Nancy Andersen

Born and raised in the Central Valley, Nancy Irene Andersen passed away Sept. 7 after a long illness. The daughter of Danish immigrants, she enjoyed her rural childhood and graduated as valedictorian from Kingsburg High School in 1947.

Nancy headed north to attend San Jose State College. There she met Andy Andersen, who coincidentally shared her last name. They married over Thanksgiving break in 1950, graduated the following spring, and settled in Santa Clara to raise a family. Together with their Terry and Eric, they enjoyed two cross-country road trips and summer vacations at the family cabin in the Sierra.

With a good head for numbers and never one to sit still. Nancy ran Andy’s construction company from home and later worked for the San Jose Earthquakes and Gill Cable. An inveterate reader and crossword puzzle solver, she enjoyed history classes, tennis, and swimming. In retirement, Nancy and Andy traveled extensively and spent many happy years hiking weekly with friends.

Nancy is survived by daughter Terry Watts (Paul), grandchildren Tim & Carolyn (Sam); son Eric Andersen (Lu), grandchildren Sarah, Diana & Jason (Sara), great-grandsons Nathan & Matthew; and sister Ellen Schuler, nieces Catherine (Tom) & Elizabeth, and nephew George.

A memorial celebration for Nancy will be held on Sunday, Nov. 18. Please contact the family for details.