Grace Elizabeth Rohloff, 20, of Buckeye, AZ was called into the arms of Jesus on July 13, 2024, after a hiking accident descending Half Dome in Yosemite National Park with her dad. Grace is survived by her parents, Jonathan and Astraea, brother Jonathan III (Tre), sister Faith, and many family and friends who loved her.

Grace was born on March 7, 2004. In true Grace fashion, she arrived on her due date. From the day she was born, Grace was full of joy and loved being with her family and friends. Grace was baptized at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler, AZ on May 2, 2004. As a child, Grace was active in Girl Scouts, played basketball for AZ Knights and AZ Battle, tutored younger students struggling in math, and enjoyed attending Sun Devil athletic events with her family. Grace was always active in her church and was confirmed in the faith on May 6, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Litchfield Park, AZ.

Grace graduated from Valley Lutheran High School (Phoenix) on May 27, 2022. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was the Salutatorian of her class. She excelled in athletics and earned 13 varsity letters throughout her time at Valley in basketball, track, volleyball, golf, and cross country. Grace holds the girl javelin record at Valley and qualified for state in discus, shot put, javelin, and the 4x400. She loved playing basketball for the Flames and received regional and conference honors all four years of her high school career. She also loved playing club basketball for Give-N-Go Hoops and AZ Elite, and traveling throughout the country with some of her closest friends.

Grace was a Secondary Education Mathematics major at Arizona State University. She was on track to graduate in December and was ecstatic to finish her Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 years. Teaching and coaching were a true calling for Grace. She had planned to student teach at Valley Lutheran High School in the fall and was looking forward to working in a place where she could also profess her faith. She enjoyed working at Dutch Bros Coffee, as a respite care provider for a friend with special needs, and coaching the throwers at Valley Lutheran High School. Even with all of her responsibilities, Grace still found time for adventure. Throughout Grace’s life, she logged thousands of hiking miles. Some of her favorite spots were Angel’s Landing (Zion), the Grand Canyon, Bear Mountain (Sedona), Skyline (Buckeye), Piestewa Peak (Phoenix), and Camelback Mountain (Phoenix).

Grace had a strong faith and experienced more in her 20 years of life than many do in a long lifetime. May her legacy inspire those she loved to trust in the Lord and go do great things in His name.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Grace was a graduate of Trinity Lutheran School and member of the church for most of her life. She had an unwavering foundation in her faith and exuded the love of Jesus with all of those around her.

Grace died after slipping and falling down during a hike at California's Yosemite National Park, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Grace Rohloff, 20, was hiking with her father on July 13 and had successfully reached the summit of Yosemite's Half Dome, one of the park's most famous and challenging hikes. But while descending the Half Dome cables during a sudden thunderstorm and downpour, she slipped on a wet portion of the rock and fell down the side of the mountain, her father, Jonathan Rohloff, said in an interview.

The Mariposa County coroner's office confirmed that the fall resulted in Grace's death.

"She was in between the wooden blocks and slipped to the ground and you know it just happened very fast," Rohloff told KPNX. "There's no way 10 minutes before, when she was up there smiling ear to ear, that I thought I only had 10 minutes left with her. It was a tragedy."

Rohloff described how the pair had completed several hikes together throughout Arizona, and how his daughter was thrilled when she secured a permit to hike Yosemite's Half Dome.

"She told me it was something that was on her bucket list, that she always wanted to do, and she was so happy about it," Rohloff said, describing her daughter as "fearless."

According to Rohloff, Grace was pursuing an education degree at Arizona State University and planned to become a student-teacher at Valley Lutheran High School, where she had graduated.

Sahaj Singh Saggu, owner of Speer’s Market in Forestville, died while climbing Mount Whitney on May 12, 2024.

Known for its quality deli and personal service, Speer’s Market has been a staple in the community under Saggu’s management. The market was originally established by the Speer family, who owned and operated it for many years.

Saggu is remembered as a kind and thoughtful individual who had a positive impact on those who knew him and frequented the market. Community members have shared their condolences and memories on platforms like Nextdoor, highlighting the significant loss to the community.

Saggu was born on May 20, 1997, and he passed away just before his 27th birthday.

SAR RECOVERY- North Fork of Lone Pine Creek

On the morning of Sunday, May 12, 2024, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a hiker in the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek had been hit by a falling rock and was severely injured. Inyo County Search and Rescue (SAR) was activated to initiate a rescue. Helicopter H-42 from the California Highway Patrol Central Division Air Operations Group inserted a SAR team member via hoist near the scene of the accident, and it was determined that the injured party had perished from their wounds. The body of the deceased party was hoisted by Helicopter H-42 and flown to Lone Pine where it was turned over to the Inyo County Coroner. 

This was the third fatality in the Mt. Whitney region within a week. Early spring conditions prevail on the mountain, with treacherous steep snow, loose rock, and variable weather. Parties venturing onto Mt. Whitney should stay together, turn around before deteriorating conditions become unmanageable, make responsible decisions, and be prepared and fit.

