Laura Ruth Hobbs

1918 - 2011

Laura Ruth Hobbs, 92, a former longtime resident of Hawthorne, CA, passed away on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 in Redding, CA. Born in Sterling, ND on July 11, 1918 to Maude and William P. Langley. It was in Sterling she met, fell in love with and married her husband, Harold, a young teacher. His career took them to different farm communities where she served as a 4H leader, a girls' basketball coach and a member of the Ladies Aide Society as well as a wife and mother to three children. In 1953 they moved their family to Hawthorne, CA where her husband made a career change and started a building contracting business. After a number of years her retirement from Sears allowed her to volunteer in community organizations. She was an officer in the Hawthorne Women's Club, an active member of the Lawndale Congregational Church and sat on the local election board. Sewing was one of Laura's many talents. She made many of her own clothes and those of her girls and later made quilts for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed many other craft activities. Her handcrafted candles were unusual and in demand. Family and friends also looked forward to gifts of her apricot and berry preserves and her special cookies. Laura is survived by son, David (Patty) Hobbs of Torrance, CA; and daughters, Iris (Tom) Miller of Redding, CA and Sharon (Dee) Potter of Weaverville, CA; six grandchildren, Brian, Dan, Mark, Cindy, Shari and Dawn; fourteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Loella Gaylord of Placerville, CA and Francis Bowman of Gig Harbor, WA; brother, Forrest Langley of Hawthorne; and sister-in-law, Ruth Hobbs of Cambridge, MA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Hobbs. The Funeral Service will be held at Rice Mortuary on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association. Please sign the guestbook for Laura at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Please go to the mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories, or to obtain directions the services. Check back to view the online video tribute.