::: COMMUNITY NEWS

Mary and Harold Voss were married 52 years.

15-year resident Harold Voss dies at 78

Published Saturday, November 1, 2003

Longtime resident Harold Voss died Tuesday after being diagnosed with cancer in July. He was 78.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1615 Morse Ave., Sacramento.

Mr. Voss and his wife, Mary, moved to Rancho Murieta in 1988 and built a home here. "He liked the animals, the quietness, the golfing. He loved nature," said Mary Voss.

The couple joined the Country Club and both enjoyed golf. They remained social members after Mr. Voss was unable to continue playing.

The couple was married 52 years and have three children, David, Janice and Sharon. David Voss lives in Rancho Murieta with his wife, Debbie, and their sons, Erik and Steven. Janice is married to Scott Moore. They live in Portland, Ore. with their children, Charlie and Megan.

Mr. Voss had a long career in securities and insurance, working for Mutual Benefit Life and Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. Although he received awards and recognition throughout his career, it was the thanks he received from the families of clients who benefited from his financial planning and the help he provided after the loss of a loved one that mattered most to him.

"We have letters from clients thanking us because he helped widows set up budgets. He took them down to Social Security. He just did more than most. He was a very strong, Christian person," said his wife.

Mr. Voss was active in the Lutheran Church and held the positions of church president and deacon at several churches. He also served as president of the Sacramento Association for Mentally Retarded Children.

He was born in Lisbon, N.D. In 1943, he brought his mother and four siblings to California. As the oldest son, he had assumed his father's responsibilities after his father died when he was 12.

During World War II, Mr. Voss served in the Navy in the Pacific fleet on the USS Lindsey, which became known as "the ship that refused to sink" after it survived two kamikaze attacks. The couple hosted one of the crew’s reunions here several years ago.

In addition to his wife and children and grandchildren, Mr. Voss is survived by his brothers, Arnold, who lives in Auburn, and Marvin, who lives in Portland, Ore., and his sister, Charlotte Muldoon of Sacramento. He was preceded in death
by his brother, Larry.

The family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers.