Louis Bettencourt passed away comfortably at home on Jan. 10, 2022, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.  Louie, by all who new him, was born in Sunnyvale, California to John and Rose Bettencourt.  He grew up on his Dad's dairy farm in Sunnyvale with his seven brothers, and one sister.  He worked on the family dairy farm, starting at a young age, until he was called into the U.S. Army, and served time in Washington, and Korea.

After two years of Military service, Louie returned to Sunnyvale, and married his wife, Mary Escobar, on September 14,1958.  They purchased the current ranch in Gilroy, CA in moved to it 1966.  It is there, that they built the family home, where he resided until his passing.  Louie & Mary raised their 3 daughters at this loving home. His daughters and their husbands; Linda & Mike Ward, Laurie & Timothy Souchek, and Lisa & Gary Anderson all loved him and will deeply miss him. Louie is also survived by several grandchildren and their husbands; Melissa & Willi Ortner, and their daughter, Tawni, Kristi & Justin Greco, Amanda & Andrew Wheeler, Matthew Souchek, Jessica & Daniel Bjerre, Jordan Anderson, and Zac Anderson. Louie loved his family most of all, and enjoyed himself the most when his family was all together in his home.

Besides running a large dairy farm, Louie also grew corn, alfalfa and most recently oat hay on the ranch.  He was very involved in Linda and Laurie's 4-H events while they were growing up, as well as Lisa's basketball games.  He never missed an event or game. In later years, he could be found cheering on his grandchildren at 4-H and sporting events.  Louie was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, Godfather, and friend to all.  All those he met, quickly learned to love his kind heart and witty but gentle personality.  Everyone who met him knew he was a special person.

Louie's brothers proceeded him in death; John, Joe, Tony, Frank, Manuel, Edward, and Filbert, all of California.  He is survived by his sister, Mary Escobar, of Gilroy, Ca.

He was a parishioner of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, and also supported St. Mary's School and Notre Dame High School in Salinas where his daughters attended school.

Funeral Mass will be held, January 17th, 2022 at 12:00 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 11 First Street, Gilroy, CA.  Visitation will begin at 4pm with recitation of the Rosary at 6:00pm, at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 4th Street, Gilroy, CA.

Graveside service and interment will be January 18, 2022 at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, in Santa Clara, Ca.  Please send any donations to Bonita Springs Hospice Care, 8545 Monterey Street, Suite B, Gilroy, CA 95020