FAMILY LINE AND HISTORY
Velma Henrietta Marley
1st of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri
Born: Jul 7, 1918, San Francisco, California
Died: May 25, 1979 (age 60), Sacramento, Sacramento Co., California; heart attack
Avocation: Catholic Church volunteer
Buried: May 29, 1979, Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., San Francisco, California
Married: Mar 28, 1938, Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau, San Francisco, California
Four children: Stephen Louis Sevenau, Robert Kenneth Sevenau, Myrtle Ann Sevenau, Michael Gerard Sevenau
Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau
1st of 4 children of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg
Born: Dec 15, 1913, San Francisco, California
Died: Aug 20, 1996 (age 82), Windsor, Sonoma Co., California; stroke resulting in a coma & pneumonia
Buried: Aug 23, 1996, Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Occupation: Typesetter for SF newspaper, SF Municipal Railway conductor; 30 years on San Francisco Police Force (SFPD, Sergeant)
Avocation: Crossword puzzles and golf
Married (1): Mar 28, 1938, Velma Henrietta Marley, San Francisco, California
Four children: Stephen Louis Sevenau, Robert Kenneth Sevenau, Myrtle Ann Sevenau, Michael Gerard Sevenau
Married (2): Apr 19, 1980, Marian Alicia Imelda (Curran) Mitchell, Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
Four children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley:
1. Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau
Born: May 16, 1939, San Francisco, California
Died: Aug 3, 2014 (age 75), Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; prostate and lung cancer, cardiac arrest
Occupation: U.S. Postal Inspector, real estate agent, mental health counselor for prisoners
Entered St. Joseph’s Catholic Seminary at age 13 (1953-1959)
Military: U.S. Naval Reserves
Married: Aug 8, 1964, Irene McCartney, San Francisco, California
Divorced: mid-1980s
Three children
2. Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau
Born: May 9, 1946, San Francisco, California
Occupation: vendor at Kezar Stadium; owner of gas/service staton, natural foods distribution company, carpet/flooring stores
Military: U.S. Army Reserves
Married (1): Oct 7, 1967, Catherine Frances Clemens, San Francisco, California
Separated: mid-1972, Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
Divorced/Dissolution: finaled Nov 1973, Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
Two children
Married (2): May 9, 1980, (R.C.W.F.), Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
Divorced: 1995, Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
Married (3): Winter of 1996 or early 1977, (R.M.T.), Sea Ranch, Sonoma Co., California
Divorced: circa early 1999, Sonoma Co., California
Married (4): 2004, (R.L.), on a cruise to Tahiti
Divorced: 2009/10, Sonoma Co., California
Married (5): Jul 11, 2014, (M.F.), Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California
3. Myrtle Ann Sevenau
Born: Jun 11, 1950, San Francisco, California
Died: Jun 11, 1950, San Francisco, California; at birth, umbilical cord around neck
Buried: Jun 12, 1950, Holy Cross in Children’s Perpetual Care, section 3130, in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Re-interred: May 29, 1979 with mother, Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau, Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., San Francisco, California
4. Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau
Born: Oct 15, 1953, San Francisco, California
Died: Aug 31, 2014, (age 60), Alamo, Contra Costa Co., California; died in a fiery car crash, drunk driving
Occupation: Liquor store owner in San Francisco (Steve & Itchy’s); owner of carpet/rug cleaning company (The Carpet Man)
Author: How to Beat the Sharks When the Water’s Polluted
Married: (R.L.S.)
