Andregg 60th

ANDREGG 60th

Karen Cox from Cove, Ore., and Gary Andregg from Eagle, Idaho, met at Gem State Academy in Caldwell, Idaho. On March 9, 1957, they said "I do" and began their married life in Boise, Idaho, farming, ranching, logging and working in the potato fields. Later that same year, they moved to Walla Walla, Wash., where they both continued their educations — Karen in cosmetology and Gary in nursing — while living in a 27-foot mobile home.

The Andreggs then moved to Portland, Ore., where Gary completed his clinical rotations. During their two years in Oregon, their first two children, Bruce and Donivan, were born.

Returning to Walla Walla, Gary graduated from Walla Walla College in 1961, and then they relocated to Spokane, Wash. Gary worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in the critical care unit, while Karen took in ironing and did child care to make ends meet.

Gary completed his anesthesia training in 1963, and the family headed to Aberdeen, Wash. For eight years, Gary worked at Grays Harbor Community Hospital, where their first daughter, Lynda, was born. While living in Aberdeen, they purchased their first home that did not have wheels, on 5 acres with horses, chickens and room to roam. Their second daughter, Michelle, was added to the family in 1968.

Leaving the rainy west coast of Washington, the family moved to the arid region of Lewiston, Idaho. Gary accepted a job at St. Joseph Hospital, and Karen took care of the family and provided babysitting. In 1974, they all moved farther east, to the "Hi-Line" of northern Montana, where they lived in Shelby.

Gary provided anesthesia services in five small hospitals, seemingly always on call. He enjoyed utilizing his Bonanza airplane to "commute" as much as possible by flying. They moved to Browning, Mont., in 1990 and lived on the edge of Glacier National Park, where Gary worked at Blackfeet Community Hospital for five years.

From 1995 to 2004, Karen and Gary lived in Hope, Idaho, where Gary worked for Bonner County General Hospital. They designed and constructed their dream log home on a hillside overlooking the beautiful Lake Pend Oreille, where all manner of wildlife would pass by, including bear, deer and moose. This home also was the gathering place for all of the six grandchildren, for visits, sleepovers and celebrations.

As their children left home, Karen and Gary became more involved with a variety of organizations. They traveled to China and Russia as part of a medical team, conducting health talks and observing teaching hospitals. Christian Motorcycle Association has been a large part of their lives for many years. They've motorcycled to Alaska and many places in the Lower 48.

Since 2009 Karen and Gary have lived in the Spokane Valley, near Mica, Wash. Once again living on a hillside, they now enjoy retirement, tending flowers, watching the deer and quail, and visiting with family and friends. Their 60th anniversary celebration was on March 11, 2017. All four of their children, their children's spouses, six grandchildren, other family and many friends attended.

The Andregg family includes Bruce and Carole Andregg of Spokane, Wash.; Donivan and Wendi Andregg of Dillingham, Alaska; Lynda Fulbright of Spokane, Wash.; Michelle and Karl Andregg of Federal Way, Wash.; and 6 grandchildren: Jessica, Karlin, Alexi, Grayson, Megan and Elliott.