Ruth LaVonne Katuin 8/3/1925 – 10/15/2017

On October 15, 2017, Ruth LaVonne Katuin was relieved from her battle with Alzheimer’s and taken in peace to God’s loving care. Ruth was 92, born on August 3, 1925 in Iowa to Tommy and Louise Johnson. In 1949 she married John Katuin, to whom she was married for 58 years. In 1961, they moved their family with five children from the Katuin family farm in Iowa to Fresno. In 1969, they moved to the home they built in Madera Ranchos.

Ruth was a beautiful woman, with a strong commitment to family, her faith, and her joy of life. Alzheimer’s did not steel her kind personality. She always had a quick, beautiful smile, and “please and thank you” were always used.

Ruth worked over 25 years at Holland Elementary School in Fresno until she retired. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and inviting everyone to “come in and have a cup of coffee and cookies”. She was a beautiful seamstress sewing clothes for herself and children and many quilts. She taught her family the importance of family, friends, and love. Love was her greatest gift that she taught by example. She built a family full of love that stands with strong traditions, especially Christmases, like the ones in story books. She enjoyed life, traveling with her husband in their trailer, card club with friends, square dancing, and family gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John, great grandson Dylan Jenks, her parents, and 10 siblings.

Ruth was loved, will be missed and always remembered by her children, Alan (Sherry) Katuin, Fresno; Victoria Barlow, Madera Ranchos; Dennis (Trudy) Katuin, Clovis; Mary (Larry) Vosburg, Las Vegas, NV; Curtis Katuin, Madera Ranchos; 12 Grandchildren, 19 Great-Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Granddaughter; sister Francis (Dean) Swanson, Marshalltown, Iowa and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Mrs. Scotts that have cared for her for the past 2 years and the nurses from Hinds Hospice.

Visitation a Jay Chapel, Madera Friday, 10/20. Service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Madera at 10 am Sat. 10/21 with lunch immediately following. Burial will be at 9 am Monday at Arbor Vitae Cemetery, Madera.

In lieu of flowers, donation to Madera Trinity Lutheran Church, Alzheimers Association or charity of choice.

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