Two children
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Timeline and Records
Spellings and information in census and other records are retained
as in the original documents
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Dec 15, 1913: Birth of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau, husband of Velma Henrietta Marley and the 1st of 4 children of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg, in San Francisco, California
Dec 15, 1913: California Birth Index:
Name: Louis D Sevean (Sevenau)
Birth Date: 15 Dec 1913
Gender: Male
Mother’s Maiden Name: Kellogg
Birth County: San Francisco
abt 1915: Marriage of Stephen Bernard Marley (abt age 35) & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri (abt age 31), in San Francisco, California, parents of Velma Henrietta Marley
Jul 7, 1918: Birth of Velma Henrietta Marley, 1st of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri and future wife of Louis Dunand Sevenau, in San Francisco, California
Jul 7, 1918: California Birth Index:
Name: Velma Marley
Birth Date: 7 Jul 1918
Gender: Female
Mother’s Maiden Name: Alfiere
Birth County: San Francisco
Jan 13, 1920: U.S. Federal Census, San Franciso, California:
Name: Velma Marley
Age: 1
Birth Year: abt 1919
Birthplace: California
Home in 1920: San Francisco Assembly District 26, San Francisco, California
Street: Collingwood Street
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father’s Name: Stephen Marley
Father’s Birthplace: Wisconsin
Mother’s Name: Myrtle Marley
Mother’s Birthplace: California
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Stephen Marley: age 39, Head, married, born Wisconsin, father born Wisconsin, mother born Wisconsin, cribber on Public Street
Myrtle Marley: age 33, married, Wife, married, born California, father born Italy, mother born California
Velma Marley: age 6/12 mo, Daughter, single, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born California
Mar 28, 1924: Birth of Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley, 2nd of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri and the brother of Velma Henrietta Sevenau, in San Francisco, California
May 28, 1924: California Birth Record:
Name Robert S Marley
Birth Date 28 Mar 1924
Gender Male
Mother’s Maiden Name Alfiere
Birth County San Francisco
circa early 1927: Robert “Bob” Marley (abt age 3) and sister Velma Henrietta Marley (abt age 9), the children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri:
Apr 10, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, San Franciso, California:
Name: Stephen Marley
Birth Year: abt 1881
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age in 1930: 49
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Street Address: Bartlett Street
House Number: 245
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Home Value: 35.00
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Age at First Marriage: 35
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Wisconsin
Mother’s Birthplace: Wisconsin
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Laborer
Industry: Board Public Work
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Stephen Marley: age 49, Head, age 35 at 1st marriage, born Wisconsin, father born Wisconsin, mother born Wisconsin, laborer for board of public works
Myrtle Marley: age 45, Wife, age 31 at 1st marriage, born California, father born California, mother born Italy
Velma Marley: age 11, Daughter, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born California
Robert S Marley: age 6, Son, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born California
Note: living at 245 Bartlett Street
Apr 11, 1930: U.S. Federal Census, San Franciso, California:
Name: Velma Marley
Birth Year: abt 1919
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age in 1930: 11
Birthplace: California
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Home in 1930: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
Street Address: Bartlett Street
House Number: 245
Attended School: Yes
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father’s Birthplace: Wisconsin
Mother’s Birthplace: California
Able to Speak English: Yes
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Stephen Marley: age 49, Head, age 35 at 1st marriage, born Wisconsin, father born Wisconsin, mother born Wisconsin, laborer for board of public works
Myrtle Marley: age 45, Wife, age 31 at 1st marriage, born California, father born California, mother born Italy
Velma Marley: age 11, Daughter, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born California
Robert S Marley: age 6, Son, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born California
circa 1934: Robert & Myrtle Marley with children Velma (abt age 16) at right and son Bob (abt age 10), kneeling:
Mar 28, 1938: Marriage of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau (age 24) & Velma Henrietta Marley (age 19), in San Francisco, California. Velma is the 1st of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri; Lou is the 1st of 4 children of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg.
