Clara Joan “Ann” Lausten died at her home in Tres Pinos on December 27, 2007 at the age of 85. She was born March 19, 1922 in Hollister, California to Ralph and Belle Hain of the Bear Valley area.
Ann was fourth generation of the Hain family of San Benito County. Ancestors Arthur Hain, Ann’s grandfather and Schuyler Hain, Arthur’s brother, were instrumental in establishing the Pinnacles National Monument 100 years ago.
Ann attended Topo and Bear Valley elementary schools in Southern San Benito County. She graduated from San Benito High School in 1940 and that same year married her husband Kenneth Lausten in the home of her maternal grandmother, Cora Ricker, in Campbell, California. Upon Kenneth’s enlistment in the Army during WWII and his assignment in South Carolina, they resided there for one year. On his deployment to Alaska in 1941, Ann returned to San Benito County where she was employed by the Pinnacles National Monument as Clerk-Typist and Horseback Trail Guide from 1942 through 1945. Ann was the first female to wear a uniform which she made from material supplied by the Monument.
When her husband returned from military service, she became a homemaker for several years. She assisted her husband in milking 30 cows twice daily with their partners Mary and Joey Mattos. She also drove elementary school bus for Jefferson School in the 1950’s. She then took a part-time job as columnist for the Evening Free Lance in the early 1960’s. This turned into a full-time job as the Society Editor/Proof Reader for the Free Lance for 35 years.
She enjoyed jam and jelly making, baking, reading, and playing cards. She was also an avid horsewoman who participated in and supported the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Association. Ann received from the Association a Life Time Achievement Award for her efforts in keeping the rodeo tradition alive. Ann also was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars and the San Benito County Historical Society. Family reunions were a very important yearly event. She started the traditional gathering at the Bear Valley Hall in the early 1970’s.
She is survived by her daughters, Carol and Janie Lausten and Helen McKinney of Tres Pinos, Nancy Lausten and son-in-law James Sheldahl of the Pinnacles, son Ralph Lausten of Santa Ynez, grandchildren Hudson Tropf, Jessica Walker, Cora Beth Orozco, Carrie Lausten, Kenny and Tyler Lausten, great-grandchildren Skylar Lausten, Emilio Orozco, Frank Jr., Jacob and Josephine Leyna, and Torrie and Wylie Walker.
She was preceded in death by infant daughter Irene and her husband Kenneth of 60 years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on January 5, 2008 at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson. Graveside services will be private.
Contributions preferred to Hospice of the Central Coast, San Benito County Historical Society, Pet Friends or charity of choice, in care of the Funeral Home.
