Betty Maxine Fandrich, age 77, of Miles City passed away peacefully on July 22, 2015 with family by her side.
Betty was born on December 26, 1937 as the youngest of four siblings and only daughter to Carl Sr. and Sara Wohlgenant. She was raised on the family homestead at Kinsey where she attended grade school. She loved growing up on the ranch where she could care and play with all the animals, especially the turkeys.
Betty was very friendly and popular at Custer County High School where she attended 9th – 12th grades. She was very active as a cheerleader, freshman class secretary, order of Gregg Artists, Future Homemakers of America, Branding Iron business staff, junior class play, chorus, 4H and Go Western Day queen candidate. Betty graduated from high school in the spring of 1956.
After high school she worked for the VA as a dental assistant. It was during this time that she met Norman Fandrich and fell in love. Norm and Betty were married January 24, 1959 and moved to Texas where Norm worked on a seismograph crew. After a few months they both decided they missed their hometown and returned to Miles City.
After returning to Miles City, Betty gave birth to their first child Gregg Alan in March of 1960. A couple of years later they began building their family home on the corner of Tompy and Cottage Grove Avenue in Miles City. While building the house the family welcomed their second son Kent Nathan in October of 1963. A few months later the house was completed and they moved in as a family where they resided for over 50 years.
Betty was an avid seamstress and enjoyed working with wool. She used these skills to make Barbie doll and G.I. Joe clothes for all the neighborhood kids. She also taught herself to crochet and she spent free time crocheting afghan’s for family and friends. Betty worked a couple of odd jobs while the boys were young. She worked at JC Penney’s for a few years where Kent fondly remembers walking from Washington School to meet her at Woolworth’s for lunch at the counter.
She later took a position as a teacher’s aide at the Washington Middle School. She loved working with the students and adored them all. She loved running into them at the store or the Airport Inn and catching up on her student’s lives. She retired in the fall of 1997 for health reasons.
Throughout the years the family enjoyed vacations to Texas, Quake Lake, a visit to see Gregg and his family in Nevada and of course summers at Georgetown Lake. They enjoyed camping with friends and family. The family spent many summers at Georgetown Lake where they built a cabin with Betty’s brother Carl Jr. and his wife Bunny. They enjoyed boating and fishing at the lake as a family.
After Norm retired he and Betty took several small trips to North Dakota and all over Montana including a trip on the train at Lewistown. They enjoyed taking their small getaways and visiting their siblings across the state.
Betty enjoyed having her family near her. She watched her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow throughout the years. She treasured their visits and time spent with them. She loved receiving and sharing pictures of her grandkids and kept them close by always.
Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was loved by many near and far. She was famous for saying “I love you, I love you” every time she parted with family. She loved her quiet life with her husband and family and truly cherished her hometown of Miles City and the Kinsey area.
Betty is survived by her husband of 56 years, Norman Fandrich, her two son’s Gregg of Miles City, MT and Kent (Marci) of Clinton, MO; two brothers, Richard (Joan) Wohlgenant of Denver, CO and Carl Jr. (Bunny) Wohlgenant of Phoenix AZ; six grandchildren, Derrick Fandrich of Seattle, WA, Ashley Fandrich (Shane Correll) of Conyers, GA, Nick Fandrich (Kimberly Haines) of Kent, WA, Nathan, Noah, and Nickolas Fandrich of Clinton, MO; and three great grandchildren, Alexa and Caroline of Conyers, GA and Alexander of Kent, WA.
The family would like to thank Friendship Villa, Holy Rosary Hospital, Holy Rosary Hospice and Palliative Care, the Custer County Health Care system, and all the family and friends that helped care for and visited her the last few years.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Miles City Public Library or to Holy Rosary Hospice and Palliative Care.
“I know….I know.”
A visitation will be held at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson and Son’s Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Should friends desire condolences can be made to the family by visiting stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment
following funeral service
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday July 28, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment
following funeral service
Wednesday July 29, 2015
Eastern Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Miles City, MT 59301
Share
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Loved this beautiful lady. When ever I hear anyone say “I know”, I think of Betty. When I would tell her I loved her, that was always her response.
