Aldwina “Babe” Gotschall, 88, passed away on Sunday, February 22, following a sudden, severe stroke. Family members were by her side.
Born Aldwina Ramos in San Jose, California in 1920 to Frank and Mary Ramos, Babe was a graduate class of Manteca High School in 1939. She married Ken Gotschall and for several years the family ran Ken’s Meat Market. Together they raised five children; Catherine, Judy, Kenny, Johnny and Barbie until Ken Sr. passed away in 1973. Babe went on to work at Owen’s-Illinois in Tracy for more than 15 years.
She is survived by children Catherine Diane Rowe, Sixes, OR, and John D. Gotschall, Ripon. She was preceded in death by children Judy A. Goalby, Kenneth L. Gotschall Jr., and Barbie A. Gotschall.
She was also preceded in death by siblings: John Ramos, Mary Escobar, Louise Flores, Annie Hansen, Mary Ann Glass, Frankie Ramos, Rosalie Loureiro, Antone Raymus, and Matthew Ramos.
She is survived by grandchildren Rebecca Goalby Fisher, Sayona M. Gotschall, and Troy A. Gotschall; and great grandchildren Melina Ward, Shayla Ward, Brianna Ward, Miranda Gotschall, Grant Fischer, Colin Gotschall, and Logan Fischer.
Babe believed in helping others. Her generous community service extended into many areas, including: Manteca Garden Club, Young Ladies Institute, Manteca Historical Society and the Widow’s Club Support Group. Babe was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, spending years as a volunteer with its St. Vincent DePaul Society retiring from activity with this group only last fall. At St. Anthony’s, Babe also coordinated volunteers for the Blood Bank. She also spent 15 years as a volunteer in the Doctor’s Hospital Auxiliary; she enjoyed working in the hospital gift shop and also created the monthly calendar for volunteers.
As a dedicated member of the Sweet Swingers Golf Club, she performed the astonishing feat of hitting a hole-in-one when she was in her late 70s. And only last year in 2008, Babe’s lemon meringue pie took the first place Blue Ribbon at the San Joaquin County Fair.
She was an avid reader and card player who for more than 10 years participated in a weekly card playing club informally called, “The 70’s-80’s Club.”
“Aldwina Lane” in Manteca is named after her.
Babe is the last of 6 sisters and 4 brothers. She was the matriarch of the family including over 125 nieces and nephews of 4 generations. She has lived in her house on Raylow Avenue for over 50 years. Her bubbly personality, lighthearted humor and loving spirit will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her in this community.
An interactive memorial website can be accessed at www. Sympathytree.com/Babegotschall1920.
Memorial visitation is Monday, March 2, 2009 from 4 to p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca, where family and friends are welcomed to make verbal tributes.
A Memorial Mass is Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 505 E. North Street, Manteca.
The final resting place is Park View Cemetery, 3661 E. French Camp Road, Manteca.
Born Aldwina Ramos in San Jose, California in 1920 to Frank and Mary Ramos, Babe was a graduate class of Manteca High School in 1939. She married Ken Gotschall and for several years the family ran Ken’s Meat Market. Together they raised five children; Catherine, Judy, Kenny, Johnny and Barbie until Ken Sr. passed away in 1973. Babe went on to work at Owen’s-Illinois in Tracy for more than 15 years.
She is survived by children Catherine Diane Rowe, Sixes, OR, and John D. Gotschall, Ripon. She was preceded in death by children Judy A. Goalby, Kenneth L. Gotschall Jr., and Barbie A. Gotschall.
She was also preceded in death by siblings: John Ramos, Mary Escobar, Louise Flores, Annie Hansen, Mary Ann Glass, Frankie Ramos, Rosalie Loureiro, Antone Raymus, and Matthew Ramos.
She is survived by grandchildren Rebecca Goalby Fisher, Sayona M. Gotschall, and Troy A. Gotschall; and great grandchildren Melina Ward, Shayla Ward, Brianna Ward, Miranda Gotschall, Grant Fischer, Colin Gotschall, and Logan Fischer.
Babe believed in helping others. Her generous community service extended into many areas, including: Manteca Garden Club, Young Ladies Institute, Manteca Historical Society and the Widow’s Club Support Group. Babe was a devoted member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, spending years as a volunteer with its St. Vincent DePaul Society retiring from activity with this group only last fall. At St. Anthony’s, Babe also coordinated volunteers for the Blood Bank. She also spent 15 years as a volunteer in the Doctor’s Hospital Auxiliary; she enjoyed working in the hospital gift shop and also created the monthly calendar for volunteers.
As a dedicated member of the Sweet Swingers Golf Club, she performed the astonishing feat of hitting a hole-in-one when she was in her late 70s. And only last year in 2008, Babe’s lemon meringue pie took the first place Blue Ribbon at the San Joaquin County Fair.
She was an avid reader and card player who for more than 10 years participated in a weekly card playing club informally called, “The 70’s-80’s Club.”
“Aldwina Lane” in Manteca is named after her.
Babe is the last of 6 sisters and 4 brothers. She was the matriarch of the family including over 125 nieces and nephews of 4 generations. She has lived in her house on Raylow Avenue for over 50 years. Her bubbly personality, lighthearted humor and loving spirit will be dearly missed by her family and all who knew her in this community.
An interactive memorial website can be accessed at www. Sympathytree.com/Babegotschall1920.
Memorial visitation is Monday, March 2, 2009 from 4 to p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 6 p.m. at P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home, 290 N. Union Road, Manteca, where family and friends are welcomed to make verbal tributes.
A Memorial Mass is Tuesday, March 3, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 505 E. North Street, Manteca.
The final resting place is Park View Cemetery, 3661 E. French Camp Road, Manteca.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009
