Jean Betty Anderson

Jean Betty Anderson, 95, of Fargo, ND, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND.

Jean Betty was born February 10, 1918 to H.C. and Claire Aamoth in Valley City, North Dakota. At the age of two the family moved to Fargo where she lived the rest of her life. She received her college degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin at Madison after spending her first two years at the University of North Dakota. Her lifelong dream was to become a clothing designer, but that was not to be as Wisconsin did not offer that major. She was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. After college, Jean Betty was offered a fellowship at the University of Washington, but she declined to return home and marry.

Jean Betty married Frederick S. Anderson on February 1st, 1941.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred; her parents; her brother, Gordon Aamoth; and a great-grandson, Jeffrey Tyler Wilson.

She is survived by her children, Richard (Patty), Fargo; Gail (Hans) Tronnes, Minneapolis, MN; David (Ann), Fargo; grandchildren, Rachel (Jamie) Olson; Sean (Bridget) Anderson; Suzanne (Dominic) Knauf; Brooke(Jeff) Wilson; Dustin Anderson; Seth Anderson; and Scott Anderson; and six great-grandchildren, Isabella Olson; Adeline and Brooks Knauf; Cody; Rylee; and Will Wilson; nephews, Gordon Aamoth; Bruce Aamoth; Archie Aamoth; and niece, Jane (Aamoth ) Swanson.

Jean Betty led an active, fulfilling and productive life. At Fargo Central High School she was an honor student, Most Representative Girl, state tennis champion, horse woman and Peony Queen. She played tennis well into her 70s. In college she was a homecoming queen attendant, honor student and an active student leader. As an adult she was active in Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral having served as a vestry member, on the altar guild, as the editor of the church cookbook and with the Stephen Ministry. She also worked on many successful church bazaars. In the community she participated in Reach for Recovery, Meals on Wheels, PEO, Drama Club, was the advisor to the Alpha Phi sorority at Moorhead State College as well as serving on many other civic volunteer organizations. Jean Betty worked out at the health club until her early 90s. Mom was a talented seamstress who spent many happy hours sewing. Bridge was her favorite pastime and social activity. Jean Betty treasured the friendships…young and old … that she made at the bridge table and on the tennis courts. But her greatest joy came from the time she spent with her family.

She moved to Waterford in 2009 where she continued to make new friends and enjoy her old friends.

From her very first years, summers were spent on Lake Sallie, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. As a young girl their cabin was on the north shore of Sallie. In 1936 her father, H.C. Aamoth, went on to build cabins side by side for Jean Betty and her brother Gordon. She and her family have wonderful memories of those idyllic summers where all nine cousins build lifelong friendships.
Jean Betty possessed that Aamoth quality of perseverance and it served her well. As a caretaker she took care of her parents, her mother-in-law, and her husband and nursed all three of her children through major illnesses. While she was quick to say what was on her mind, she had a sense of humor that let you know she didn’t take things too seriously.

Most importantly, she was a mother and role model extraordinaire whom her kids felt blessed to call their mom.

Memorial gifts may be made to Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, 3600 25th Street South, Fargo, North Dakota, 58104 or the charity of your choice.

Jean Betty was often seen in pink, her favorite color.

Jean Betty's video tribute can be viewed at http://www.philpetersonproductions.com/hr-memorials.htm