Dec 1938: Mission High School Yearbook, San Francisco, California:
Mrs. Owens Girls Glee Club, Room 424
Velma Marley (age 18/19) is front row, 2nd in from right
Note: If these dates are correct, Velma was in high school when she and Lou were married
Dec 1938: Mission High School Graduation, Velma Henrietta Marley (Lou and Velma both attended Mission High):
1939: California Voter Registration:
Name: Mrs Velma H Sevenau
Residence Date: 1939
Residence Place: 235 Bartlett San Francisco, California, USA
Party Affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Housewife
circa 1939: Velma (Marley) Sevenau:
May 16, 1939: Birth of Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau, 1st of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, in San Francisco, California
1939: Myrtle & Stephen Marley with their first grandchild, Steve Sevenau, son of Louis & Velma:
Myrtle Marley and grandson Steve Sevenau:
Apr 9, 1940: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco, California:
Name: Louis Sevenau
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: California
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Son-in-law
Home in 1940: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Map of Home in 1940: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Street: Bartlett Street
House Number: 235
Inferred Residence in 1935: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
Residence in 1935: San Francisco
Occupation: Conductor
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 0
Duration of Unemployment: 0
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in Government work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1500
Income Other Sources: No
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Stephen Marley: age 59, Head, born Wisconsin, public works foreman
Myrtle Marley: age 56, Wife, born California
Velma Sevenau, age 21 Daughter, born California
Louis Sevenau: age 26, Son-in-law, born California, railway conductor
Stephen Sevenau: age 11/12, Grandson, born California
Robert Marley: age 16, Son, born California
Note: Lou, Velma, and their 11-month-old son Stephen are living with Velma’s parents, Stephen & Myrtle Marley and Velma’s younger brother, Robert
1941: San Francisco City Directory (pg 1291):
Name: Louis D Sevenau
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1941
Street Address: 247 Carlos
Residence Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Occupation: Conductor Municipal Railway
Spouse: Velma Sevenau
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1941
1941: Robert Marley (age 16) Mission High School, San Francisco, brother of Velma (Marley) Sevenau:
Name Marley
Estimated Age 16
Birth Year abt 1925
Yearbook Date 1941
School Mission High School
School Location San Francisco, California, USA
Feb 6, 1943: Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley (age 18), brother of Velma, enlists in the U.S. Army:
Military Service Branch: US Army
Enlistment Date 6 Feb 1943
Discharge Date 1 Mar 1946
1943: Myrtle Marley, son Robert “Bob Marley, Stephen Marley, grandson Steve Sevenau abt age 5, in front:
1943: Stephen & Myrtle Marley and their son, Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley:
Jul 13, 1942: Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau joins the San Francisco Police Force:
Source: City and County of San Francisco Police Department, Headquarters, Public Records Request
1944: California Voter Registration:
Name: Mrs Velma H Sevenau
Residence Date: 1944
Street Address: 3360-23rd St
Residence Place San Francisco, California, USA
Party Affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Housewife
May 16, 1944: Steve Sevenau’s 5th birthday party; Steve is at far left of bottom row of children, saluting, his mother Velma is with tilted head in the dark dress standing behind him:
1944: California Voter Registration:
Name: Mrs Velma H Sevenau
Residence Date: 1944
Street Address: 3360-23rd St
Residence Place San Francisco, California
Party Affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Housewife
1944: Lou & Velma Sevenau with her parents, Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine (Alfieri) Marley; four-year-old Steve, son of Lou & Velma, is standing in front of his father at an outing at the Rhododendron Garden in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park:
May 9, 1946: Birth of Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau, 2nd of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, in San Francisco, California
(circa 1946, Steve abt age 8, mother Velma, Bob abt 6 months):
circa 1948: Sevenau family photo; Velma (abt age 29), Lou (abt 34), Bob (abt 2), and Steve (abt 8 or 9), taken at Camp Meeker. Velma’s maternal grandparents, Joseph Alfred Alfieri & Adelaide Jane “Ada/Addie” Beedle, owned a bakery in Camp Meeker located in the redwoods on the Bohemian Highway between Occidental and Monte Rio, 66 miles north of San Francisco. The family later turned the bakery into a house which became the summer home for the Alfieri and Marley families where they vacationed, the adults visiting on the large porch while the older kids hiked and played in the nearby swimming hole. Velma and the boys went up every summer from the time Bob was three months old until he was fourteen, Lou joining them on weekends.
