Loved so dearly by family and friends, Sheri passed away in grace at home, with family and friends by her side, after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer and scleroderma, in Fillmore, CA, on November 20, 2008 at age 53.
Sheri was born in Tucson, AZ, to Searle and Virginia Rudd, raised in Canoga Park, CA, graduated from Chatsworth, CA, High School, obtained a B.S. Degree in Soil Science from Cal Poly Univ at SLO, CA, and earned an M.S. Degree in Agronomy from the Univ of Missouri.
Sheri’s experiences in Girl Scouts introduced her to the wonders of nature, and Sheri pursued a career to “save the earth”. Sheri worked college summers and after graduation for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, consulting on irrigation efficiency, erosion control and fire remediation in Ventura County, CA.
In 1995, Sheri’s love of agriculture and her passion for teaching were recognized when she moved on to lead the University of California Hansen Trust, which Sheri administered to promote, benefit and sustain agriculture in Ventura County.
Sheri was instrumental in the Trust’s purchase of the 27 acre Faulkner Farm, a National Register of Historic Places demonstration farm near Santa Paula, CA. At the Faulkner Farm, Sheri developed research and education projects in agricultural literacy, teaching students (and hundreds of teachers) where food originates.
Sheri was active in the School Garden Network and in the Agriculture in the Classroom program. Sheri was also involved in the Farm to School program, linking local growers with the school lunch program, and in the Ag Futures Alliance, formulating and implementing consensus positions on sustainable agriculture in Ventura County.
The UC Hansen Trust has established the Sheri Rudd Klittich Agricultural Literacy and Issues Grant in her honor, and the UC Hansen Trust has dedicated a Faulkner Farm Instructional Barn in her name.
Sheri is survived by devoted husband, Chris Johnson, by former husband, Bob Klittich, by children, Jeff (Luana) Klittich, Kenny Klittich, & Kristen Klittich, by mother, Virginia Rudd, by brothers, Steve Rudd, Dan (Amy) Rudd & Dale (Stacie) Rudd, & by nieces and nephews, Meghan Rudd, Shannon Rudd, Adam (Sarah) Ross, Evan Rudd & Caitlin Rudd.
Sheri loved spending time with family, relatives, friends, & co-workers. Sheri liked her pets too, and especially her first, mischievous Heidi the Puppydog, and her last, playful Gizmo the Kittycat. Sheri was truly faithful in her everyday life, in worship services, and in holiday celebrations with the Baha’i Faith in Fillmore, CA.
A private family burial service has been held at the Bardsdale Cemetery, and a public memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on November 22nd, 2008, at the Faulkner Farm, 14292 West Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA. Donations can be made in Sheri’s honor to the Cancer Hope Foundation, sponsor of Camp Keepsake (www.cancerhope.org) which provides comfort & hope for patients and their families.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the family owned and operated Rose Perez Funeral Home. Telephone: (805) 484-6365. www.CamarilloMortuary.com