Doris Ruenell Givans

Doris Ruenell Givans passed away on June 27, 2025. She was born February 1, 1935, in Sweetwater, a rural farming area in Western Oklahoma.

Her parents were Dorothy and Nelson Knox and she was their first child. In 1936, a brother, Kirvin, was born, followed by brother Eirvin, in 1946.

Ruenell attended elementary school in Sweetwater, OK. In 1947, when Ruenell was 12, the family moved to Oakdale, CA.

She attended elementary school in Oakdale and graduated from the 8th grade. The family moved to a dairy in Farmington, CA, and Ruenell attended H.S. in Escalon, CA.

As a Junior, she was honored to represent her H.S. at Girl's State in Sacramento, CA, in 1952. In 1953, she graduated from Escalon H.S. as Valedictorian.

She earned an A.A. degree from Modesto Junior College in 1955, and a B.A. degree and Teaching Credential from California State, Sacramento, CA, in 1957.

Her first teaching position was in the Home Economics Department of Downey H.S. in Modesto, CA.

In June of 1958, she married Richard "Dick" Givans of Sacramento, CA, and moved to Marysville, CA, where both continued their teaching careers, she at Yuba Gardens School in Olivehurst, CA, and he at Alicia School in Linda, CA.

Ruenell became a full-time mom with the birth of their first son, Rick, followed by Scott and Troy. She fully embraced and enjoyed being a mother and was frequently Class Mom, Team Mom and a Super Volunteer.

Ruenell also taught at Yuba City H.S. and Yuba College, and owned a fabric shop, Ruenell's Fabrics, where she taught sewing, tailoring and quilting.

For several years she did the computer work at Feather River Trophies, a business co-owned by her husband.

Ruenell was a Charter Member of the Valley Quilt Guild in 1982, and was an active member until her passing. One of her favorite pastimes was making quilts for family and friends.

She also made countless quilts for under privileged children, Veterans, and Breast Cancer Auctions.

She also enjoyed genealogy, playing Bridge, and watching the San Francisco Giants and Sacramento Kings. Ruenell and Dick were enthusiastic, involved grandparents and loved spending time with their grandchildren individually, in small groups, and during the many family gatherings they hosted at their home in Yuba City, CA, since 1965.

Ruenell and Dick took their first trip to Europe in 1988, with a group of Yuba City teachers and, from that time on, they were continuously planning their next trip.

They loved traveling with friends and family. The highlight of their travels was a 50th Anniversary cruise to Alaska with their entire family in 2008.

Her husband, Dick, preceded her in death in December of 2016. Ruenell is survived by her three sons, Richard "Rick" of Elk Grove, CA, Scott of Santa Barbara, CA, and Troy of Carmichael, CA; five grandchildren, Scarlett Preuitt (Joe) of Penn Valley, CA, Danielle of Los Angeles, CA, Baxter of Carmichael, CA, John of Santa Barbara, CA, and Kira of Carmichael, CA; brothers, Kirvin Knox (Jan) of Fort Collins, CO, and Eirvin Knox of Santa Rosa, CA; nieces, Kathy Wimmer of CT, Caroline Knox of WI, Leslie Cousineau of IL, and Ellen Knox of Santa Rosa CA; and nephew, Seth Knox of Santa Rosa, CA.

Ruenell lived a full life and was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and valued member of her community. She will be greatly missed!

A Memorial Service will be held at Ullrey Memorial Chapel, 817 Almond Street, Yuba City, CA 95991 on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 11 AM. A Celebration of Life reception for Ruenell will directly follow the Memorial Service at The Plaza Room, 210 Julie Drive, Yuba City, CA 95991 in Hillcrest Plaza.

A private interment will be held at Sutter Cemetery on Monday, July 28, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be given to the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank, 760 Stafford Way, Yuba City, CA 95991 or Hands of Hope, 909 Spiva Avenue, Yuba City, CA 95991.