1948: San Francisco City Directory (pg 1734):
Name: Louis D Sevenau
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1948
Street Address: 28 Lapidge
Residence Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Occupation: Police SFPD
Spouse: Velma Sevenau
Publication Title: San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1948
Note: Lou’s father Ernest is listed in the directory just above him
May 8, 1949: Marriage of Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley & Emma Vittoria Gaviglio, Velma’s younger brother and the 2nd of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri, San Francisco, California
May 8, 1949: California Marriage Index:
Name Robert S Marley
Gender Male
Estimated Birth Year abt 1924
Age 25
Marriage Date 8 May 1949
Marriage Place San Francisco, California, USA
Spouse Emma V Gaviglio
Spouse Age 23
circa 1949: Steve Sevenau with his aunt, Emma Vittoria Gaviglio) Marley; photo taken by a San Francisco street photographer, common at the time
Oct 16, 1949: WWI Draft Card:
Name: Louis Dunand Sevenau
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 26
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: 10 Dec 1913
Birth Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Residence Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940
Registration Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Employer: Municipal Railway
Height: 5 10
Weight: 145
Complexion: Light
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Hazel
Next of Kin: S Marley (his mother-in-law, Mrs. Stephen Marley)
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Louis Dunand Sevenau 27 Self (Head)
Note: Living at 28 Lapidge Street with his wife Velma and her parents, Stephen & Myrtle Marley
Apr 6, 1950: U.S. Federal Census, San Francisco California:
Name: Louis D. Sevenau
Age: 36
Birth Date: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Place: California
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Residence Date: 1950
Home in 1950: San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
Street Name: Lapidge St
House Number: 28
Dwelling Number: 165
Occupation: Policeman
Industry: Police Dept
Occupation Category: Working
Hours Worked: 44
Worker Class: Government (San Francisco policeman)
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship:
Louis D. Sevenau: age 36, Head, married, born California, Policeman for the Justice Department
Velma H Sevenau: age 31, Wife, married, born California
Stephen L Sevenau: age 10, Son, born California
Robert K Sevenau: age 3, Son, born California
Note: Lou and Velma are living next door to her parents, Stephen & Myrtle Marley who reside at 164 Lapidge Street. Velma is seven months pregnant with their third child.
Apr 1950: U.S. Federal Census, San Franciso, California:
Name Robert S Marley (brother of Velma (Marley) Sevenau)
Age 26
Birth Date abt 1924
Gender Male
Race White
Birth Place California
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Residence Date 1950
Home in 1950 San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
Street Name Douglas
House Number 179
Farm No
Acres No
Occupation Policeman
Occupation Category Working
Hours Worked 40
Worker Class Government
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Robert S Marley: Age 26, Head, Married, born California, Policeman
Emma V Marley: Age 24, Wife, Married, born California
Note: Both Louis D. Sevenau and brother-in-law Robert S. Marley are police officers for the San Francisco Police Department
Jun 1950: Birth of Myrtle Ann Sevenau, 3rd of 4 children of Louis Dunand Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, in San Francisco, California
Jun 1950: Death of Myrtle Ann Sevenau, in San Francisco, California; at birth, umbilical cord around her neck
Jun 12, 1950: Burial of Myrtle Ann Sevenau in Children’s Perpetual Care section sec 3130, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Note: the baby was re-interred May 29, 1979 and buried with her mother Velma (Marley) Sevenau in Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Michael’s sec, row 21, grave 35, in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
1951: Velma Sevenau with sons Steve and Bob in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco:
1951: Bob (with no front teeth) and Steve (probably kindergarten and 6th grade) St. Gabriel’s Catholic School, San Francisco:
Oct 15, 1953: Birth of Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau, 4th of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, in San Francisco, California; the three boys, Steve, Bob, and Mike, were born seven years apart.
