Judith Rangitsch

Gretchen’s Tribute

My mom was a wonderful person.

Curious, determined, humorous, skilled, intelligent, generous. There are not enough words in me to describe Mom or her profound influence on our lives.

She continually taught herself, from reading nonfiction on psychology or consulting Youtube to learn how to manage her underground sprinkler system. She always regretted not finishing her bachelor’s degree, but this did not hold her back. If anything, it made her more determined to improve her own mind and encourage the education and growth of her three children.

Mom was a fantastic cook. Her pie crust was without peer and her skill at canning, preserving and baking was unparalleled. Handmade egg rolls, bread, pies, pizzas, jams, jellies, pickles, and her lasagna are fond memories throughout my life. Once after making lots of pies, she sighed, “let’s just have pie for dinner.” For many years we bottled homemade root beer in old Coca-Cola bottles. Through her skills she fostered a love of cooking in her children, who early on came to appreciate good flavors and simple dishes made masterfully.

Mom loved candy and chocolate to the point of obsession. She made her own fudge and divinity at Christmas, and many cookies through the year. When I lived with her, I would hide her favorite chocolate covered cherries throughout the house for her to find. If I gave them to her all at once they would be gone too quickly!

Mom was a master gardener. She was such a skilled hand in the garden that she became a victim of her own success, producing more raspberries and vegetables than she knew what to do with. Like many other fields, Mom studied gardening and plants vigorously, amassing a large library of books on everything from fungi and lichens to the science of composting. Even in the wintry, inhospitable climate of Ovando, Montana, she was able to make a beautiful garden grow and thrive. Her homes in Missoula featured her hand-placed rock paths, expertly pruned trees, and a variety of well-kept perennials. Whenever she saw a good rock for her paths, we would pull over the car and collect it from the side of the road. Mom was always surrounded by an abundance of indoor plants and flowers, and that is how I like to remember her. Surrounded by color and life.

Mom loved art and beauty. She would find a rusted piece of metal and hang it on the wall because she found the texture interesting. She created her own art through calligraphy, pastels, and painting. Even wrapping gifts was a creative expression for her. She loved Alphonse Mucha, Monet, Van Gogh, and Del Gish particularly. Every surface was to be decorated and embellished. Every corner of her house was a delightful arrangement of found objects, plants, and art pieces.

Mom loved animals and nature. She delighted in seeing the birds of her neighborhood and the dogs of her friends. She especially appreciated frogs, snails, slugs, and chickens and collected images of them throughout her home. She always made sure to spoil my cat Kitty, making a Christmas stocking for her and sending her gifts. When we went to the Oregon coast, she was up at the crack of dawn to collect shells from the morning tide. I am fortunate to have taken several trips with her in recent years and appreciate her love of travel and new experiences.

Mom “loved a good mess”. She was always taking in abandoned furniture and antiques and painstakingly restoring them to a beautiful finish. She knew how to cane furniture, weaving the thin strands of cane into masterpieces. I am writing this memorial at a maple wood desk and chair she restored by hand. The finish is perfectly smooth from hours of sanding. She loved searching carefully for the perfect antique drawer pulls and hardware. She would find items in dumpsters, on curbsides, or in shops and make them into something better than new with her patience and care.

While growing up, she often lacked the money to afford books for school and would read them in the bookstore whose generous proprietor knew she was a serious student. As a result, when I was growing up, she made sure I had plenty of books. She always chose the most lavishly illustrated children’s books and the most intriguing stories. Many nights she would read Brian Jacques’ book Mossflower to me before bed. My love of reading continues to this day and I attribute my love of learning to her guidance.

Mom passed away suddenly at the end of June. As best we know, she had a sudden severe cardiac arrest at home, probably after a long day of gardening. We think she would have wanted to pass quickly, without a lot of fuss. There would have never been enough time to spend with Mom, but I am grateful for the many years we had to share her presence.

She leaves behind a grieving family who are struggling to cope with the void she left in our lives.

She impacted all of her neighbors and friends throughout her life and is sorely missed every day.

We miss you, Mom. You are dearly loved.

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Judy Rangitsch will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Annex Cemetery in Missoula at the end of October at a private family ceremony. She requested that donations be made to the Missoula Food Bank in her memory.