Obituary of Beth Andersson

Beth Andersson passed away peacefully with family by her side on October 4, 2013 in Eugene. She was born Alice Beth Hatton on December 3, 1913 in Portland, Oregon. Beth lived a good life for 99 years, 10 months and 1 day. A second generation Oregonian, her grandfather Mark Hattan arrived in Oregon at what is now known as Carver, on the Clackamas River, after crossing the Oregon trail in 1846. Beth, or “Granny” to many, was raised in Portland, but spent time in the gold fields of Alaska as a very young girl with her family. She began teaching elementary school at the age of 18. She met her husband, Sig Andersson, while teaching at Langlois on the southern Oregon coast, and they were married in 1939. Sig was an emmigrant from Sweden who was a contractor in the Coos Bay area for many years. In 1943, Sig built Beth and their two sons a beautiful house on Simpson Heights in North Bend with a cherished view of the shipping channel. Sig and Beth were known to host a great party on many occasions. Beth lived in Bay area until 1995 when she moved to Eugene to live with her granddaughter Cory. Beth was proud of her Pioneer heritage, and of her strong connection to Sweden by marriage. She always was careful when she said her last name to make sure you knew it was Andersson, “s-s-o-n.” After retirement from Blossom Gulch Elementary School in Coos Bay in 1981, Beth volunteered at the North Bend Public Library, and for many years at the Coos Bay Historical museum.Beth loved camping with her family, and traveling. In 1963 she drove to the Alaska Highway with her daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren (Bob and Cathy) and a camper. When she was 86 she did it again with her brother Jim and his wife Maxine. After Sig died in 1981 she traveled to England, Ireland, Russia and Israel. For her 80th birthday she went to see the Boston Pops, something she always wanted to do. Beth’s real passion, however, did not involve traveling. She loved reading, keeping up on the news of the day, and watching the seasons pass. She kept close track of the weather and always made sure to notice the full moon - she knew every one by name. She watched the backyard birds and squirrels and enjoyed every new flower that came into bloom. She enjoyed talking with friends and family, and, everyone, especially her grandchildren, always looked forward to going to visit Granny, where they knew there would be lots of love, fun, laughter and treats. Yes, Granny was an unabashed food pusher!Beth was a strong woman who took life as it came, lumps and all. She never expressed any regrets, and she always looked forward to the next day. She was a reliable and loved constant in our lives who will be missed. It’s hard to believe she’s gone.Beth is predeceased by her husband Sigurd Andersson, her sons James and John (“Jack”) Andersson, her brother Ted Hattan, her great-grandson Aron Andersson, and her great-granddaughter Eliza Jacobs. She is survived by her brother Jim Hattan (age 96!), her grandchildren Bob, Cathy and Eric Andersson, and Cory Andersson Jacobs, her great-grandchildren John, Katie and Sig Andersson, her great-great-grandchildren Kayden and Peyton, her nephews and nieces, and a very special grandniece, Alice Hattan, and many other dear friends and extended family.An open house celebration is planned by her family to mark her 100th birthday on November 23rd from 2-6 pm in Eugene. Donations in Beth’s honor may be made to Coos Bay Historical Museum, 1220 Sherman Ave., North Bend, Oregon, 97459.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com