1932 - 2015
Frank Joseph “Joe” Gwerder passed away in Stockton, Calif., on April 4, 2015. A third generation Walnut Grove farmer and cattleman, he was born in Sacramento on June 18, 1932 to Frank and Murrice Sheehan Gwerder. He grew up in Walnut Grove and graduated from Walnut Grove Elementary, Courtland High School and the University of California, Berkeley, where he was president of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta.
Joe is survived by his devoted family: wife Caroline Goodwin Gwerder, children and their spouses: Carrie and Jeff Twitchell, Jim and Julie Gwerder, Ann and Fritz Durst; grandchildren, Caroline and Sarah Twitchell, Laura Hatheway (Ryan), Garrett, Patrick, Molly and Nikolaus Durst, Jennifer and Jane Gwerder, great granddaughter Paisley Hatheway, sister-in-law Alice Lenz and eight nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister and brother-in law Jane and John Wheeler and his brother-in-law Howard Lenz. He served on the Boards of River City Bank, Sacramento Federal Land Bank, Sacramento and Western States Angus Breeders, Thompson and Folger Company and Reclamation District 1002.
He was a member of Rancheros Visitadores, the Sacramento Grandfather’s Club and the California Cattlemen’s Association. Joe adored his family and friends and loved spending time with them, especially at Lake Tahoe, boating, water skiing and snow skiing. He also enjoyed hunting, pack trips, cattle drives, traveling and ski trips with his good friends, horseback riding on the ranch and playing polo. He enjoyed life to the fullest. A memorial Mass was held in Sacramento April 16. The family prefers donations to the Dr. Paul Barnes Community Park, PO Box 1122, Walnut Grove, CA 95690 or St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, PO Box 436 Walnut Grove, CA 95690 or a charity of your choice.