Marjorie/Tom Fritz - Anniversary lit a candle for

This is so beautiful to read! So sorry for your loss, what a legacy for all of you!  Many prayers and blessings, Beth and Ken and family :)

See "Photos & Videos" - Tribute Wall Album - for photo and video

From Jean  (Written in 1998):     My mother's parents came from Canada to North Dakota, and my dad's parents came from Sweden to Wisconsin.  My parents met in North Dakota and married while they were both teaching.

	I was born in Pembina, North Dakota and was brought to California at the age of 2.  We moved several times during my childhood because of Dad's teaching.   I remember living in Lake Elsinore, San Gabriel, and Buena Park where my Dad became Superintendent of Schools.  I had one younger brother John, who became a school teacher in Hemet, California.  I am very thankful for my happy childhood and later school days.  

I remember one frightening incident occurring at the ocean.  Being very little, I was out in the water up to my neck, when suddenly a wave came, and I was rolling around underneath the wave.  But I landed on  shore, PTL, and as I crawled out of the water I remember my Dad running for me. 

School days were interesting because I would see Dad at times and it made me feel glad to see him around the school.  As the principal at one of the schools, the older kids told me that he had a spanking machine in his office.  When still quite young, I was sent to his office for going into the class room during the noon hour.  I just sat in his office for awhile wondering where the machine was, and needless to say, where he was.  I was glad that he was somewhere else, and I never found that spanking machine.

I sang my first solo about this time, something about a little Dutch girl with wooden shoes, and of course I had to wear little wooden shoes to complete my outfit.  Born into a musical family, my dad sang professionally and studied voice privately.   Also, I began piano lessons in 5th grade, which continued for many years.   I also sang in all the school choirs.

For several summers we tented at Yosemite, with my dad working at Happy Isles.  When I was about 5,  my brother John and I found my dad in his big black coat.  But the big black coat was not my dad, it was a big black bear.  Our fast little feet took off and we hid in the restrooms.  I also remember vacationing at Yellowstone as well as visiting relatives in Minnesota

We attended church quite regularly.  In the 8th grade we moved to Buena Park, where we attended the Congregational Church.  

I was a waitress at Knott's Berry Farm Chicken House under the tutelage of Cordelia Knott for 3  years  while going to High School and Fullerton Jr. College.  I never forgot dropping two full trays of berry pies... it was very mortifying. 

After Jr. College, I left home for nurse's training at Cal State, San Francisco from1946-1949.  I joined the Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco.  I remember deciding, that as I went forward to join the church, I was announcing to others that my faith was in Christ.  Also, I feel that He revealed Himself to me at a very early age, because I always believed that He was the Son of God.

While in San Francisco, we would often head up to the Russian River to swim and have ice cream.  I had several boyfriends, one who took me across the Golden Gate on a thrilling motorcycle ride.  Then, one of my classmates, Sylvia Hofer, brought me to her home in Dinuba (which I had never heard of) where I met one of her brothers, Julius.  We fell in love and were married on June 8th, 1950, after my graduation the previous September.  Soon after our wedding, my Golden Gate Bridge boyfriend wrote asking if we could get back together... Julius was not amused.  

	In 1951, we were at an evangelistic meeting where I became uneasy about my salvation and I went forward to pray.  The Lord gave me the peace that passeth all understanding.  Some months later, I was very happily baptized in the Kings River and joined the Zion Mennonite Church.  I praise the Lord for His faithfulness to me and His patience with me.

Services for Jean Marie (Gilbert) Hofer were held at Smith Mtn. Cemetary and Palm Village Retirement Center. Born in North Dakota on Sep 21, 1926, she went home to her Lord and Savior on May 5, 2014. She was raised in Southern Calif. where her dad taught and was superintendent of schools in Buena Park. She actually earned money for college under Cordelia Knott at Knott's Berry Farm Chicken House. She was a Homemaker, and also a Registered Nurse at Alta Hospital for 32 years. She graduated from UC, San Francisco in 1949 and was married in 1950 to Julius Hofer until his death in 1981. She was loved by co-workers, friends and family who will sorely miss her. She was very musical, serving her church and community - singing, playing piano and violin. She was an avid walker and a member of Dinuba Sr. Citizens, volunteering for their various medical clinic days. Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary in 1952, husband Julius, grandson John Fritz in 1994, son-on-law Ron Musselman, and brother John Gilbert. She is survived by daughters Karen Musselman and Marjorie Fritz; son-in-law Tom Fritz, grandsons Jonathan Musselman, Timothy (Amanda) Fritz and Jeff (Lisa) Fritz, and great-grandsons Ayden, Tysen and Tyler Fritz. "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms"...Deut. 33:27

