Julia Ruth Carriger, World War II veteran.

Julia Ruth Carriger was born in Zora, Missouri on December 23,
1919, and passed away at home on December 6, 2003. A 50-year
resident of Healdsburg, she was raised on a farm in Missouri during
the Great Depression. A veteran of World War II, she served as a
Sergeant in the 149th Company, Women’s Army Corps. These were the
first American women soldiers to serve in a combat zone. She was
stationed in North Africa and then in Italy, in the forward
command, where she was personal secretary for General Grunther
under Generals Eisenhower and Clark. Julia met her future husband,
John “Al” Carriger, while both were serving in Algiers. They were
married on the French Island of Corsica, October 1, 1944. Julia
spent many years working with her husband in their Ben Franklin
Store in Healdsburg. When her children went to college, Julia went
back to college. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma
State University where she received a BA in English and a teaching
certificate. Julia was the school librarian at Comstock Middle
School then joined the new Santa Rosa adult education program and
for many years especially enjoyed teaching adults. After retiring
she traveled with her husband and helped raise her grandchildren.
Julia is survived by her husband, John E. “Al” Carriger. She was
the beloved mother and mother-in-law of John and Diane Carriger,
Tom and Ann Wittenbrock and Richard and Judy Carriger, devoted
grandmother of Jeff, Christian, Kait and Joe Carriger. Private
family services were held December 7, 2003.