Jolynn Jean Lauer 1946-2025

Jolynn Jean (Bidwell) Lauer was born in Iowa City, Iowa to Jean and Bill Bidwell, now deceased. She grew up in Burlington, IA, graduated from Burlington High School in 1964 and Burlington Junior College in 1967. She joined VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in 1967 and served for a year in Chicago, IL and Tulsa, OK. In 1967 she married Fred M. Lauer, Jr. They lived in Columbus, OH, then moved to Berkeley, CA in the late ‘60ies.

After their divorce, jo remained in Berkeley and began unfolding her career path in psychology. She moved to Napa and became a licensed Psychiatric Technician.  In 1976 she married Lincoln Beals. Their daughter Sara was born, and Jo opened The Scent Shoppe in Napa. Following her divorce from Lincoln, Jo returned to school and got her BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling at Sonoma State University. 

She moved to Santa Rosa with their daughter and did her internship at Chrysalis Counseling Services where she then became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. In 1990, Jo began her private practice. She retired in 2021.

She was active in the Lesbian Voter’s Caucus, was a founding member of Lavender Roses Readers Theater, a member of LezResist, and Senior Lesbians in Community. She was a member of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, and a member of the One Heart Choir there for 20 years. She was also a member of the Redwood Empire Chapter of the California Writers Association, and the Redwood Empire California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

She considered herself a therapeutic phenomenologist, welcoming anyone who walked into her therapy office, and a gustatory enthusiast – her favorite pastime was having a great meal with good friends.

She was also the author of seven novels and a collection of short stories. One of her stories, “Roots in My Garden” was adapted to film in 2021 and screened at both the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival and the San Francisco Independent Film Festival in 2024. She was a member of BAI-Take 2, a Facebook group of independent film makers and screenwriters.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Bill Bidwell (CO).

She is survived by her loving family, daughter Sara Frampton, her “grandtwins” Lincoln and Everett Frampton, her sister Sue Spight (CT), many nieces, and a nephew.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jo’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Here at the Center our hearts are tender as we surround Jo Lauer and her beloved family in love and blessing.

For 33 years, Jo graced our Center with her radiant spirit. Her voice rang out through our choirs, lifting spirits and opening hearts. Her Lavender Rose performances brought laughter, insight, and warmth.
Through her writing and film work,she pointed us toward deeper truth and our shared humanity.

Now we release her with love,honoring the beauty she brought to this world.

Fly free, dear Jo—carried by the prayers of your Center family, and held always in the heart of Spirit. 

Please join the family and friends of Jo Lauer as we come together to celebrate her bright and beautiful spirit. The service will be held in our sanctuary. 

Celebration of Life-Jo Lauer

Saturday, September 6, at 11 AM

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

 All are welcome. 

Debra Leehouts 1962-2025

Celebration of Life-Debra Leenhouts

Saturday, August 9, at 10 am

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

 

You are warmly invited to join Keith Hanna with  the extended family  and friends of Debra Leenhouts as we come together to celebrate Debra , a bright and beautiful soul. The service will take place in the social hall at the Center.

 

It was easy to spot Debra with her bouncy blond curls and radiant smile. Her joy filled the space wherever she was at the Center, whether sitting at our weekday reception, or riding her wheelchair into the sanctuary on Sunday, closely followed by her beloved husband, Keith Hanna. 

 

 

"I miss her bubbly presence, and look forward to remembering her with you on Saturday." 

                                                                                                                      Rev. Joyce Duffala  

 

Debra Leenhouts was born on May 24th 1961 in Grand Rapids Michigan. Debra passed on July 6th 2025 from complications of MS. She is survived by her loving husband Keith, loving brother Dave, sister Sandy, amazing nieces and nephews, wonderful cousins, and loving family and friends.

She moved around Michigan many times in her youth as her dad, Al's job working for Standard Oil took him to parts far and wide.

Debra graduated from Hope College with a degree in Social Work which she did for several years. She then moved to San Francisco with her first husband and worked for Computer Learning Center.

Debra then got into the insurance business where she met some of her most dear and longest friends Bev and Wayne, and Alicia.

Debra met the love of her life, Keith Hanna, during a singles event put on by the Center for Spiritual living. They were married on October 4th 2003. Keith  remembers this as “the Happiest day of his life, except every day after that.”

Debra greatly valued her family, friends, the environment, and a world that works for all beings, and was herself a loving, wonderful and kind person.

 

Here at the Center we remember Debra for her beautiful bright smile and vivacious spirit. She brought light and love to every room and to every heart. Our hearts are tender as we say goodbye.  