While Julius was doing carpentry work, I worked in the Reedley Hospital between having babies.  Our first daughter, Karen, was born with hydrocephalus, which was a big concern.  But the Lord was especially gracious and she developed normally after the first 2 years.  Our second daughter, Mary Victoria, was full-term, but was stillborn, with spina bifida and other problems.  By the time I was due to have our third daughter, Margie, I was very anxious.  But PTL she she did not have any problems except for colic.  

Soon, Julius went into bridge construction, so we first moved to Southern California and then to Dunsmuir, California.  In 1955, while living in Dunsmuir, Julius suffered a nervous breakdown and he had to be in and out of hospitals, requiring many shock treatments.  The illness brought about many changes, and there were years of moving about to find help from different doctors and churches.  The Lord did answer prayer so that we were able to have many happy memories including a trip to Florida and one to South Dakota.  We lived on Romans 8 and I Corinthians 10:13.  I became so thankful for God's Word and His keeping power.  

Julius was very burdened for the lost, in spite of his illness, and witnessed frequently to those with whom he worked.  His last job was with Salwasser Manufacturing, here in Reedley, as a draftsman.  It was a job from the Lord as I see it now...they were so good to him.

When he passed away in 1981, after a fatal heart attack, I praised the Lord that his depression was over...Satan could not bother him anymore and He was experiencing joy unspeakable and full of glory.  This knowledge has been a wonderful strength.

I began studying violin at age 50 from my son-in-law Tom, and was soon playing wherever he put me!  I was privileged to sing in many church choirs and play in orchestras for Christ.   

My nursing career spanned 36 years, having worked at Reedley Hospital, Pomona Hospital, Downey Community Hospital and finally Alta Hospital in Dinuba.  While there, I did general nursing, ER, Surgery, became OB Superviser, and finally became the Surgical Recovery nurse.  (M. memory  My mom always carried a small white Bible in her uniform pocket.  She was always so thrilled when she was able to share Christ, or help someone with a scripture passage.) 

After retiring from nursing in 1986, I enjoyed being a mother, grandmother to four boys, John, Jonathan, Tim and Jeff, and then a great-grandmother to three more boys; Ayden, Tysen and Tyler.  I also was active in the Dinuba Senior Citizens group and was often scheduled to give community vaccinations.

Also in 1983, I was able to obtain a Cabin in Wilsonia near Grant Grove, which became our families' great love for 23 years.  We spent many great times there both in summer and winter.  I met many friends there as well and found this place to be a wonderful blessing.

The illness and death of my grandson John at age 15 was an extremely difficult time, but again the Lord proved He is faithful even in the darkest times.

I stayed in close touch with my Nursing School classmates as we attended reunions at Asilomar every few years.

In my life, I have continually learned that The Joy of the Lord is My Strength.

Jean is survived by:

Her Daughter Karen Musselman

Daughter Marjorie Fritz

Her Son-in-law Tom Fritz

Grandchildren:  Jonathan Musselman, Timothy Fritz and his wife Amanda, Jeff Fritz and his   wife Lisa

and three great-grandsons, Ayden Fritz, Tysen Fritz and Tyler Fritz

She is also survived by her sister-in-law Dora Gilbert, and nieces KathyYowell and Andrea Gilbert

and by Sisters-in-law Anne Eddy, Marjorie, Rita and Jenny Hofer, and Brothers-in-law Jonas and Emmett Hofer and Dean Ecke.

As well as a host of nieces, nephews and their families from Julius' side of the family.

OBITUARY

Jean Marie Hofer

September 21, 1926 – May 5, 2014

Dopkins Funeral Chapel

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