By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Joan M. Gatz
Placeholder Image
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at River Oak Arena in Patterson for Joan M. Bennett Gatz, 53, of Ceres. She died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006 in a crash into the Tuolumne River west of Ceres.

Born Aug. 15, 1952, Mrs. Gatz was a native of Modesto and had lived in Ceres since 1952. She was a rancher and co-owner of Gatz Team Roping Horses and Arena Productions. She was a graduate of Modesto High School and attended Modesto Junior College. She was a member of the Oakdale Cowboy Museum, Women's Team Roping Association, American Cowboy Team Roping Association, National Team Roping Association and U.S. Team Roping Association. Mrs. Gatz enjoyed horses and art.

She leaves behind her husband, Donald Gatz of Ceres; two stepchildren, Tracy Gatz of Modesto and Dennis Gatz of Texas; her mother, Betty Johnson of Turlock; her brother, Mark Johnson of Corning; and his sister, Shelly Long of Grants Pass, Ore. She was preceded in death by two brothers.

Remembrances may be sent to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” 2018 Santa Fe Ave., Hughson, CA 95326.

-Ceres (Calif.) Courier / February 1, 2006