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Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift

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Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift

Birth	:	16 Jan 1920 Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
Death	:	5 Jul 2019 Woodinville, King County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.8195839, -85.8049088
Description	:	Betty Vandegrift, aka Clara Elizabeth (Gongwer) Vandegrift, passed away, at home, in Woodinville, Washington, surrounded by her family, on July 5, 2019. Betty was born to Ralph Elton Gongwer and Catherine Allston (Livingston) Gongwer, on January 16, 1920 in Billings, Montana. At two years old, Betty and her parents went, by Model T Ford, from a government experimental farm in Idaho to run the family farm in Wabash, Indiana. Her only memory of that trip was that her father drained the radiator every evening after they stopped for the night, to cook poached eggs for their dinner. Betty graduated... Read More	Betty Vandegrift, aka Clara Elizabeth (Gongwer) Vandegrift, passed away, at home, in Woodinville, Washington, surrounded by her family, on July 5, 2019. Betty was born to Ralph Elton Gongwer and Catherine Allston (Livingston) Gongwer, on January 16, 1920 in Billings, Montana. At two years old, Betty and her parents went, by Model T Ford, from a government experimental farm in Idaho to run the family farm in Wabash, Indiana. Her only memory of that trip was that her father drained the radiator every evening after they stopped for the night, to cook poached eggs for their dinner. Betty graduated from Lagro High School in 1938, and graduated from Manchester College (now University), with her teaching degree in biology as well as in English and American Literature. She taught biology at Chester High School until the principal told her they were reassigning her to teach English and American Literature because her students were bringing too many snakes, reptiles and rodents into school for biology experiments! Betty taught high school English and American Literature for thirty years, mostly at Wabash High School. She was a beloved teacher to many, as well as a trusted friend to young people, and even a second mother to some. On August 5, 1950, in North Manchester, Indiana, she married J. Ward Vandegrift and he died October 28, 1981 Betty traveled widely in Europe and the United States. She loved classical music and all of the arts. She was an avid reader of the Bible, historical novels, mysteries, Louis Lamour, Harry Potter, and, of course, all the classics. She enjoyed museums, paintings, sculpture, architecture and traveling, but most of all, she loved people. She had friends of every age and stage of life; she was always interested in a child's latest discovery, the plans of a young person going to college or service or work, and the thoughts, hopes and dreams of friends and family members of all ages. She loved to think and exchange ideas and learn new things. She had a fabulous sense of humor and loved reading the New York Times and working the crossword puzzle every day. Betty had a great passion for the simple things in life, a deep and searching belief in God, a strong and resilient faith and a deep love for her family, students and friends. Betty was also predeceased by her parents, and her eldest child, Catherine Lee, 1997. She is survived by three children: Deborah Kay Vandegrift (Roberta Hjort), and Elizabeth Ann Vandegrift, both of Woodinville, and David Vandegrift (Stephen DeBruhl), of Kirkland, Washington. Also surviving are several beloved nieces and nephews and their families.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift's memorial?
Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift's memorial is located at: Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash, Wabash County, USA.
When did Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift death?
Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift death on 5 Jul 2019 in Woodinville, King County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Clara Elizabeth “Betty” Gongwer Vandegrift's memorial?
Latitude: 40.8195839
Longitude: -85.8049088

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

James Ward Vandegrift

(1918 - 1981)

Siblings

Children

Catherine Lee Vandegrift

(1951 - 1997)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Memorial Lawns Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8195839, -85.8049088

2. County Farm Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8263016, -85.7991028

3. Falls Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8040466, -85.8318863

4. Renicker Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8325005, -85.7755966

5. Rodef Sholem Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7989006, -85.8419037

6. Matlock Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7803001, -85.7925034

7. Foster Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8695900, -85.7710200

8. Friends Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7806015, -85.8613968

9. Old Lagro Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8404500, -85.7288100

10. Wallace Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8097000, -85.8850021

11. Lagro IOOF Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8410460, -85.7258730

12. Freeze Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8186493, -85.7171021

13. Half Acre Cemetery
Urbana, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8852425, -85.8312454

14. Saint Patrick Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8431015, -85.7193985

15. Saint Peters Cemetery
Urbana, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8905487, -85.7895966

16. Whites Institute Cemetery
Treaty, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7448290, -85.7797690

17. Speicher Cemetery
Urbana, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8988991, -85.7613983

18. Brooks Cemetery
Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7927017, -85.9169998

19. Murphy Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7388992, -85.8574982

20. Lutheran Cemetery
Pioneer, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7383232, -85.8576202

21. Richvalley Cemetery
Noble Township, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7924500, -85.9201100

22. Huff Cemetery
Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8586006, -85.9188995

23. Hopewell Cemetery
Lagro, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8703000, -85.6990000

24. Powell Cemetery
Wabash, Wabash County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7562500, -85.9032800