Betty R. Wandke

Betty Ruth Wandke, age 92, passed away on April 30, 2022. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 21st at 10:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1226 1st Ave. N.  Great Falls.

Betty was born on June 30, 1929, to Augustina (Rautenberg) and Ernst Johann Spatzierath in Neuruppin, Brandenburg, Germany. At the age of 2 1/2, Betty came to America with her mother, 2 brothers and a sister, to rejoin her dad and older brother who had immigrated a few years earlier.
 

Betty and her family lived in Wisconsin for a short time, later moving to Central Montana where she attended school and graduated from Broadwater County High School, Townsend, MT in 1947.
 

After graduation, Betty moved to Great Falls where she met Bruce Wandke & the two wed in June 1949. Working at various jobs in offices & sales, Betty was also an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school for several years and served in various positions, including District LWML Treasurer. Betty enjoyed staying active with bowling, fishing, Lamplighters, volunteering at the Great Falls Visitor’s Center and at Benefis Hospital and loving on her grandchildren & great grandchildren.

Survivors include daughter Gloria Spangelo, son John (Michele) Wandke, daughter Jane (Steve) Green & daughter-in-law Tonya Wandke, all of Great Falls, MT; 7 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren & friend/fellow adventurer, Bill Reese. Betty was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Bruce Wandke, 3 brothers, her sister, grandson Tyler Spangelo, son-in-law Greg Spangelo and son James Wandke.

The family would like to thank the many angels of Eastview Care Facility for the many months of care and love they gave our beloved mother.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.croxfordfuneralhome.com

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