Mary Ann Andersen

Mary Ann Andersen

 Mary Ann Andersen, age 95, passed away August 27, 2024, in Billings, Montana of natural causes. She spent most of her married life in Missoula Montana.

She was born in Northfield, Minnesota on August 10, 1929, to Gladys Keever Lewis and William Lewis. Softball, singing, majorette activities and ice-skating kept her busy. To earn money for school she worked in a bakery. She grew up and graduated from high school there. She also graduated from Mankato Teachers College in Mankato, Minnesota. 

While working in Yellowstone Park during the summer she met the love of her life. She married Dale H Andersen in Northfield, Minnesota on December 21, 1952. Yellowstone Park became a sacred family place because, as they say, “That’s where it all began”.

They lived in several places including Ennis, Montana and Ogden, Utah where she taught school. Then they went to Ephrata, Washington to farm with Dale’s brother Bob. While living in Ephrata two girls Suzy and Heidi were born to Dale and Mary Ann. Dale soon discovered the heat of the Columbia Basin didn’t agree with him, so he procured a job at a church farm in Florida. On the way to Florida, he broke down in Missoula, Montana and never left.

While in Missoula, Mark and Marie were born. Dale eventually purchased an excavation business from his boss, Len Crumb. Mary Ann was Dale’s “right hand man”. She helped by securing excavation permits, filling out applications, and completing multiple details pertaining to the running of the business.

She volunteered as an election judge, March of Dimes officer and PTA member. She was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints doing volunteer work. In the women’s’ relief society organization she was president multiple times, was a chorister and sang in the choir, directed the church library and was president of a youth group. 

She liked baking, cooking, traveling, singing and serving others. For birthdays she liked decorating cakes. Her favorite treat was fudge. Often, she entered baked items for the fair and won. Watching horse races was a favorite activity. When it was dinner time Mom rang her dinner bell so the kids would come running. Her children gave her a parakeet for Mother’s Day which she graciously received and loved. Herme was allowed to fly free in the house.

 She was generous, patient, reliable, dedicated and had a good sense of humor. Her love for people and animals was evident to all. Her gentle spirit calmed others around her. Mary Ann kept confidences and didn’t gossip. She was generous with encouragement, comfort and listening. She wasn’t judgmental. Her ability to include and accept others was well-known. She took care of her mother in later years. 

Often, we’d have different people stay with us who were in distress or needed temporary refuge. Her supply of birthday and sympathy cards was huge because she frequently celebrated and comforted others. Her thoughtfulness made a difference to many.

For ten years she was secretary at the LDS Institute for college students. Part of her responsibility was to operate the Friday Feed and Forum which required making a meal for hungry students which she relished as did they. Her chili, cornbread and baked potato bar were favorites.

Mom was very satisfied when all her children received college degrees. She emphasized the importance of reading and took her children to the library regularly. She gave grandchildren books frequently to help them love reading. Current events discussions interested her. When the newspaper arrived, she read every single word.

Favorite shows included “Gunsmoke”, “Murder She Wrote”, “Wheel of Fortune”, “Jeopardy”, “Little House on the Prairie”, British comedies, “Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines”, “Sound of Music”, “Ed Sullivan”, “It’s a Wonderful Life”, etc.

Mary Ann traveled to Bulgaria, Turkey, Tanzania, Canada and Alaska. The family loved driving in search of wildlife. Her safari to Africa was one of her life’s highlights.

Mary Ann sang and danced with Dale throughout their lives together. He’d make pie or cake requests for his birthday, and she’d whip them up happily. On trips the whole family would sing and crack jokes. Holidays were never missed by Mary Ann. Making May Day baskets was a tradition of service. She liked to grow small cucumbers and sold them to a small market. Spending time at the Missoula Farmer’s Market was something she looked forward to.

She was preceded in her death by her husband Dale H Andersen, parents William and Gladys Keever Lewis and brother William (Bill). Survivors include a brother Nicholas Lewis of Los Angeles, California and a sister, Mona Eastman of Minneapolis, Minnesota, daughters Suzy Andersen of Fairfax, Virginia, Heidi Croker of Billings, Montana, Marie Andersen of Missoula and a son, Mark Andersen (Laurie) Rexburg, Idaho. She has seven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.