Josephine Elizabeth Blumhardt's Obituary
February 5, 2016 Betty Jo was born in Dairyland, CA to Swiss dairyman, Joseph Gwerder and Zilpha Elizabeth Collings Gwerder of pioneer stock reaching back to colonial and revolutionary America. She had two younger sisters, Ann (deceased) and Amy. Her single mother moved the girls to Auburn, CA to live with their grandparents, and then bought a home in near-by Meadow Vista to raise them. Betty Jo graduated from Placer Union High School in Auburn and attended Sierra College. A secretarial position at McClellan Air Force Base brought her to Sacramento. She met her sweetheart and life-long partner, Arnie, at a dance and they wed in 1944. Arnie served in the Army Air Corps and they were stationed in Arizona and Florida during WWII. They purchased a home in North Highlands, raised their four children and lived there happily until 2015. She was a devoted wife and mother and involved herself in her family’s activities as well as community service. She loved to cook up creative activities such as a come-as-your-mother party, come-as you-are party, Miss America pageant with talent competition and international dinner night at home. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, church secretary, election board volunteer and AFS host parent to exchange student, Maria, from Chile. As a crossword puzzle and word game wiz, she was familiar with the most arcane of words. After Arnie’s retirement from the FAA, they traveled widely to Europe, South America and across these United States and Canada. She spent her final years devoted to caring for Arnie before his death on November 27, 2015 after 71 years of marriage. She is survived by her son Arnold II, daughters Tricia (Doug), Eileen (Wayne) and Lynette (Dave), grandchildren Robbie, Erica, Millie, Trevor, Matthew (deceased), Andy, Will and Kyle, great grandchildren Erica and Mercedes, great great grandchildren Veronica and Zachary. She is loved and will be missed, but now she is dancing with her beloved Arnie. A Viewing will be held at Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes, 4701 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA on Friday, February 26 from 6:00-7:00pm. A memorial service will be held at Advent Lutheran Church, 5901 San Juan Ave., Citrus Heights, CA on Saturday, February 27 at 11:30am. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Betty Jo’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp
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