Betty Lou (Magera) Andrews, 100

Betty Lou (Magera) Andrews, 100, passed away Nov. 19, 2024, in Kalispell. She was born March 10, 1924, in Hot Springs. The youngest of 11 children. Hers was a premature birth. Two of her sisters disagreed on her weight, but it was around 4 pounds. Her mother passed away when she was four years old and she was raised by her sister, Staffia and her husband on a homestead near Hot Springs. She attended elementary school in Hot Springs and high school in Miles City. She then left home for Las Vegas where she worked as a carhop. She then went to California to live with her sister, Marie, where they both worked at an ammunition factory for the wartime effort. It was there she reunited with a boyfriend from Lonepine, Montana who was in the Navy, Aviation Machinist Mate First Class, Steven Andrews. They were married on New Year's Eve 1943. After the war they moved back to Lonepine where they bought a small farm and started a family. The farm grew into a working ranch where she did it all: worked cattle, irrigated, hayed, and raised a large garden while cooking, sewing, and canning. 

Mom was known for her ability to whip up a delicious meal at a moment's notice. Friends and family could drop in and never go away hungry. She loved making desserts. Her banana bread and apple squares were known far and wide. She was a storyteller. One of her favorites was a wild horse tale. Brothers Ed "Fuzzy" and Johnny caught and broke wild horses for sale. When the horses were almost ready Ed would say, "Oh hell, Betty can ride that one." Mom recalled being bucked off several times in the round pen despite the horses being "almost" ready. 

Grandma Betty loved to play board games and cards with anyone but especially grandchildren. Dirty marbles, rummy cube and Chinese checkers. She also liked rummy, pinochle and hearts. She and Steven square danced and attended many community dances at Nirada, Lonepine, Garcon Gulch and Camas Prairie. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Steven; father, John Magera; mother, Apolonia Magera; brothers, August, Joe, Ed, Johnny and Frank; and sisters, Frances, Staffia, Ann, Della and Marie. 

She is survived by sons, Steven A. Jr., (Donna) and Randall (Crystal); grandchildren, Chris, Tom, Lora, Angie and Jessie; 10 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A potluck celebration of life will be held at the Lonepine Community Center on May 24, 2025.