Fred & Barb South says
So sorry for your loss.
margo hellickdon says
so sorry for your loss. as a former care giver it made my day to get a hug from Betty and have her say I love you. she was always smiles , hugs and love.
Jennifer Umland says
Heartfelt condolences! So sorry for your loss.
Keith & Barb Hoover says
kent and Marci,
I am so sorry to hear about Betty She was a wonderful lady
Hugs
Destiny Carlson says
Thoughts and prayers…Mrs. Fandrich was Mrs. Scheurings aide when I was in Jr high…she was one of my favorite people since that time…God speed his love…
destiny
Michael Kelly says
Sorry for your loss!
Cheryl Tonn says
Such a love. We all will think of her when we hear “I know I know “. She couldn’t get everything out but the love in her eyes said it all and I smile as I say the opposite too ….those eyes could have the daggers look and no doubt about how she was feeling about ” that” moment . She was blessed with a peaceful passing that I thanked God for answering my and all of our prayers for . I will miss her everyday.
Stan & Sharon Clelland says
So sorry about your families loss. I grew up with Betty at Kinsey and we had to ride the bus to Miles CitY to go to high school. She was a beautiful seamstress and made lots of her clothes when she was in school.. condolences go out to Norman and their children. God’s Blessings to all of you.
John Scheuering says
Betty was a kind and thoughtful person. Paula thought so much of her. So sorry for your loss.
Fern Griggs says
Thinking of Betty’s family and your loss. What a sweet cute Kinsey girl she was!
Fern Carey Griggs
Marvin Nelson says
Sorry to hear about Betty.
Lisa Bastian says
Kent & Marci,
Know that You & Your Family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your Mother was a sweet sweet woman with a smile that warmed ones heart.
Pam Bovee says
Kent, so sorry to hear about your Moms passing. You and the family are in my thoughts.
Teal Dobie says
Betty will be truly missed. She could make you laugh and cry all with one look or saying. She was a joy to care for and could easily make my day with that giant smile and the simple words, “I know, I love you” rest in paradise sweet Betty!
Shelley Killen says
Kent, Gregg and Families, So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.
Grant Mosby says
A very nice lady will be missed.
Sean Donnelly says
Dear Kent and all your family,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Somehow in all those times I used to hang out with you and Conan, I never met your mom – probably because we were always at the house you guys rented together, or at my parents’ house, or at the Ft. Howes pig roast, or the Centra, or… you get the picture. I’m very sorry I never did get to meet her, though, as she was obviously a wonderful woman, as seen by the outpouring of love and respect shared in this memory book. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time, and may God bless you all.
All the Gookin Girls says
Kent, Gregg and Families, From our family to yours our hearts are with you as you move forward through this sad time. Your Mom was always a lively, lovely woman to us. Love and Prayers, Kathleen Ford, Liz Belcourt and Mary Comstock
Cathy (Hall) Emerson says
Norman, Gregg and Kent:
It is with fondness that I will remember Betty. Her and Norm used to come to the Airport Inn while I worked there and we reminisced about the good ole”days. My condolences to you all. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Cathy
Jacki Fayram (Balsam, Oe) says
It has been many years, but I remember her kindness, a special lady.
My deepest sympathy. Jacki
Sherryl Greenig says
May you rest in peace Aunt Betty. I’ll never forget the summer in 1958 when she and my uncle “Normie” were just dating. Of course many other memories since then. To Kent and Greg, I am sorry for the loss of your mom.
Betty Carter O'Brien says
So sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was quite a gal and remember spending a night with her – I was so shocked to know we had to gather up the turkey at night – they didn’t know enough to come home to roost. She was a very sharing and caring person. God rest her and peace be with each you.
Randall & Ginger Carey says
Betty was a neat gal, what a loss.
Bob Hall says
Just found out of Betty’s passing today, so sorry for your loss. I’m glad that we were able to visit with her on our last visit to Montana.