Ruth W. Raney

Ruth Raney (nee Wagenman), aged 99, passed away on August 25, 2024, in Sacramento, CA. Born on August 21, 1925, in Lodi, California to Russian emigrant parents, she was a cherished member of the family and will be dearly missed. 

Ruth spent her formative years in Acampo on the family farm where German was her first language, attending Woodbridge school and Lodi High School. She furthered her education at a business college in Sacramento, which paved the way for her distinguished career. Ruth retired from the University of California, San Francisco, where she served diligently as the secretary to the dean of medicine. 

Raised in the German Baptist Church in Lodi, Ruth's faith was an integral part of her life. She was known for her zest for life and diverse interests, which included fishing, piloting a 40-foot yacht through the Golden Gate on many fishing trips with friends, once catching a 50 pound salmon, riding her snowrnobile in Montana to the small streams to find more fish, many trips to Fort Bragg with her brother Raymond to search for Abalone, golfing with friends, flying with many friends in their planes, singing with friends late into the night, and driving her beloved little Porsche, once taking the dean of medicine on a wild ride to the airport so he wouldn't miss his flight. Ruth also had a compassionate side, demonstrated by her many years spent rescuing cats and dogs. 

Ruth was preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Lt. Charles Perrin Raney, who was co-pilot on a B25 bomber that was shot down on March 10, 1945, during WW11, she never remarried. parents, Daniel and Christina Goehring Wagenman; her siblings, Ida Davis, Pauline Rodgers, Rachel Moore, Marie Pedley, Raymond Wagenman, Herman Wagenman, and her firstborn brother Fred, who died in infancy. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Raney, her loving nieces and nephews, her wonderful caregiver Kelly, who will all greatly miss her and hold her memory dear.

Lodi Memorial in Lodi, CA, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Ruth's life and legacy will be honored and remembered by all who knew her.