CATHIE HOSTETLER

November 23, 1965 - October 13, 2010

Cathie, a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend and successful business woman passed away at her home in Los Banos on Wednesday after a 3 year battle with Lou Gehrig's Disease.

She was born in Tacoma, Washington to Donald and Edythe Smith. While growing up she lived in various cities around the US where her father was involved in waterway, dam, and nuclear construction sites. Cathie returned to Washington at the age 16 and graduated from Tahoma High School.

In 1968 she moved to Los Banos to be with her family who were working on the San Luis Dam Construction. It was at this time, in late 1968, that Cathie gave birth to her beloved daughter, Andrea, who grew to be her closest friend. Before Cathie's passing, Andrea would bless her with the addition of a son-in-law whom she loved and treasured.

In July of 1972, Cathie met the love of her life, Greg Hostetler, while working with him at Carlos' . There was no doubt she had found her life partner and she married him seven months later. They enjoyed 38 wonderful and adventurous years together. During these years, Cathie worked as a waitress at places such as Carlos' and Tiny's, going on to obtain her real estate brokers license in 1974, then teaming up with her husband to launch the Ranchwood Family of Companies. For more than 3 decades Cathie and Greg have built and operated these companies, which include farming, home building, land development and transportation operations. For the majority of this time, Cathie managed every aspect of the Companies finances and administrative duties, laying the foundation for success. The fruits of their labor included the accomplishment of building 600 homes per year and owning and developing over 5,000 acres of almonds. Together, Greg and Cathie have built a legacy of ingenuity, dedication, and endless giving.

If there is something that Cathie displayed best in life, it was her ability to enjoy life and the people around her. She was an accomplished cook and frequently entertained people in her home. She loved to boat, cheer on the Giants and 49er's, read, and spend any free time at her beloved Central Camp near Yosemite. Her hearts joy was in bringing happiness to others Cathie was vivacious and outgoing and often displayed this through her adventures in suba diving, skiing, waterskiing, and of course Nascar. She was an enthusiastic collector of both Santa Clause decor and Bears. She was accompanied to the end by her faithful friend and dog, Harry always by her side.

Cathie is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Edythe Smith. She is survived by her husband, Greg; her daughter, Andrea Brandt; her new and beloved son-in-law, Ron Brandt; Her sister Claire Satre (Tom) ; Parent-in-laws, Ed & Merry Hostetler; brother-in-law Rory Hostetler (Connie); sister-in-law Suzanne Rider (Clay); and 7 nieces and nephews: Lynn Chernugal (Rick), Leslie Satre, Lori Beck (Lennie), Michael Satre (Cindy), Jason Rider (Anna), Matt Rider, and Max Hostetler. She is also a loving great-aunt and great-great aunt to many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Cathie's Bears, a foundation they are creating in Cathie's honor. The purpose of this foundation will be to share Cathie's love of bears, her giving spirit, and her love of children by providing stuffed bears to children in need of hope. It is the family's hope that the sparkle they saw in Cathie's smile will live on through the smiles of the children these bears reach. Donations may be mailed to: Cathie's Bears 923 East Pacheco Blvd., Suite C, Los Banos, CA 93635. Donations can be mailed to Cathie's Bears, 923 East Pacheco Blvd, Los Banos, CA 93635. Donations to the ALS Foundation at UCSF are also appreciated: payable to UCSF Foundation c/o Eden Jacoby, Dept. of Neurology 220 Montgomery Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. Please include "ALS Center" in the memo field when donating.

Please join the Hostetler family on Thursday, October 21st, 2010 at 3:00 for a service celebrating Cathie's life at the Exhibit Building at the Los Banos Fairgrounds, 403 F Street, Los Banos. Reception will immediately follow in the adjacent O'Banion Building.