Circa 1953: Velma, Steve and Lou in Scout uniforms, Bob in front. Lou appears to have been Steve’s Scout Master:
Circa 1953: Bob (abt age 5), Velma, unkn man, Steve in graduation or church robes (abt age 12 or 13), and Lou, in front of their church in San Francisco.
Circa 1953: Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau, 1st of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, enters St. Joseph’s Catholic Seminary (Jesuit) in Marin with the intent of becoming a priest. Six years later, he determined the priesthood was not his calling.
1954: Marley family picnic: father Stephen Marley, son Bob Marley, daughter Velma (Marley) Sevenau with son Mike Sevenau, Emma (Gaviglio) Marley, grandson Steve Sevenau, grandson Bob Sevenau:
1954: Sevenau family photo: Lou Sevenau, Sarah E. (Marley) Scriven (sister of Steve Marley), baby Mike, Velma, Bob Sevenau (age 8), and Velma’s father, Steve Marley
Oct 20, 1954: Death of Myrtle Josephine (Alfieri) Marley (age 70), mother of Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau, in San Francisco; pneumonia (asthma), heart attack, stroke
Oct 20, 1954: California Death Index:
Name: Myrtle Josephine Marley
[Myrtle Josephine Alfiere]
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 29 Mar 1884
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 20 Oct 1954
Death Place: San Francisco
Mother’s Maiden Name: Beedle
Father’s Surname: Alfiere
Oct 21, 1954: The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, California (Thursday, pg 23):
Oct 22, 1954: Burial of Myrtle Josephine (Alfieri) Marley, wife of Stephen Bernard Marley, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California; sec V, row 1, Area 119, Grave 5
1956: Lou and Velma Sevenau move from 28 Lapidge Street in the Mission Dolores District and purchase a two-story home at 2366 33rd Avenue above 19th Avenue in the Parkside District. They live there until Velma dies in 1979; Lou then sells 33rd and relocates to Santa Rosa in Sonoma Co., California. (the house was originally built in 1938; current photo of the property)
1956: Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau (age 10), 2nd of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley:
1959: San Francisco City Directory (pg 1334):
Name: Louis D Sevenau
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1959
Address: 2366 33rd Ave
Residence Place: San Francisco, California, USA
Occupation: City Policeman
Spouse: Velma H Sevenau
Publication Title San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1959
1959: U.S. City Directory, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., California
Name: Ernest Sevenau (father of Lou Sevenau)
Gender: Male
Residence Year: 1959
Street Address: 2b Balmy
Residence Place: San Francisco, California
Spouse: Margaret Sevenau
Publication Title San Francisco, California, City Directory, 1959
Note: Ernest Sevenau is Lou Sevenau’s father
Stephen L. Sevenau is Lou & Velma’s oldest son
Apr 18, 1961: Death of Stephen Bernard Marley (age 80), husband of Myrtle Josephine (Alfieri) Marley and the father of Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau and Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley, San Francisco, California; heart attack, stroke
Apr 18, 1961: California Death Index:
Name: Stephen B Marley
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 28 Jun 1880
Birth Place: Wisconsin
Death Date: 18 Apr 1961
Death Place: San Francisco
Mother’s Maiden Name: Breen
Apr 18, 1961: The San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, California (Thursday, pg 23):
Apr 20, 1961: Burial of Stephen Bernard Marley at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California
Apr 27, 1962: Louis Dunand Sevenau is promoted to Sergeant on the San Francisco Police Force
Dec 6, 1962: Sgt. Louis Sevenau at an accident on Haight Street (bending over, hands on knees):
Police Sgt. Louis Sevenau and Patrolman Richard Silva marking off the spot on Haight Street where a 7-year-old boy was hit by a bus.
