Ruth Guritz Anderson passed away on March 26, 2022, at her home for over fifty years in Cloverdale, with her family by her side. Ruth was the 2nd of four daughters born to Herman and Maggie (Kalmbrunn) Guritz in Middletown Township, Jackson County, MN, on July 10, 1926. Described as an animal lover and a no-nonsense Minnesota girl, with a playful side, she was always up to mischief with her sisters. Ruth graduated from Jackson High School, and while working at the Hutchinson Agency in Jackson, she met her future husband, Dr. G. O. Anderson (Doc), a local veterinarian. They were married in 1957.
In 1966 the Andersons moved to Yreka, CA and then in 1970’s, to Cloverdale, establishing the Cloverdale Animal Hospital. Ruth worked by Doc’s side for over thirty-four years, running the animal hospital on Cherry Creek Road.
Ruth raised Burmese cats and later became bitten by the “traveling bug.” Highlights of her travels included a trip to Australia and cruises to Alaska and the Panama Canal.
Ruth is survived by her sister, Sandy (Harold Walton) in MN, her daughter Andrea L. Anderson and Andrea’s partner Chris Edgell (Ruth’s favorite Sports Buddy) of Cloverdale, CA. and many nieces and nephews in the San Francisco Bay area and MN.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two sisters, Marie and Hermene, and their spouses.
Andrea said the day after Ruth passed away, so did her very last Burmese cat. Andrea believes Mom swept by and gathered her pet to go to heaven with. In her later years, Mom became an avid reader. “A book a day—although we thought we had taken all books/books on tape back, I received an email on Sunday that a book was due: Everything Here is Beautiful. I’m taking that as a sign as well. Ruth was known for her response, “exactly true”, said Andrea.
The family would like to thank her caregivers, especially Makelesi Taoi and Cindy Swanson, who helped make Ruth’s wish to remain in her home a reality. At Mom’s request, there will be no services.
