Betty Virgene Ruffcorn Anderson, age 90 of Mondamin, died July 31, 2024, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Blair, Neb., with family present. Betty was born Jan. 29, 1934, at her grandparents’ farm three miles north of Mondamin, to Paul and Florence (Cook) Ruffcorn. She graduated from Mondamin Consolidated School in 1951, where she participated in many activities such as singing solos and in sextet, acting in plays, declamatory speeches and basketball cheerleading in high school. Betty graduated from Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, Sioux City, in 1954, and worked in her profession until retiring in 1996. Betty was one of the first registered nurses to work at the Missouri Valley Community Hospital when it opened in 1958.
She and Arlyn Anderson were married in The Methodist Church on March 27, 1955. The couple lived in the Mondamin area where they raised their three children. The family was members of The United Methodist Church where Betty taught Sunday School and Confirmation classes, served as member of church board and worked with women serving all activities. She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary. Betty became a hypnotherapist and worked for several years with her friend in Omaha helping people. She was fortunate in the last six years of her nursing career to be West Harrison’s school nurse. These were very enjoyable years as she, her children, and grandchildren are graduates of this school, and these were the years when the new school opened. She enjoyed working with the Mondamin and West Harrison Alumni committee having a banquet every two years.
Betty’s love for the lord and her family were special to her. She had many friends and hobbies, loved playing the piano and organ, roller skating, dancing, swimming, water skiing in her younger days, going on trips, to movies and playing cards all during her life. Betty especially enjoyed the time spent with her three high school friends, “The Golden Girls” Bonnie, Nancy and Kathrine. Their 16th birthday slumber party started their celebrations lasting a lifetime.
Betty is preceded in death by her husband Arlyn; her parents; three sisters; four nieces; and six brothers-in-laws.
She will be forever remembered by her daughter, Michele (Tyson) Kuehn of Mondamin; sons, Marlyn (Roberta) Anderson of Mondamin, Maurice Anderson; sister, Phyllis (Denis) Tangen of PA; four grandchildren, Trista (Ben) Siebrecht of Boyden, Ryan (Amy) Stolz of Mondamin, Jason (Brandy) Mace of Missouri Valley, Colton (Staci) Anderson of Magnolia; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.
Visitation will be 4-7p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at Hennessey Funeral Home in Missouri Valley. Funeral service will follow at 7p.m.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences at hennesseyaman@aol.com.