Source: San Francisco History Center Public Library, San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection
circa 1963: Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau (abt age 9), 4th of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley; St. Gabriel school photo and St. Gabriel baseball team), San Francisco, California:
May 1964: The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California (pg 122):
Engagement notice of Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau & Irene McCartney
Jun 1964: Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau (age 18): 2nd of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley; Archbishop Riordon High School graduation, San Francisco
Aug 8, 1964: Marriage of Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau & Irene McCartney, San Francisco, California
Note: Irene is the step-sister of Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau (daughter of Carl Clemens)
Carl & Marie Clemens, Irene & Steve, Velma & Lou Sevenau, Aug 8, 1964, San Francisco
1965: At the age of 52, Lou joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where he was a member for 20 years
Until he quit drinking, Lou had a violent temper and for years unleashed it on Velma. It never occurred to me why she wore her green wool coat in the house when it was summertime. I remember her in that coat. I remember her sleek ceramic black panthers on each side of the living room sofa. I remember her in the kitchen in her housedress, listening to the Giants game on the tabletop radio, chain-smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes and doing a crossword puzzle. She ate cake for breakfast every morning. She rooted for the Giants. No self-respecting San Franciscan would root for any other baseball team: they hated the L.A. Dodgers. Lou was a crossword puzzle guy too. Later in life, he took up golf. ~ Catherine Sevenau, daughter-in-law
Apr 1966: Sevenau sons, Steve and Bob, dressed in their navy and army uniforms at the family home:
During the Vietnam War era between 1964 and 1973, the U.S. military drafted 2.2 million American men out of an eligible pool of 27 million. During the Vietnam War, about two-thirds of American troops volunteered, the rest were selected for military service through the draft. In the beginning of the war, names of all American men of draft-age were collected by the Selective Service System. Lou pulled strings to keep Bob out of serving in Viet Nam and got him the U.S. Army Reserves for a five-year stint.
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Viet Nam War: The human costs of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead:
- As many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters.
- The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in the war.
- In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., inscribed with the names of 57,939 members of U.S. armed forces who had died or were missing as a result of the war.
- Over the following years, additions to the list have brought the total past 58,200.
A mass exodus in 1975 of people loyal to the South Vietnamese cause was followed by another wave in 1978 of “boat people,” refugees fleeing the economic restructuring imposed by the communist regime. Meanwhile, the United States, its military demoralized and its civilian electorate deeply divided, began a process of coming to terms with defeat in what had been its longest and most controversial war. Finally in 1995, the two countries resumed formal diplomatic relations.
Source: https://vietnamembassy-pyongyang.org/how-many-vietnamese-died-in-the-vietnam-war/
==========
Bob’s Basic Training was at Fort Ord, Monterey Co., California. He joined the reserves in 1966, Co. B 2nd Bn 362 Regt 2d Bde (BCT) and was discharged as a PV2 USAR on Nov 28, 1971. His job in the reserves was as a clerk/typist.
Oct 7, 1967: Marriage of Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau & Catherine Frances “Cathy” Clemens, Holy Name Church, San Francisco, California
Note: Cathy is the step-sister of Irene (McCartney) Sevenau, the daughter of Marie (Macdonald) McCartney Clemens
Marie & Carl Clemens, Cathy & Bob, Velma & Lou Sevenau
Jul 1968: Velma Sevenau, Cathy & Bob Sevenau, and Mike Sevenau (on ground), Yosemite, California:
Feb 1, 1970: Louis Dunand Sevenau retires from the SFPD (Sergeant, Company K, star/badge #786) after 28 years of service
Source: City and County of San Francisco Police Department, Headquarters, Public Records Request
Mar 20, 1970: Death of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau (age 78), father of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau, in San Francisco, California
Jun 1971: Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau (age 17): Archbishop Riordon High School graduation, San Francisco; 4th of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley
May 31, 1975: Death of Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley (age 51), 2nd of 2 children of Stephen Bernard Marley & Myrtle Josephine Alfieri and brother of Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau, in San Francisco, California; alcohol-related, complications from a seizure
May 31, 1975: California Death Index
Name: Robert S Marley
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 28 Mar 1924
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 31 May 1975
Death Place: San Francisco
Jun 3, 1975: Burial of Robert Stephen “Bob” Marley, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, San Mateo Co., California; section G2, row 7, grave 12
Mid 1970s: Velma and her son Mike in his liquor store in San Francisco:
May 25, 1979: Death of Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau (age 60); while undergoing surgery after suffering a heart attack during dinner with friends at a restaurant in Sacramento, California. Lou and Velma’s home was on 33rd Avenue in San Francisco.
