Harold E. Andersen

Harold E. Andersen, 89, passed away peacefully on Sept. 24 at St. Patrick’s Hospital. He was born Dec. 17, 1922 in Bredette, Montana to Anton A. and Jessie M. Andersen and was the eldest of six children. The family moved to the Mission Valley in 1937 following severe Dust Bowl challenges in Eastern Montana. In 1942, he married his wife of 63 years, Patricia D. Mitchell. His parents, wife, grandson Jeffrey Parker-Slater, and sisters Evelyn Andersen and Pauline Bingham preceded him in death. He is survived by brother Burton (Becky) Andersen, sisters Elaine Fugatt and June (Wayne) Stromme; his three children, Jackie (Gerald) Simmons, JoAnn (Mike) Marmon, and Alan Andersen; six grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and six great, great grandchildren plus numerous nieces and nephews. His many extended family friends also affectionately referred to him as “Pappy A.” He was the owner/operator of Andersen Backhoe Service for over 35 years and enjoyed passing on some of his skills to family members. He also had a dairy farm as a young man; worked as a service station attendant for Arnie’s Texaco and Stanley Scearce Services, and was a seasonal firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service. He enjoyed farming and raising livestock and especially was tenderhearted to small abandoned wild animals and birds. After suffering a head injury from a vehicle accident at age 83, he was able to continue staying in his home enjoying family, friends, and animals with the help of oldest granddaughter Toni (Dan) Downey and her family as his caregivers. He will be fondly remembered as an extrovert with a fun-loving sense of humor; a hard worker who took pride in his work; and a generous family man with a gift of hospitality. He enjoyed gardening and working in his shop as well as inventing ways to make his many projects easier to manage. The “put-put” of his John Deere tractors was a sound he delighted to share. He was an active charter member of the Garden of the Rockies Museum. League bowling, Moose Club activities, water skiing, and snowmobiling were interests in his early years. With wife Patsy, he enjoyed the Ronan Senior Citizens Center activities. Memories of family connections to Faith Lutheran Church and old time gospel music were important to him when his dancing days slowed down. A memorial service will be held Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Ronan with graveside services at Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of Shrider-Thompson Mortuary. Luncheon will then be held at the Valley Club. Memorials can be sent to Garden of the Rockies Museum if desired.