zip lining and snorkeling well into his seventies. Despite the physical pain Steve endured as his health declined, he remained courageous and strong for the love of his life, Jeanne – “My Sweetheart”- until her passing. He was so loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed by many.