Obituary of Ruth Witebsky

Ruth Witebsky passed away Monday, April 18, 2011, in Jackson at the age of 89 years. Ruth, a native of South Dakota, was born May 24, 1921, to Christian and Nanna Goodhope, in Viborg, South Dakota. She was raised in South Dakota and graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in chemistry. After working for three years as a chemist, she returned to college, attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota. While there, she met and married Leon Witebsky in 1948, and shortly after, the two hitchhiked to California, so Leon could attend graduate school at U.C. Berkeley. The couple moved to Ione, California, in 1954. She resided in Ione for 30 years before moving to Pine Grove in 1984. Ruth is remembered for her many years as a teacher at Ione High School. In 1964, she obtained her math degree and teaching credential from Sacramento State College, and subsequently she taught math in Ione from 1966 through 1983. She also served with various local organizations, including ARC, AAUW, Operation Care, Friends of the Amador County Library, and the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum. She is survived by her son, Chris Witebsky (Valeria Evans) of Berkeley, California; daughters, Joyce Witebsky (Glenn Slocum) of Wisconsin; Ellen Witebsky (David Mann) of Washington; Anne Witebsky (Lyn Henagan) of South Carolina; and Susan Witebsky (Trevor Dumitru) of Palo Alto, California; and grandchildren, Rowan, Linden, Sarah, and Nathan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon. Friends are invited to attend a celebration of life on Saturday, Mary 7, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the local chapter of the Association of Retarded Citizens of Amador and Calaveras Counties, 75 Academy Dr., Sutter Creek, CA 95685 and the AAUW Scholarship Fund Amador Branch, P.O. Box 611, Sutter Creek, CA 95685. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.