Obituary of Aleta Noreen Pieper
Her Legacy…Aleta, who was 101 years young, and better known as “Nanny” by her family, passed away in Oroville, CA on July 17, 2017. She was born on June 23, 1916 in Los Angeles California to Walter Hamilton and Myrtle McColgan. Aleta was raised in the Moorpark and Oxnard areas. She graduated from Oxnard High School in 1935. Aleta traveled to the Oroville area after high school to visit with relatives, where she met Cecil “Cy” Owens. They wed in 1940 and later had a child named Cecelia Louis Owens. Cy and Aleta were married until his passing in 1969. Aleta later met and wed Fredrick J. Pieper in1972. Aleta and Fred both worked for Hooker Oak Distributors, they were married until Fred passed away in 2006. Aleta was a charter member of Alpha Zeta-Phi Epsilon Phi Sorority, and a member of the “Firebelles” (a group of women who supported the City of Oroville Volunteer Firemen, of which Cy was a member), a member of the Good Sam Camping Club and a member of the Oroville Boat and Ski Club. Ironically, she couldn’t swim and was scared of the water even after spending an abundance of time on Lake Oroville. Aleta also attended the Methodist Church on Acacia Ave. Aleta worked at Patton’s Variety Store for a time and then went to work as a bookkeeper for Bowman’s Beverages owned by Clyde Bowman of Chico, Lucky Larger Distributors owned by Clay Lindstrom, and finally Hooker Oak Distributor owned by Reno and Stella Ricci, of where she retired from. Aleta enjoyed playing cards including; Bridge, Poker, Canasta and many more. She was always known to take all the boy’s money at the Thanksgiving and Christmas poker games. Aleta and Fred spent many summers at Lake Almanor and were joined by the other family members and friends on the weekends. Aleta was a wonderful cook, no matter if she was at home or in the mountains no one ever went hungry.
Her Family… Aleta leaves behind her only child, daughter Cecelia Reinhardt (Vernon), her grandson Todd Reinhardt (Jennifer), great-grandchildren Sierra and Chase all of Oroville, her sister Elda Louise Kerr of Virginia City, NV, nephews Donald Kerr, John Kerr and niece Theresa Kerr. Aleta is also a distant relative of the late Amelia Earhart.
Her Farewell Service… Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday July 25, 2017 at Ramsey Funeral Home, 1175 Robinson Street in Oroville, followed by a graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers please make donations to the Northwest SPCA in Oroville, CA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.