SPANG, Ruth M.

Female 1924 - 2008  (84 years)


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  • Name SPANG, Ruth M. 
    Born 14 Apr 1924  South Dakota Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 15 Jul 2008  Sherwood, Washington County, Oregon Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I234  Bollendorf Spangs
    Last Modified 11 Oct 2013 

    Father SPANG, Mark Charles,   b. 04 Oct 1903, Iowa Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Feb 1978, Ventura, Ventura County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 74 years) 
    Relationship Natural 
    Mother WEICHERDING, Loretta Catherine,   b. 17 Apr 1906, Brown County, Minnesota Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Jun 1994, Ventura, Ventura County, California Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 88 years) 
    Relationship Natural 
    Married Abt 1924 
    Family ID F117  Group Sheet

    Family KLITZ, Norman,   d. 1998 
    Married 09 Mar 1946  New Jersey Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
     3. Living
     4. Living
     5. Living
    Family ID F121  Group Sheet

  • Notes 
    • Ruth ("Ruthie") Marie Klitz, 84, passed away peacefully in Clovis, California on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, surrounded by her family.
      Ruth was born April 14th, 1924 in the small farming town of Huron, South Dakota to Mark Charles Spang and Loretta (Weicherding) Spang as the eldest of four beautiful daughters. She grew up in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Together the four energetic and close-knit sisters shared many good years together in Ventura County before and during their married lives.
      Ruth and her husband, Norm, met in July 1944 at the Seabee Base in Port Hueneme, California where Ruth lived and worked. After a few months Norm left for his second tour of duty on Tinian Island in the Pacific. Upon Norm's return to the states, Ruth surprised him by greeting his ship in Bremerton, Washington. They proceeded to marry on March 9th, 1946 in Ridgewood, New Jersey. After a short stay in Cleveland, Ohio, they moved west to California with their first child while pulling a decrepit, two wheeled trailer behind a 1941 De Soto on old Route 66. Once in California, they enjoyed 50 years of marriage and made lifelong friendships in the communities of Ventura, Lompoc, Orcutt and Grover Beach.
      In addition to raising five children, Ruth was very active in many organizations. She was president of the Altar Society of Our Lady of Assumption Church in Ventura and Treasurer of the Village Country Club in Lompoc. Over the years she enjoyed a full palette of activities including golf, tennis, bridge, painting, traveling, sewing and antiquing. She was passionate about, and had a knack for, interior decorating, always welcoming guests into her beautiful, and eclectic homes for entertaining. Her life was filled with energy, creativity, good friends, fun and a tremendous compassion for others. We will miss her zest and excitement for taking on new projects and her ability to light up a room with her contagious smile.
      Ruth is survived by children Joann Crawford (Steve) of Clovis; Linda Steffen of Lilliwaup, Washington; Gary Klitz (Kathy) of Fresno; Steven Klitz (Cyndi) of Sherwood, Oregon and Lori Hollister (Steve) of Arroyo Grande. Her three sisters; Marjorie Hixon, Phyllis Books and JoAnn Held still reside in Ventura County. Her sister-in-law, Eloise Klitz, resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ruth was predeceased in 1998 by her husband of 50 years, Norman, and her parents Mark and Loretta Spang.
      A Rosary will be held on Friday, August 1st at 6:00 pm at Lady Family Mortuary, 555 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande. A Memorial Mass and celebration of Ruth's life will begin on Saturday, August 2nd at 10:00 am at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 800 Bello Street, Pismo Beach. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Franciscan Friars at St. Paul the Apostle Church or the Alzheimer's Association, 3480 South Higuera St, Ste 120, San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401. The family would like to thank the caregivers at Green Gables home in Clovis for the wonderful attention Ruth received for the past three years.
      Arrangements are under the direction of Lady Family Mortuary and Crematory of Arroyo Grande. Published in Santa Maria Times on July 26, 2008