February 17th, 1916 - August 20th, 2018
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gritz family.
Mrs. Gritz was born in Eastern Colorado in 1916. The family moved their farm operation to Modesto, Ca., in 1919, where Ruth graduated from Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College. In 1937 she married Leoren E. Gritz and moved to Stockton, where Leoren worked for the telephone company as a cable-splicer. Two sons were born (Jerold D. in 1938 and William J. in 1941) and both attended local schools.
During WWII Ruth instructed the boys how to keep light from escaping the home, how to mix the white margarine to look like butter, how to clean and smash tin cans, and how to collect clothing and rubber for the home-front. After the war the family moved to the Oak Park area as many new homes were being built. Ruth took an active role in the boys' education through her volunteer work in the school.
Ruth was active in the P.T.A. while the boys were in school, and several school administrators suggested that she get a teaching credential; some 30 years after graduating from high school she attended U.O.P. and earned her credential. She was able to teach on a provisional credential while taking classes; her S.U.S.D. career spanned some twenty years.
After she began her teaching career, Ruth was able to contribute to the task of putting both boys through Stockton College and U.O.P., with Jerry becoming a high school history and English teacher and Bill (a science major) a San Joaquin County agricultural inspector.
From the post-war period and throughout the boys' school years Ruth and Leoren instilled the love of the outdoors by annual camping trips to the high Sierras. They taught the boys how to set up camp, cook over an open fire, and to fish, skills which they and their families still practice to this day.
After the boys left home and started their own families, Ruth and Leoren traveled, attended Grace Methodist church (Ruth serving as financial secretary for 17 years), working in their respective occupations, and interacting with their grandchildren.
Leoren died in 1974, and both boys were pursuing their careers and raising their own families. Ruth decided to take up golf, and she spent many happy hours and met many new friends. In 1989 she married a fellow golfer Adolphe Weicker, a widowed and retired dress designer. Together they played golf, traveled, attended both Grace and Central United Methodist churches (Al's church), and enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren for many years until Al died at age 94.
Ruth was preceded in death by her two husbands (Leoren and Al), her son Bill, her brother Al, sisters Mary and Helen, and her parents.
Ruth is survived by Debbie Gritz and her children: Jennifer (husband Mitch Carlson and great-grandchildren Madison and Blake) of Cottonwood, Ca.; David (wife Nichol and great-granddaughter Samantha) of Cottonwood, Ca.; and Emily (husband Tony McAuliff and great-granddaughter Mila) of Elk Grove.
Ruth is also survived by Jerry and Jo-Ann Gritz of Sonora and their children: Garrett (wife Nancy and great-grandson Chapton) of Alamo, Ca.; Melissa (husband Peter Ratkovich and great-gradnsons Nick and Nathaniel) of San Andreas, Ca.; and Galen of Sonora, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to the Central United Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Ave, Stockton Ca., 95204 in memory of Ruth E. Gritz-Weicker.
Services:
A memorial service will be held on Saturday September 22, 2018 at 11:00am at Central United Methodist Church located at 3700 Pacific Ave in Stockton, CA.
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