I was born Irma Lorene Elsholz on May 5, 1925. I grew up on a small dairy farm at Simms Station which was owned by my parents Charlie and Alice Elsholz. I helped milk cows, feed chickens, gather eggs, played with my pets and especially had fun riding my horse Wally.

Wally was a retired race horse and many brought their horses over to race through the fields, no one ever beat us. I also had a donkey that even rodeo cowboys would try to ride to no avail but I rode him bareback all over.

I attended Atlanta Grammar School, then Ripon High School where I played clarinet in the band.

After graduation I worked for Franzia Winery bottling wines. When the crew was laid off I obtained a job at LH & RP where I drove a 3-wheel motorcycle delivering mail. I also volunteered to spot aircraft in the Collegeville Tower.

At age 16 I was involved with the Rainbow Girls and went on to hold the position of “Martha” in the Escalon Eastern Star as well as being a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

William Reynolds of French Camp and I were married when I was twenty and were together for 38 years. He would not allow me to work and when I became pregnant and he made me sell my beloved horse.

Children have always been my first love and I wanted

ten, but was only to have a daughter Kathy and two sons Billy and Johnny, because of medical restrictions.

When my husband left and I had very little and no job prospects, thankfully a dear friend, Larry McCurdy, helped me get a job with Indy Electronics where I worked until again-Lay Offs!

I attended Delta College where I carried a 4.0 and earned enough credits to work at Manteca Adult School, with Stanislaus State and Delta, monitoring classes.

I finally landed my dream job working at Hansel and Gretel Day Care in the baby room....it was never work for me! It was there that I met and adopted Carrey and Chuy Perez and eventually their three children, all of whom I took care of in day care. I still kept in touch and consider them my family. My daughter also counts them as her relatives and especially Junior, Mia and Benny who she counts as her niece and nephews.

I went horseback riding in Half Moon Bay on my 80th birthday, the Moaning Cavern walking tour, no I do not plan to zip line my 90th! We spent a week in San Francisco, at a four-star hotel which included 3 meals a day room service, a two bedroom suite and most importantly views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Ghiradelli Square. We were transported there in a Silver Cloud Rolls Royce previously owned by M.C. Hammer.

I am most proud of my children and grandchildren, all of them doing very well. Kathy had no children, just her animals, but enjoyed a 22 year marriage where she traveled extensively with my ex-son-in-law. Billy has five children Jennifer, twins Amber and Jacob, Sandy and Charlie. Johnny has three Ashley, Stuart and Caitlyn. I also have eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

I have lived at Westwood Village for over 20 years. It is an awesome place to live with very caring people. Alejo and Jim take very good care of me, responding to any need for maintenance. We have a wonderful manager, Vivian and her assistant Angela is terrific as well.

My daughter took early retirement so I could remain in my home. The patio is beautiful thanks to my son who keeps it full of bright plants that I can see from my chair. I am fortunate to have hummingbirds and blue jays, and at times crows visit.

I am a 30 year cancer survivor and have had many caring medical people make my recovery and cancer free health possible. My heroes are definitely the Fire and EMT’s who have quickly responded to 911 calls and got me to Kaiser on time. PS-The Redhead is still my favorite!

I am so fortunate to have Kaiser-fantastic doctors. Dr Ordona, Boltwood and Shahani and most recently Poonam Aurora, have kept me as comfortable as possible and immediately respond to any request to help me through new situations prescribing medications or changing existing ones.

Through the years I have been taken care of by staff from Stockton, Modesto and Manteca Kaiser facilities. I have always received outstanding care from every one including the security guards, receptionists, lab and X-ray personal-absolutly everyone, too many to mention. Manteca lab techs Kevin and Elizabeth have drawn most of my blood with very little discomfort.

I take a large amount of medications and could not manage if not for the incredible pharmacy staff. They are caring, patient and go above and beyond their regular duties to make sure any problems are resolved immediately although problems over the many years have been very few.

Well if you are reading this the Lord has taken me to Heaven where I will continue to watch over everyone. My wishes were to be cremated without ceremony and my ashes will eventually be taken to an ocean area near San Francisco or Dillon Beach.

Love, Irma, Mom, Grandma and Mamu

To my Friends, Family, etc.,

My charities were well taken care of. Now anyone who wants to do something in my memory, send your remembrances to Kathy Hendrix at 1212 W. Center St., Apt. 37, Manteca, CA 95337. She quit her job for me and although she had help, she made sure I had everything I wanted (on the grocery list) and if not for her I would have been placed in a convalescent home.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Saturday, October. 6, 2012