 

 

Teri Arvilla Ewell May 25, 1955-January 14, 2025

Teresa Arvilla Ewell, lovingly known as Teri, passed away on January 14, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with colon cancer. In her final days, she was surrounded by her beloved family and best friends, a testament to the love and connections she nurtured throughout her life.

Teri’s vibrant spirit and innate curiosity defined her from an early age. Born in Richmond, California, on May 25, 1955, she was raised in East San Rafael. She attended 3R Elementary School and Junior High before graduating from San Rafael High School in 1973 and then the University of California, Berkeley in 1977.

Teri’s journey of service and discovery began in 1978 when she joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Ecuador, where she worked to improve the health and well-being of local communities. It was there that she met and married Dr. Cesar Costales in 1982. Together, in 1984, they moved to Madrid, Spain, where Teri embraced life abroad. In 1991, she returned to the United States with her three children, Cesar, Adrian, and Monica; moved to Novato in 1993; and began a new chapter of her life, earning her Master’s degree in Nutrition in 1994.

A deeply compassionate individual, Teri devoted her professional life to empowering families and supporting their health. She worked for the Solano County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, rising to the role of Senior Manager. She was a gifted bi-lingual nutritionist, lactation consultant, and energy healer whose work embodied her commitment to nurturing and educating others.

Teri’s passions were as diverse as her talents. A skilled musician, she spent 45 years in the Prince Charles and MacIntosh Pipe Bands, playing and teaching others to play the bagpipes, snare drum, tenor drum, and bass drum. Her creativity extended into her home, where she designed a stunning backyard sanctuary filled with raised garden beds, fruit trees, flowers, and sculptures inspired by her travels around the world.

She walked the Camino de Santiago’s Portuguese and French routes and explored countless other destinations on six continents. Each adventure enriched her life and reflected her boundless curiosity.

Teri was a dedicated member of the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, where she spent over 25 years cultivating a life of meaning and connection. She is survived by her siblings Nyla, Dana, and Diane; her children Cesar, Adrian, and Monica; her stepdaughter Erin; her grandchildren Cesar, Christian, Lucy, and Tessa; her godson Bodie, Carlos, and Angel Alberto; and countless friends who were drawn to her warmth, generosity, and magnetic spirit. She will be remembered for her wisdom, irreverent humor, and the profound joy she found in supporting others.

Teri’s friends and family recall her as a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, as well as a healer, teacher, and fierce advocate for women and children. Her unwavering loyalty, love of beauty, and zest for life made her an inspiration uplifting all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late May 2025 (details to be announced). In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to organizations supporting women, children, and global peace initiatives such as the Peace Corps, the National WIC Association, and Crossing Party Lines—causes about which Teri cared deeply.

Teri leaves a legacy of love, resilience, and joy for all who knew her. She will live on in their hearts and will be deeply missed but forever cherished.

 

Catherine Kielsmeier March 22, 2025

Catherine Kielsmeier, beloved wife, and mother passed on Saturday March 22, 2025 at her home in Forestville. She was 95. At the end she was surrounded by expansive views of the countryside and nature. She was visited multiple times by her beloved family members before she passed.

She was known for her kindness, generosity, caring nature and her love of animals. She is survived by her husband Paul Toussaint, her daughter, her sister Pixie, and Barry Kielsmeier, her son along with 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Catherine was born at the height of the Great Depression in 1929. She Valued education and eventually received her BA, Master’s and PhD in education, from the University of Southern California.

She married her husband Milton Kielsmeier in 1951 while they were both students in college and they went on to have a 60 year marriage.

This was later followed by a 15 year relationship with her beloved 2^nd husband, Paul Toussaint. Paul nursed and loved her until she passed away.

Catherine had a long career as a researcher and administrator. Her final job was as Director of Special Education for Santa Rosa City Schools in 1979.

She had an active life in retirement and visited India and other Asian countries. Inspired by Tibetan culture she wrote two books: Tibetan Sadhana Vocabulary and Tibetan Language Pre-Primer. Both works are still in publication. Eventually, her academic and work achievements caused her to be listed in Who’s Who In the World.

At the age of 89 she licensed as a Professional Prayer Practitioner for the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa. She  served in their Grief and Loss Support and Telephone Prayer Ministries until she retired. 

Here at the Center we remember Cathy for her kindness and generosity and love of our teachings. Her bright smile lifted our hearts and we were fortunate to have her as a Practitioner in our community. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Doctors Without Borders

                                                                        P.O Box  5022

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