Bessie Jane Andersen

Bessie Jane (Patterson) Andersen of Fountain Inn, SC, formerly of Sycamore, IL, passed quietly into the arms of her Savior on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Bessie was born to Ralph and Bernice (Quigley) Patterson at DeKalb Hospital, DeKalb, IL, on September 28, 1942. She was the second child born to the family after Robert. Her younger brother, James, and sister, Lydia, would follow.

A 1960 graduate of Hiawatha High School in Kirkland, IL, Bess was a lifelong resident of DeKalb County. Bess married Kenneth Andersen of Burlington, IL, on May 2, 1964, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Genoa, IL. She carried a bouquet of yellow roses and was accompanied by her best friend, Helen (Dugan) Davis, and her sister, Lydia (Patterson) Johnson.

Bess and Ken moved into an apartment in Hampshire, then Sycamore, before purchasing a home in Virgil, IL, and returning to Sycamore to settle in 1976. They created a loving home for their five children: Nick, Matt, Sara, Jennifer, and Martha. All of the children attended St. Mary’s School in Sycamore, where Bess served as the school secretary for many years before working as a lay minister for the church.

Bess was instrumental in the growth of St. Mary’s Church and School. She was part of the inaugural planning committee for the annual auction and rummage sale. Her brother Jim was asked to run the auction through his service. These events allowed the diocese to keep the school open, and it became the school’s largest fundraiser for many years.

As a lay minister, Bess helped many families at the beginning and end of their earthly lives. She worked with countless couples in preparation for marriage and their children’s baptisms. Bess initiated monthly senior luncheons that offered fellowship and a satisfying meal. She also helped many parishioners through their grieving by providing compassionate funeral planning.

Bess influenced her community as a volunteer. She helped the homeless by participating in the PADS initiative, which evolved into Hope Haven. Hope Haven continues to serve the homeless in DeKalb, IL. She helped hospice patients, expectant mothers, foster children, delivered Meals on Wheels, led Bible studies, and facilitated many women’s retreats.

In more recent years, Bess joined the School Sisters of St Francis as a lay associate. She helped coordinate and participated in the mission trip to Mississippi.

In December 2019, she and Ken escaped the cold winters by moving to Fountain Inn, South Carolina.

Of all these wonderful activities and accomplishments, her greatest joy was her family and large community of friends.

She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth, her five children: Nicholas (Michelle) Andersen, Sycamore, IL; Mathew (Julie) Andersen, Rochelle, IL; Sara (Andersen) Burchard, Simpsonville, SC; Jennifer (Craig) Andersen Smith, Marietta, GA; and Martha (Terry) Carlson, Simpsonville, SC. Her beloved grandchildren are Kristina Crabtree, Sycamore, IL; Samantha (Steven) Blake, Kirkland, IL; Joseph Thompson, Somerville, MA; Marisa Thompson, DeKalb, IL; Andrew Thompson, Sycamore, IL; Kyle James, Cortland, IL; Alex Burchard, Sycamore, IL; Jacob (Jasmine) Williams, Canton, GA; Bethany (Zachary) Bailey, Woodstock, GA; Reba (Brock) Van Faussien, Perry, GA; Jack (Raina) Williams, Woodstock, GA; Benjamin, Everett and Henry Carlson, Simpsonville, SC. Bess loved and enjoyed her step-grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and many foster children.

Bess is also survived by her sister Lydia (Steven) Johnson, Davis IL; a brother-in-law, James Andersen, Clinton, MO; a sister-in-law, Joyce (Michael) Dunlap, Burlington, IL, countless nephews and nieces; a step-brother, Stanley Herrmann, Belvidere, IL; a step-sister, Donna (Herrmann) Zoellner, St. Charles, IL, and a step sister-in-law, Carol Conro, Hampshire, IL. She also leaves behind 42 first cousins-in-law and innumerable close, loving friends.

Bess was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Robert and James; sisters-in-law, Karen Andersen, Hazel Andersen, and Roxie Patterson; and nephews, Roy Patterson, Daniel Johnson, Kevin Andersen, and Michael Andersen.

The family is encouraging donations to establish a memorial fund with the School Sisters of St. Francis and a scholarship fund for St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sycamore, IL. Please send donations addressed to the family at 19 Meadowrise Lane, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

A Memorial Mass will be held on July 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 2252 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC, 29681. The Family will start receiving guests at 1:15 pm in the church narthex.

A Funeral Mass will be held on July 26, 2025, at 11:00 am at The Church of St. Mary, 322 Waterman Street, Sycamore, IL 60178. A luncheon will be held at the Parish Activity Center immediately after the funeral mass. Please join the family to share stories of Bessie.

Interment will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Sycamore, IL.