Betty Louise (Rygg) Andre
August 22, 1920 – November 2, 2012

Betty passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and caregivers on Nov. 2, 2012.

Betty Louise Rygg was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was the eldest of two daughters born to Jonas and Gudrun Rygg.

Betty’s parents immigrated to the United States from Norway and she was very proud of her Norwegian heritage.

After graduating high school Betty went to work as a secretary, putting to use her typing and shorthand skills. Betty often said that had she not grown up in the Depression, she would have loved to have attended college to become a kindergarten teacher.

In her later years, Betty’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.

During World War II, Betty enlisted in the W.A.V.E.S., the women’s branch of the U.S. Navy  and was stationed in Alameda, Calif.

Through relatives, Betty met the Andre family of San Francisco where she met her future husband, Arthur Andre, the eldest of the Andre brothers, who was also in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Construction Battalion in the Pacific.  

After a courtship mainly through letters, Betty and Art were married on March 28, 1953, in Chicago, Ill. They made their home in San Francisco, where their three children were born.

In 1957, the family moved to Tiburon, Calif., where they lived until moving to Kelseyville in the summer of 1972.

Soon after moving to Lake County, Betty began working as a secretary for the pastors of Kelseyville Presbyterian and Galilee Lutheran Church for almost 20 years. She enjoyed using her secretarial skills in the service of the Lord. Betty was an active member of Galilee Lutheran Church for 40 years.

Betty lived with Alzheimer’s for more than 10 years. Thanks to the efforts of her family, friends, Hospice and caregivers, Betty was able to remain in her home.  

For several years, Betty attended the Adult Day Care/Respite program at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Clearlake where she enjoyed the companionship and activities, especially music.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Jonas and Gudrun Rygg, and her beloved husband, Arthur Andre.

She is survived by her sister, Marie Kohl, of Downer’s Grove, Ill.; her daughter, Kristine (Steven) Stocker; sons David (Lynn) and Mark (Christie Fricke) Andre; grandchildren: Jennifer (Adam) Kubo, Nicole, Megan, Craig Andre; and step-grandchildren Barbara Stocker Schwenke, Joseph (Joani) Stocker; and step great-grandchildren Drake, Logan Schwenke and Brennan Stocker.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. Immediately following the service, a coffee and cookie reception will be held at the Fellowship Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lake County 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, or Adult Day Care/Respite of Clearlake.

For further information please call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611.