Betty Lou Tygart

Betty Louise Tygart, 87, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2018, in Astoria, Oregon. Betty was born in Medford, Oregon, on July 12, 1930, to Mollie B. and Horace Geppert.

In 1947, at the age of 17, Betty married the love of her life, Hank Tygart. They raised their two children in Butte Falls, Oregon, at the Butte Falls Fish Hatchery. In 1965, the family moved to Gnat Creek Fish Hatchery in Knappa, Oregon, where Betty made many lifelong friends throughout the years.

She worked at Ocean Foods cannery for 30-plus years until she retired in her early 60s. Betty had a real love for flowers, and her family and friends always enjoyed her overflowing flower beds. Her hobbies also included sewing, knitting and crocheting.

After losing her husband in 1992, she met Gerry Gerritz. They spent 25 years together, wintering many years in Yuma, Arizona. Betty devoted 12 years caring for Gerry at Clatsop Care before his passing in 2016.

Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Connie (Engblom) Tygart; daughter, Sherry Rusinovich; grandchildren, Jeff Tygart, Michaela (Tygart) Raner and Nicole (Rusinovich) Storck and her husband, Ivan; and great-grandchildren, Austin Tygart, Mackenzie, Jackson and Mitchell Raner, and Ian and London Storck. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Judy Tygart, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Hank Tygart; son-in-law, Nick Rusinovich Jr.; and grandson, Dominic Rusinovich.

The family would sincerely like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Croos and their daughters, Mary and Merino, for the wonderful care they gave to Betty.

At Betty’s request, there will be no funeral. A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Safe Crossings Foundation, 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1322, Seattle, WA 98101; or Disabled American Veterans, Veterans Affairs Regional Office, 100 S.W. Main St., Second Floor, Room 258E, Portland, OR 97204-2998.

Rest in peace Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. You will forever be loved and missed.