Josephine Catherine Petritz Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On December 10, 2017, Josephine Catherine Petritz, known by her family and friends as “Grandma Jo,” passed away surrounded by her loving family. Jo was born in Butte, Montana on November 19, 1934 to Joseph and Mary Gorshe. She spent part of her childhood on a small ranch in the Twin Bridges area before moving to Butte, growing up in a house with a white picket fence on Locust Street. Jo graduated from Butte High School in 1953 and attended the Butte Business College, thereafter holding jobs with the Mountain States Telephone Company from 1953 – 1965, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Butte as a Clerk/Typist from 1965 – 1966, and the Capri Motel from 1967 – 1989 as a desk clerk. Later, after a short retirement, she worked at First Aid Systems of Montana, and the Town Pump gift shop in Rocker. Jo met her loving husband, Archie Petritz, and they married on June 19, 1965. They went on to have five children, Lynn, Tim, John, Jerry, and Danny. Remarkably, they were all born on the same date, April 15th, making it impossible for Archie to forget any of their birthdays. Jo and Archie were married for 39 years prior to him passing away on October 25, 2004. Grandma Jo was blessed with several grandchildren as well. She will be loved and missed by Andrew, Kaylee, TJ, Joel, Kamrie, Archie, Jacy, Lauryn, Aidan, Jaden, and Faith. She also had one great-grandchild, Dawsyn. Jo’s greatest joy and her legacy came from her family. She and Archie were so proud of each and every one of their children and grandchildren. Grandma Jo was often seen cutting out and stitching different and unique patterns for quilts made with love for each grandchild which eventually found their way under the Christmas tree. In addition to quilting, grandma was a talented crafter and scrapbooker. All of her children received beautiful scrapbooks of their lives, memories that she collected over many years. Jo was an excellent cook and was famous for her walnut and apple poviticia. She provided close supervision in her later years as the tradition was carried on by her children. All of the children and their spouses have specific jobs on poviticia day. It is serious business, yet everyone manages to laugh and love, and have a special treat to share with friends and family. Grandma Jo was also known for her wonderful flower garden at the cabin located at Georgetown Lake. She spent time working with the Butte Flower Club on several gardens located in the uptown Butte area which were often seen within the pages of Montana Standard. Jo is survived by her children and their spouses, Lynn and Darin Job of Missoula, Tim and Lisa Petritz of Anaconda, John Petritz, Jerry Petritz, and Dan and Dawn Petritz all of Butte, her grandchildren, her brothers-in-law Larry Jany and Marty “Big Eye” (Judy) Petritz, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Mary Gorshe, husband Archie, grandson Joel, sister Rose Jany, brothers and sisters-in law and their spouses, Peter “Peachy” (Mary) Petritz, Joseph “Joey” Petritz, Rudy “Rooster” (Phyllis) Petritz, Mark “Teacha” (Dottie) Petritz, Antone “Patty” (Jean) Petritz, Margaret (Joe) Malkovich, Lorraine (Mike) Zora, Kay Petritz, James “Brownie” (Kay) Petritz, Patricia “Cookie” Petritz, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks are extended to the staff at Big Sky Assisted Living, Genesis Physical Therapy, and Compassus (especially Dorothy), Mindy Padrotti, and Dr. Cortese. Memorials in memory of Grandma Jo may be made to the Spirit of Columbia Gardens, any hospice organization or a charity of the donor’s choice. Grandma, thanks for the love, laughter and memories. Don’t worry, we all know that Danny’s the favorite, but we’ll still keep picking on your Danny.

Tributes

Josephine Catherine Petritz

November 19, 1934 - December 10, 2017