Marsha Lakmann, right, with candidate Delaine Eastin.
Marsha Lakmann 1948-2020
Marsha Joan Lakmann (Givens) age 71 of Anderson, CA passed away while at home unexpectedly on February 25, 2020.
Marsha Joan Givens was born in Corvallis, Oregon on September 3, 1948 to Everett Ellis Givens and Phyllis Lou Haworth. She grew up the middle child with her older brother Everett and her younger sisterJanice, spending most of her childhood in Arcata, Ca. When Marsha was a young woman her parents divorced and her mother remarried Frank Schmidt. She soon was blessed with yet another sibling, youngest brother Allan.
Marsha graduated from Arcata High School in 1966 with many academic
achievements including awards in History and Public speaking of which she was very proud. Marsha valued education and saw it as the door to a better life through which anyone could walk. In 1967 she met Roger Dubreuil and on April Fools day they were married in his hometown of Biddeford, Maine. That same year she became pregnant with her only child Roxanne and began what would be a lifelong career at Pacific Bell/ AT&T beginning as an operator and eventually retiring as an attendant in the Main Frame with 40 plus years on the job. Along with pride in her job she was a proud member of the Communication Workers of America union.
The family bought a home and moved to Happy Valley in 1975 where Marsha remained until her passing. The couple were divorced in 1981 but she found love again when she met and married Larry Lakmann and with Larry she not only found love but also a love for fishing and the outdoors. They remained together until his passing in 2000. After raising her daughter, she went on to have 3 beautiful Grandkids whom she adored and 5 beautiful Great-Grandchildren that brought her so much joy and who became some of the most important people in her life.
She was a dedicated member of the Redding Peggers, her Cribbage Club, and played golf for
the Showboat bar for many years. In her later years she loved to travel and was planning a trip this
summer with her favorite cousin Sharon to Colorado for their family reunion.
She was a supporter of democratic ideals, with her daughter by her side she served as the former vice president and current treasurer of the Shasta County Democratic Women’s Club as well as a member of the Democratic Central Committee of Shasta County. She took part in many local political events especially in those advocating for the rights of women. Before her passing, she was to march with the “Raging Grannies’ ‘ in this year’s Women’s March.
Marsha lived a full and amazing life and although she had her share of
rough times and painful losses, she always weathered the storm remaining strong and steadfast, a rock
for her family and friends. Her spirit was like wildfire, it quietly spread through everyone she touched.
“Quiet” was a word often used to describe her but when the situation required it she had a very strong
and often loud voice that was meaningful, valuable and full of wisdom.
Marsha was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Givens and Phyllis Schmidt, and her Step-Father
Frank Schmidt, as well as her Husband Larry Lakmann. She is survived by her only daughter Roxanne
Crane, of Happy Valley, her 3 Grandchildren Angela Steffensen of Yreka, Michael Sims of Anderson and
Gabriella Calvery of Happy Valley, 2 Great-Granddaughters Maddison and Olivia Marlton and 3 Great
Grandsons Tyler, Alex and Connor Sims. She is also survived by her brother Evertt Givens (Deborah) of
Eugene, Ore, her Sister Janice Crossland (Donald) of Coos Bay, Ore and her brother Allan Schmidt (Jan) of
Eureka, Ca as well as nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
