Louise Demaris Gothard

Louise was born in Sheffield, AL on September 14, 1919 to Robert and Christine (Brooks) Pugh. She was the eldest of six siblings. She attended school in Rockford, IL. Graduating from Rockford Senior High School in 1939.

After graduation, Louise moved to Phoenix, AZ where she saw the "Uncle Sam Wants You" poster in front of a recruiting office. She went inside and enlisted in the Navy that day in April 1944. Louise went through boot camp at Hunter College in New York and specialty training in Milledgeville, GA. She was then stationed at the brand new Naval Ordinance Test Station in Inyokern, CA. She served her country with pride during World War II. She was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Storekeeper First Class in Aviation Supply Work. While stationed at N.O.T.S., she met the love of her life and future husband Joe Gothard, who was stationed there after serving with the United States Marine Corp in the South Pacific.

After her discharge from the Navy, she moved to Visalia, CA, Joe's hometown. They were married in the Little Church of the West in Las Vegas, NV in 1947. They made their home in Visalia where they raised their 3 children. They were married for 55 years before Joe passed away in 2001.

Louise worked for Visalia Title and Trust before choosing to be a stay at home mom, Den Mother, and Brownie Leader for her children. In addition to being a devoted mother, Louise played golf and was a member of the Visalia Country Club for 30 years. She served as the Women's Publicity Chairman for many of those years.

Louise loved the outdoors. She participated in numerous bike rallies in Yosemite National Park. She traveled everywhere in her van. She and Joe enjoyed spending time at the Holiday RV Park in Pismo Beach, CA in their fifth-wheel . She spent many years camping in the National Parks of California. She also enjoyed spending time in the Arizona deserts and mountains with her brothers and niece Billiejean Pugh.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and all of her siblings; Bob, Bill, Raymond, and Howard Pugh, and sister Mary Elizabeth Riedesel. She is survived by her children Linda Gothard of Fresno, Robert Gothard of Visalia, and Susan Gunderman (Rick) of Visalia. Her three step grand daughters, sister-in-law Dorothy Gothard of Arroyo Grande, CA, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr Stephen Smith IV of Renal Medical Group for treating our mom with the utmost kindness, compassion and respect for the past 12 years. Thank you to Nora, her friend and caregiver, and Kaweah Delta Hospice for making this transition as comfortable as possible for all of us.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 3 pm - 6 pm at Miller Memorial Chapel, 1120 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am Friday, March 31, 2017 at the Visalia Public Cemetery Pavilion, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia.

Tributes and condolences may be offered at www.millerchapel.com