Edwina 'Spike' Anderson
MISSOULA — Edwina "Spike" Anderson, age: "none of yer business" (per Spike's orders) began what she recently called "the best cruise of her life," Tuesday Aug. 22, 2006. After doing battle with three different types of cancer, back to back, she finally came to rest in her "happy place" overlooking Flathead Lake.
Her strong will and "never give up attitude" prevailed till the end. Spike will be joining her husband Bob Sr. and her eldest son John on her next wonderful adventure.
The first of three, born to Vernie and Herb Hayes, Spike led an active and fun life. Born in St. Ignatius, May 3, 19??, as a child, Spike often remembered picking Bitterroots with the Salish by their tipis near the present Boyce Lumber Company in Missoula. During her school years, she became a "star" softball player. The family has numerous Missoulian articles of her accomplishments and success as a pitcher. Her style prompted her dad to coin the nickname "Spike."
After meeting and being swept off her feet by Bob Anderson, Sr., they married Aug. 19,1945, and later began their family. While Bob was working hard building Gull Boats, Spike raised and loved her family. She never missed one of their sporting or school events. With five boys and one girl, (all rascals), she definitely earned the title "Super Mom."
Life was full of hard work, summers at Flathead, winter ski trips, and never ending involvement with her family. Later, she spent 20 years on their ranch, "The Andyrosa," at the upper end of Miller Creek, raising horses, cattle and enjoying all of her other pets that she loved so dearly. The last several years were spent at her lake home on the golf course in Polson. She loved her golf game and especially all of her dearest friends who are too numerous to name. (But her special foursome knows who they are).
With her deep compassion and understanding towards others, she was easy to get to know and very hard not to love. Spike had a wonderful life, one which all would dream of.
Spike is survived by her most prized possessions, her children: Bob Jr. and Coleen, Denny and Becky, Michael and Kathryn, Kris, Kim and Tom Lewis and her dog Charlie. The light of her life were her grandchildren: Zeke, Brian and Kyle, Karly and Alex, Michela and Erik, Linda Mae and Nikki, Shaun and Jessica.
Her family would like to give a special thank you to her caregiver, Denise Touchette and Kathie Folts from St. Joseph's Partners in Home Health Care.
Funeral services will be held where she and Bob were wed 61 years ago at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 202 Brooks Street in Missoula, today (Thursday, Aug. 31), at 3 p.m.
Due to her love of all animals, the family requests all donations be sent to The Mission Valley Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 1644, Polson, MT 59860.
"Ta, Ta… We love you, Mom."