Obituaries 12-10-15

Elizabeth Virginia Mittelstadt
Elizabeth Virginia “Betz” Mittelstadt died in Cloverdale on Nov. 20, 2015. She was born to Mayo and Johnie Mae Pickard on May 18, 1927 in Montgomery Alabama. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Rosemary Destruel.
Betz spent her life in Cloverdale with her husband Leonard Mittelstadt raising a family of five children: Cherie Mitchell, John Reese (Lisa), Kenny Reese (Cyndi), Mike Peters (Mary) and Lynmarie Hoyer (Bill). Her greatest passion in life was being a grandma. She loved caring and spoiling all nine grandchildren in one form or another, along with seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Betz’ interests included gardening, dancing, and playing or listening to music. She was a voracious reader and a whiz at crosswords and Jeopardy. She was also an accomplished bowler, where she made lifelong friends and met her husband Leonard of 54 years. She shared many fond memories of the times she spent with her girlfriends and the fun they shared on their excursions.
The family stated: “We are certain ‘the girls’ are once again reunited, ‘busting it up’ at The Hunting Camp in the sky.” At her request there will be a party in her honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to North County Hospice would be appreciated.
Ruby Marjorie Wasson
Ruby died Thanksgiving Day of congestive heart failure. She was 95 years old. She had spent the day surrounded by her family in her home of 75 years. Ruby was born June 8, 1920, the third of three children to William J. and Reta Frellson Osborn. She went to schools in Alexander Valley and Healdsburg, graduating from Healdsburg High in 1938. After one year at U.C. Berkeley, she returned home to help on her parent’s fruit farm.
A year later she married the “boy next door,” Fred Wasson, on June 5, 1940. They rented and then purchased a fruit farm just up the road where they raised their four daughters who were variously prune pickers, pear sorters, milkmaids, field hands and reluctant housekeepers through their youth.
Fred died in 2012. Ruby is survived by her four daughters: Marcia Teuschler of Hopland, Kathleen Fiero of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Beverly Wasson of Rio Nido and Reta Munselle of Alexander Valley, and grandchildren David Teuschler of Los Angeles, Mark Teuschler of Healdsburg, Tracy McCall of Alexander Valley, Bret Munselle of Alexander Valley, Cort Munselle of Cloverdale, Lance Munselle of Alexander Valley, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Ruby is also survived by two American Field Service exchange student daughters, Birgit Jaastad of Norway and Lupita Barral of Guatemala. Ruby had a wonderful smile and an incredible memory, especially for family and local history, which she loved. With the help of Shonnie Brown, Fred and Ruby recorded the events of a life struggling to survive in Alexander Valley through Prohibition, the Depression, World War II, the ‘50s and ‘60s with the overload of prunes, pears and cows to manage and, then, the financial stress of the changeover to grapes.
There were also adventures away from home. Ruby and Fred enjoyed visiting Birgit in Norway, driving through Mexico with a camper trailer to deliver Lupita to her home in Guatemala City and boating the inland passage of Alaska. Ruby was an active member of the Alexander Valley Parents’ Club when her children were in grammar school, the Alexander Valley Farm Bureau and the Alexander Valley Ladies Aid.
It was possible for Ruby to remain in her own home for so many years because of the wonderful care she received from Shirley Bishop, Charlotte McManus, Patty Gutierrez, Linda Bizaca and Olga Fishman. A memorial service for Ruby will be held at the Alexander Valley Church at a date that has yet to be arranged. For those who wish, donations in Ruby’s memory can be made to the Alexander Valley Ladies Aid (PO Box 44, Healdsburg) or to the Healdsburg Museum (PO Box 952).
Kristin “Kris” Maciel
Born on April 27, 1955, Kris lost her two-year battle with stage four renal cell carcinoma on Nov. 28, 2015. She fought hard to the end. Kris is survived by her four children: Brandon (Samantha), Brittney, Bryanna (Eduardo) and Brooke (Ian); and her five grandchildren Kylee, Makayla, Macie, Jojo and Braxtan.
Kris will be deeply missed by family and friends. There will be a celebration of life on Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Slam Dunk Pizza in Ukiah. Please bring memories to share.