Nettie ... a friend, a grandmother, a mom, a wife.  And, not just any wife, but a farmer’s wife.  She loved the farming lifestyle and worked tirelessly alongside her husband of 59 years, Alvin.  She loved the ranch…loved walking amongst the almond trees through the seasons… from spring bloom to the fall harvest to the dormancy of winter…she loved it all.
   Nettie was born and raised in Ripon and moved to her home on Tully Road when she married Alvin.  Alvin wished for Nettie to be able to live her life out at home, and that she did.  Nettie died peacefully at home where she lived for almost 70 years.
   Nettie was a woman of great faith…her faith never faltered.  As an active member of the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church parish family, she volunteered enthusiastically.  She and her husband were one of the first members of the parish contributing time and energy to its growth.
   Nettie touched the lives of many of the farming community through her leadership in 4-H. She shared her love of sewing to virtually every girl involved in 4-H in the area by teaching them how to sew and inspiring them to become future leaders of the community. She loved playing cards, playing board games, knitting and sewing, dancing, traveling, reading, but her first love was always her family. Nettie devoted her life to her family.  She poured her life and love into the lives of her husband, children, and grandchildren..  encouraging them, helping them, loving them with all her being.
   Nettie is preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; daughters, Susan and Anita; father and mother, Urbano and Matea Ruiz; and brother, Ignacio Ruiz.
   Nettie is survived by her son, Fred; daughter, Kathy (Luchessa) Spanel and her husband, Brian; her two precious grandchildren, Greg and Gretchen Spanel; her sister, Clara Azevedo; and her brother-in-law, William Luchessa and his wife, Lillian.
   Friends may send remembrances to Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Building Fund, 505 W. Granger Ave., Modesto, 95350; Holy Family Catholic Church Building Fund, 4212 Dale Rd., Modesto, 95356; or your favorite charity.
Visitation at Franklin & Downs-McHenry Chapel, Palm at McHenry, on Monday, October 30th,
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral services at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church on Tuesday, October 31st, 10:00 a.m.  Entombment following funeral services at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery. Reception following services at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Hall.
   To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.

Ripon
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, October 28, 2017