Obituaries

Rudolph Lawrence Enger, 89, passed away on December 17, 2007. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice Margaret. Rudy was born in Red Elm, South Dakota and spent his childhood in Wisconsin. His youth was spent in Gary, Indiana, where he worked in the produce department of a grocery store, did concrete construction and was employed in the steel mills. Rudy served in the Army during WWII in the European theater. He drove supply trucks transporting supplies and men during the Battle of the Bulge. He met his wife of forty years at a USO dance while training at Camp Adair, Oregon. They were married in Salinas, California, after his discharge from the Army, the couple settled in Gilroy in 1945, where Rudy worked for his father-in-law at Concrete Construction Company. When the business moved to Oregon, Rudy found employment at Gilroy Motors until his retirement. He spent his retirement in the home he and his wife built, gardening, wood-working and sitting under the crepe myrtle watching the birds feed. His is survived by his daughter Margaret Enger and his faithful Australian Shepherd, Mattie.

Emma Contreras passed away Saturday December 15th. She is survived by her husband, Francisco Contreras, to whom she had been married for 55 years, her daughters Fattima Contreras and Lorraine Riley and her grandchildren, Jessica and Thomas McClelland and Connor Riley. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Elizabeth. She was generous with her time and was actively involved in the church as a Eucharistic minister and took great joy in her singing with the choir. All who knew her will miss her deeply. A vigil will be held at Johnson's funeral home on Tuesday December 18, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. and the funeral mass will be held at St. Catherine's Catholicf Church in Morgan Hill on Wednesday, December 19th at 9:30AM.

Kenneth Robert Knoll died at the age of 76 on Friday, December 14, 2007 in the family home in Corning, CA. Mr. Knoll was born September 22, 1931 in Battle Mountain, NV. He was a veteran of our country and served as a corpsman in the U. S. Navy, attached to the U. S. Marines during the Korean War. Mr. Knoll was also in law enforcement for thirty years. He was a Deputy Sheriff with Los Angeles County for eleven years. He also served two terms as the constable for San Benito County, and served eleven years as a patrolman with the California Highway Patrol. Kenny married Sandra Jean Knoll on November 15, 1958 in El Monte, CA. Kenny and Sandra have been sharing a loving friendship and marriage until his death on Friday. Kenny was an active member of the Community. During his service with the Highway Patrol, Kenny worked in the Hollister, Gilroy area. During that time, the Knoll family was living in San Juan Bautista. Mr. Knoll served as a volunteer with the San Benito County Fair, and also with the local "4-H" clubs.

Jesse Guttirez passed away in Hanford at the age of 60.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of a loving husband, father and grandfather. Javier was the devoted husband of 31 years to Romelia, loving father of Javier Jr. (Amie), Erik, Veronika and wonderful grandfather of Natalie and Yazmeen. Javier was born in Juarez, Mexico in 1952 and moved to San Jose as a child before living his final years in Gilroy. He was an Honorable Marine, followed by an expert welder at FMC before retiring from the City of San Jose in 2000. He is preceded in death by his father, Pascual and brother, Alfredo Tovar. He is survived by his mother, Herminia and brother to three sisters, three brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

Irene Laursen, a Gilroy resident since 1959, died December 13th at Santa Theresa Hospital in San Jose. Born Irene Sylvia Peters, she was 11th of 12 children in rural northwestern Nebraska. Irene had flowing red hair, a love of dancing, and a playful wit. She married fellow Nebraskan, Rudy Laursen, in 1936. The couple's three children were all born in Nebraska; Lorrie Baker of Oakland, Phill Laursen of Gilroy, and Byron Laursen of Santa Ynez. A shy personality, yet remarkably determined, Irene survived by 35 years the loss of her beloved Rudy. A member of Saint Mary's Parish, Irene received last rites before her passing. She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Lisa, Jennifer, and Kristin Laursen of San Francisco, and by devoted daughters-in-law, Kathy Laursen and Theresa Volpe Laursen.

With loving family, close friends, and a wonderful caregiver nearby, Patricia Jean (Dillon) Marlowe passed from this life at her home in Gilroy after a three-year wrestle with cancer. She met this challenge with dignity, pragmatism and concern for those around her that also characterized her life's journey. Patricia was born on her father's ranch in Aromas. She grew up pitting apricots, tending livestock, working hard alongside her parents, three brothers and a sister. She graduated Watsonville High School in 1942. On May 1, 1943, Patricia married high school sweetheart, James W. Marlowe in Yuma, AZ while he was on leave from the Navy during WWII. The first of three sons, James D. was born while husband Jim was in the South Pacific. After discharge, Patricia and Jim made a home in King City when he returned to his job with Southern Pacific Railroad and another son, Jack, was born. They moved to Gilroy in 1948 where a third boy, Jay, arrived. Devoting herself to family life was Pat's highest calling. She also enjoyed working as a school secretary for 20 years at Elliot and Rucker Elementary schools. She told great stories about kids as they passed through her office over the years. Always an advocate for learning, she was a past PTA President, and in the 1970s, attended Gavilan College to obtain her AA degree. When she lost son Jack to the Vietnam War, she joined the National Organization of Gold Star Mothers, working on projects benefiting veterans, and serving as President of the San Jose Chapter for 12 years. In retirement, Pat and Jim spent 17 years enjoying grandchildren and friends, traveling the U.S. to visit relatives, taking trips to Brazil, Tahiti, Australia, British Isles, and Norway. They were known for backyard BBQs with sizzling steaks, Pat's macaroni salad, and unparalleled chili beans. After Jim passed in 1996, Patricia kept busy with gardening, managing properties, spending time with family and doting on grandkids. In later years, she joined Women in Touch, going on excursions with members and serving as "sunshine" secretary. She attended South Valley Community Church, appreciating the fellowship. Recently, Patricia received an award from the Exchange Club of Gilroy for "Outstanding Service and Contributions" to youth, Americanism, and community - a recognition that brought her joy, pride and a sense of accomplishment. Patricia was preceded in death by parents, Harry & Evelyn Dillon; husband Jim; brothers Dale, Lyle, and John Dillon, sister Dolores Jones; son Jack, and granddaughter Amy. She is survived by son James D. Marlowe and wife, Sandra, of Gilroy; grandson Jon Marlowe, wife Nina, and great-grandson, Lucas, of San Ramon; granddaughter Megan Marlowe of Spring, TX; son Jay P. Marlowe of Lompoc, wife Marcia, granddaughter Marielle, grandson Jay, Jr., of Mexicali, Mexico; granddaughter Jennifer Marlowe of Somerton, AZ along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Private interment will be at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park in Watsonville. A celebration of her life will be held at South Valley Community Church in Gilroy on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM, with reception following.