Betsy Ann Johnson
Betsy Ann Gangwer Johnson, 89, a longtime resident of The Dalles, Oregon, died at The Springs on Jan. 13, 2025. Betsy was born Nov. 6, 1935, in Sherwood, Oregon. She was the fourth child and first daughter of Ruth and Everett Gangwer, who had seven children. Originally from Indiana, the family worked their way west and settled in Pine Grove, near Hood River, Oregon. This is where Betsy spent her early years. She participated in 4-H, skied at Cooper Spur, and joined her brothers on the Gangwer baling crew. She attended Pine Grove School and graduated from Wy’east High School in 1953.
Following high school, Betsy went to Oregon State University. While at OSU, she met her future husband, Kenneth Johnson, on a blind date. Betsy continued her education at OHSU School of Nursing. Betsy and Ken were married in June 1955 at the Pine Grove Methodist Church. Betsy and Ken’s first son, Alan, was born in 1957. Betsy graduated with her BS in nursing from OHSU in 1958.
The family then moved to The Dalles, where Ken and his brother Bill farmed the family’s wheat and cattle ranch in the Petersburg District. This was Betsy’s home, living there until early 2024. Betsy wrote of life on the family’s acreage, “The years spent there were an ideal place to raise our family, plus enjoying being a farmer and a farmer’s wife.”
Daughter Judy joined the family in 1959, and second son, Brian in 1962. Betsy and Ken supported the kids in school, 4-H, sports, etc. This would continue in the next generation — Betsy took all five grandkids to Grand Camp for many years. The family attended the United Methodist Church. Betsy’s participation with the church continued throughout her lifetime.
Betsy’s nursing career began in 1959 at The Dalles General Hospital. Her first days on the job involved moving patients from the hospital’s location on Fourth Street to the new hospital on the hill. She worked as a post-surgery nurse for 35 years, until 1993, usually working the evening shift (as she put it, “when the doctors were out of the way”).
Betsy cared for Ken through several years of cancer. Ken passed away in 1990 after 35 years of marriage.
In 1994, Betsy married Jerry Tanquist. They continued to live on the family farm until moving to The Springs this past year.
Betsy traveled to every corner of the U.S. and globe. She and Ken traveled to parts of Europe and Australia. Once Betsy retired, she and Jerry continued traveling, including a trip around the world in 1996.
Throughout her life, Betsy has been curious and interested in many things. She was an active person. She enjoyed knitting, baking, house improvements, and gardening. Hiking, backpacking, golfing, running “the flat,” and climbing the hills of home kept her fit. She was known for her dry sense of humor and strong work ethic. She always got the job done.
Betsy was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth Johnson, and siblings Jack Gangwer, Fritz Gangwer, and Linda Walters.
Betsy is survived and missed by her second husband, Jerry Tanquist; her children, AJ (Kim) Johnson of Bend, Oregon, and their son Kendal (Kim); Judy (Joe) Powell of The Dalles, and their sons Jacob (McKenna) and Jonah (Aimee); Brian (Christy) Johnson of Vancouver, Washington, and his daughters Kelsey (Jon) and Laurie, and their son Liam; her four great-grandchildren; and her siblings Gene Gangwer, David Gangwer, and Karen Harrington.
The family is grateful for the amazing care of Bristol Hospice, The Springs, The Dalles Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Ms. Nicole Pashek, ARNP, throughout Betsy’s health challenges this past year.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church in The Dalles on Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. The service will be live streamed via Zoom at greaternw.zoom.us/j/725114495; Meeting ID: 725 114 495.
Arrangements are with Spencer Libby and Powell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: Wasco County 4-H Association, 400 E Scenic Drive, Suite 2.278, The Dalles, OR 97058; 541-296-5494. Or: Bristol Hospice Foundation at bristolfoundation.org.