May 25, 1979: California Death Index:
Name: Velma H Sevenau
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 7 Jul 1918
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 25 May 1979
Death Place: Sacramento
1979: Burial Card for Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau:
May 29, 1979: Burial of Velma Henrietta (Marley) Sevenau, wife of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau, in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, St. Michael’s sec, row 21, grave 35, in Colma, San Mateo Co., California. Her 3rd child, Myrtle Ann Sevenau who died at birth on Jun 11, 1950, was reinterred with her.
Apr 19, 1980: Marriage of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Marian Alicia Imelda (Curran) Mitchell, the 2nd marriage for both, in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California. Marion and her 1st husband Tom Mitchell were friends with Lou and Velma in Camp Meeker on the Russian River. In the 1950s and ’60s, Marion worked as a secretary to the Superintendent of Parks at the McLaren Lodge in Golden Gate Park
(photo taken Sep 18, 1986, Santa Rosa)
Apr 19, 1980: California Marriage Index:
Name: Louis D Sevenan (sic)
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1914
Age: 66
Marriage Date: 19 Apr 1980
Marriage Place: Sonoma, California
Spouse Name: Marian A Curran
Spouse Age: 65
May 3, 1994: Death of Marian Alicia Imelda (Curran) Mitchell Sevenau (age 82), 2nd wife of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau, in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., California; heart attack
May 1994: Burial of Marian Alicia Imelda (Curran) Mitchell Sevenau, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery (Sec L2, Row 17, Grave 31), in Colma, San Mateo Co., California. Marian is buried with her 1st husband, Thomas Joseph Mitchell.
1996: U.S. City Directory, Sonoma Co., California:
Name: Louis D Sevenau
Birth Date: 10 Dec 1913
Address: 907 Adele Dr, Windsor, CA
Second Residence Date: 1996
Second Address: 907 Adele Dr, Windsor, CA
Third Residence Date: 1994
Third Address: 485 Jane Dr, Windsor, CA
Fourth Residence Date: 1994
Fourth Address: 485 Jane Dr, Windsor, CA
Last group photo of Lou Sevenau and his three sons, Bob, Mike, and Steve:
Sevenau brothers w/dad Lou Sevenau: Bob and Mike standing, Lou and Steve seated
Aug 20, 1996: Death of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau (age 82), 1st of 4 children of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg, in Windsor, Sonoma Co., California; of a stroke resulting in a coma and pneumonia
Aug 20, 1996: California Death Index:
Name: Louis Dunand Sevenau
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 13 Dec 1913
Birth Place: California
Death Date: 20 Aug 1996
Death Place: Sonoma
Mother’s Maiden Name: Blackman (note: Clement/Kellogg)
Aug 20, 1996: Social Security Claims Index:
Name: Louis Dunand Sevenau
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birth Date: 10 Dec 1913
Birth Place: San Francisco, California
Death Date: 20 Aug 1996
Father: Ernest J Sevenau
Mother: Edna M Kellogg
Notes: Nov 1936: Name listed as LOUIS DUNAND SEVENAU; 18 Sep 1996: Name listed as LOUIS D SEVENAU
Aug 22, 1996: The San Francisco Examiner (pg 15):
Aug 23, 1996: Burial of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau (age 82), 1st of 4 children of Ernest Edward Jules Sevenau & Edna Marguarite Clement/Kellogg, at Holy Cross Cemetery (St. Michael’s sec, row 21, grave 35), along with his wife Velma and infant daughter, in Colma, San Mateo Co., California.