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office and Inyo County Search and Rescue are grateful for the assistance afforded by the California Highway Patrol Central Division Air Operations Group in this mission.

Patricia Marie Bolan, "Patty"

March 25, 1995 - May 7, 2024.

Patty Bolan passed away unexpectedly on May 7th, 2024 while descending Mt. Whitney in California. Beloved daughter of Jerome and Sandra (nee Gepfert) Bolan and dear sister of Kathleen Bolan. Beloved niece of Tom Bolan, Patty (Tom) Platts, John (Mary) Bolan, Cathy (L J) Fallon, Christy (Tino) Pucci, Richard (Dorelle) Bolan, Mary Anne (Kevin) Tankersley, Brian (Gretchen) Bolan, and Valerie (Marc) Kanter. Predeceased by her grandparents Stephen J and Mary Ellen Bolan, John and Angeline Gepfert, and uncles Jim and Bob Bolan. Patty is also survived by twenty-nine cousins.

Patty was born in Port Washington, WI, the second of two daughters. She attended Port Catholic, K4-8, and Dominican High School, graduating in 2013. She then attended and graduated from Boston College, in 2017 with an Honors degree in Physics. After a gap year that included hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail and a fellowship at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard Smithsonian, Boston, MA, Patty entered the Doctoral program in Physics at the University of California at Davis in the fall of 2018. She completed her PhD requirements in December 2023 and was anticipating her hooding ceremony in June, 2024. Patty was starting her career as a data scientist.

Patty loved outdoor sports including hiking, mountain climbing, rock climbing, skiing, and snowboarding. She enjoyed traveling, visiting six continents in the last ten years. In addition to her adventurous outdoor interests, Patty was musically talented, and learned to play several instruments. She was a volunteer at Irish Fest since the age of eight, serving most recently as a stage manager. She shared joy and friendship with everyone she met.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The National Parks Foundation, www.nationalparks.org

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

On Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call regarding two overdue hikers on Mt. Whitney. It was reported that the hikers intended to descend to the “Notch” with the intention of skiing/snowboarding from the “Notch” back to Upper Boy Scout Lake where they had set up camp. The “Notch” is located on the right side of the face of Mt. Whitney from the Mount Whitney Mountaineer Route. The Reporting Party, who had been hiking with the two missing hikers, waited several hours for both hikers at their campsite and later contacted Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch. Inyo County Search & Rescue initiated a search utilizing a helicopter and foot teams to search the area.

Tragically, both hikers were later discovered deceased. Due to the location of the discovery being within Tulare County, the case is being handled by the Tulare County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.

Andrew Sean Niziol, born April 27, 1996, died suddenly doing what he loved on May 7, 2024 in Lake Tahoe, California. He was the beloved son of Christi (Brian) Stevens and Drew (Mallory) Niziol. Grandson to Margorie Oehmler, Mary Sherman and Andy Niziol. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, Jim Delahunt, and Tim Oehmler.

Andrew is survived by his dear brother Ethyn (Savannah Pencille) Niziol and his step brothers Brennan and Ethan Stevens. He is also survived by many proud aunts and uncles; Heather (Christian) DeFazio, Aaron (Charla) Niziol, Timothy (Stacey) Delahunt, Elizabeth (Sean) Baker, Kelley Devine, Jeff Doyle, and Kimmy Stevens. Also survived by his faithful companion, Kita, and many loving cousins, family members, and friends across the country.

Andrew was born at Sister’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. His family anxiously awaited his arrival as the first grandson and nephew. A native of Lockport, NY, Andrew attended Washington Hunt Elementary School, Emmet Belknap and Lockport High School.

Andrew was an avid golfer, snowboarder and adventurer. He would do anything for a good laugh shared with family and friends. That led to a career that was a perfect fit in the service industry. His career, hobbies, and interests took him out west to Lake Tahoe and Phoenix.

The family kindly requests that donations are made to the Inyo County Search and Rescue. This courageous and selfless group of volunteers were the ones to bring our beautiful boy home. https://inyosar.com/donate/

On Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call regarding two overdue hikers on Mt. Whitney. It was reported that the hikers intended to descend to the “Notch” with the intention of skiing/snowboarding from the “Notch” back to Upper Boy Scout Lake where they had set up camp. The “Notch” is located on the right side of the face of Mt. Whitney from the Mount Whitney Mountaineer Route. The Reporting Party, who had been hiking with the two missing hikers, waited several hours for both hikers at their campsite and later contacted Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch. Inyo County Search & Rescue initiated a search utilizing a helicopter and foot teams to search the area.

Tragically, both hikers were later discovered deceased. Due to the location of the discovery being within Tulare County, the case is being handled by the Tulare County Sheriff-Coroner's Office.