Lou’s funeral was small, six family members including his three sons, a few police officers standing at the back, and retired Police Chief Thomas Cahill whom Lou had served under for 30 years. After the funeral service at the San Francisco chapel, an honor guard of five mounted police on horseback and a large escort of uniformed motorcycle police slowly escorted the procession of two black limousines through the streets of San Francisco, reflecting honor and respect for Lou’s service and dedication to the force.
1996: Robert Kenneth “Bob” Sevenau, 2nd of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley:
1997: Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau, the youngest son of Louis & Velma Sevenau, writes and publishes a book on business sales: How to Beat the Sharks When the Water’s Polluted: Or How to Succeed in Sales When Your Product Stinks
“Filled with everyday sales tips that provides the right to push to invigorate anyone working in sales, but especially those whose job is to sell something that isn’t exactly perfect. Drawing from 25 years of in-the-trenches sales, Sevenau shares his vast knowledge with such tips as how to turn the competition’s strengths into weaknesses, how to use your own insecurity, and why sales reps should never take a lunch.”
Oct 11, 2011: Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau
Aug 3, 2014: Death of Stephen Louis “Steve” Sevenau (age 75), 1st of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley, in Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada; prostate and lung cancer; cardiac arrest in the hospital
Aug 31, 2014: Death of Michael Gerard “Mike” Sevenau (age 60), 4th of 4 children of Louis Dunand “Lou” Sevenau & Velma Henrietta Marley; perished in a fiery car crash as the result of a drunk driving accident four weeks after the death of his brother Steve. Mike had quit drinking, until that night.
Sep 4, 2014: Bay City News, Alamo, Contra Costa Co., California:
ALAMO — A man who died after he was trapped in a burning vehicle last weekend has been identified as an Alamo man.
The California Highway Patrol said 60-year-old Michael Sevenau died after the silver 2000 Jaguar he was driving went off the road, hit a tree and caught fire. The wreck happened just after 12:30 a.m. Sunday. An investigation showed the Jaguar was traveling east on Stone Valley Road and wound up in the west side of the road before colliding first with some mailboxes. The Jaguar then spun around, broke through a wooden fence and went down a dirt embankment before hitting the tree.
Police are still investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash. Investigators have not yet determined if Sevenau suffered a medical issue while he was behind the wheel. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sep 4, 2014: Danville-San Ramon News, Contra Costa Co., California:
Authorities have identified the 60-year-old man who died in a fiery car crash in Alamo over the weekend.
Michael Sevenau of Alamo was killed in the one-car wreck reported around 12:30 a.m. Sunday on Stone Valley Road near Hidden Valley Road, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office and the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP responded to reports of a silver 2000 Jaguar that went off the road, hit several mailboxes, plowed through a wooden fence and into a tree and caught fire. The fire engulfed the car with Sevenau trapped inside, according to the CHP. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The CHP continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and has not yet determined whether alcohol or drug intoxication was a factor. Confirmation of Sevenau’s cause of death is pending the results of toxicology tests, which could take another six to eight weeks to receive, according to the coroner’s office.
Jan 22, 2015: SFGATE, San Franciso, California:
The victim, 60-year-old Michael Sevenau of Alamo, had crashed while intoxicated and died of extensive burns, according to the Contra Costa County coroner’s office.
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2023. Researched and compiled by Catherine (Clemens) Sevenau, with the contributions of cousins, kin, and fellow researchers, especially to Robert Stephen Marley, Jr. who provided many of the Marley photos. and Steve Sevenau, the son of Lou & Velma Sevenau, who sent me an envelope of Sevenau snapshots.